Hank:

Thanks for info, hadn't heard about it. I did run into the fact that Lt. Carter had intended using the machinery from a steamer named the Paul Jones that was sunk with the Charm to block off a subsidiary river. Carter was requesting that they delay the sinking until the machinery could be removed. Most histories say they used the machinery from another boat which I believe was of smaller displacment. The engines used may have been weaker than intended as you indicate. One interesting question is Missouri's endurance under steam. Most river steamers burning wood only carried about one or one and a half days fuel. I read somewhere that Carter asked Gen. Taylor to have his troops collect pine knots for the Missouri. Carter did send out his own agent to try to find sources of coal.