George Collier (steamboat)

The George Collier was a wooden-hulled sternwheel steamboat that operated on the Upper Missouri River in the late 19th century. Built in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1879, the George Collier was specifically designed for the shallow, snag-filled waters of the Missouri River trade. It was owned and operated by the Coulson Line, a prominent steamboat company engaged in freight and passenger transport between Bismarck, Dakota Territory, and Fort Benton, Montana. The vessel played a crucial role in supplying military posts, trading posts, and burgeoning settlements along the Upper Missouri. Notable for its size and capacity, the George Collier contributed significantly to the economic development of the region during its operational years. It was eventually lost due to an accident on the Missouri River. The exact date and cause of its loss vary depending on the source, but it typically involved striking a snag or other submerged obstruction.