Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
DONNA MAE
DONNA MAE. In 1956 preceding the effort of Robert KEHL, Dubuque entered the excursion boat trade with the "Donna Mae" and the "Little Julie" which was a smaller version of the JULIE N. DUBUQUE. Built in 1933 by the Holstrom Transportation Company, the refitted boat owned by River Excursions had the capacity of carrying 232 passengers.
The boat was sold in the spring of 1960 to the Yankton Boat Company and left Dubuque on April 11th. The 1,200 mile voyage to South Dakota left it moored above Gavin's Point dam on the Missouri River.
In 1961 following its summer season, the boat was sunk at its moorings by vandals. Previously several teenagers had attempted to untie the vessel. The owners said the boat would be raised. (1)
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Source:
1. "Vandals Sink Donna Mae in South Dakota," Telegraph-Herald, November 28, 1961, p. 3