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NavSource Online: Army Ship Photo Archive

City of Memphis

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Campaign Medal

Sidewheel Steamer/Hospital Boat

Built in 1857 by George Cunningham at Monongahela, PA.

Her cabins, engine and upper works were from the Crystal Palace

Sold to CAPT. William J. Kuntz, she began working in the St. Louis-New Orleans trade.

In April 1862 she was acquired by the Sanitary Commission and converted into a hospital boat

Turned over to the US Army, she carried sick and wounded troops from Fort Donelson to St. Louis and as well as three trips to Keokuk

Retired from US Army service, date unknown

Sold in November 1862 to CAPT. John Bofinger, she again entered the St. Louis-New Orleans trade

City of Memphis boilers exploded, 31 May 1866, thirty miles below Memphis with loss of eleven lives

Final Disposition, towed to St. Louis for dismantling

Specifications:

Displacement unknown

Length unknown

Beam unknown

Extreme Width including paddlewheels unknown

Draft unknown

Speed unknown

Patient Capacity unknown

Medical Staff unknown

Crew size unknown

Propulsion:

boiler(s)

steam engine(s)

two Sidewheels

Click on thumbnail for full size image	Size	Image Description		Source
30082001	151k	Drawing of *City of Memphis* underway. (A note of interest - Mark Twain worked as pilot aboard the City of Memphis) University of Wisconsin-Madison LaCrosse Historic Steamboat Photographs collection		John Spivey

There is no history available at Navsource for City of Memphis

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 9 January 2026