The steamboat, J.W. SPENCER, was a sidewheel ferryboat and was built in 1882 at the Howard Yard in Jeffersonville, Indiana. She was built for Mr. Thomas J. Robinson of Rock Island, Illinois and named for Mr. John W. Spencer (Robinson's late partner in the Spencer-Robinson Ferry Co.) It was 131' long, 35' wide and drew 5' of water. The SPENCER ran as a ferryboat between Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa from 1882 until 1894. She was then sold to interests in the St. Louis area where she also operated as a ferryboat. It is presumed that the J.W. Spencer was operating on the Missouri River, particularly in the Jefferson City area somewhere around 1895 and after. There is no known record of her after 1896.

This is a photo of the J.W. Spencer steamboat operating as a ferry in the Jefferson City area on the Missouri River. This image is taken from a scan of an 8" X 10" Glass Plate negative taken by B.F. Oliver, photographer, in approximately 1895. The J.W. Spencer is thought to be banked on the North side of the Missouri River, just West of Jefferson City. Two water towers or smokestacks seen in the background are thought to be the water tower West of the bridge and a smokestack in Mill Bottom of Jefferson City. It is also thought that the Old State Capitol and the Missouri State Prison can be observed in the background.

The photo "Sunday Dress Pose" is available in a ready for frame photo-print from the original master scan sized 12" tall x18" wide. You may view the framed version of this print in the "Show" section of this website.