These biographical and historical sketches are highlights of Missouri history. Many sketches are from Missouri, Day by Day , published by the State Historical Society of Missouri in 1942. Links are to related primary sources at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection on the four campuses of the University of Missouri system.
Previous sketches are also available.
October 12, 1861. . . At the Mississippi river port of Carondelet, now a part of the city of St. Louis, the Baron DeKalb , first iron-clad gunboat, skidded into the river, October 12, 1861. Taking part in the ceremony was its builder, James Buchanan Eads. The DeKalb was originally christened the St. Louis , but when the river fleet was transferred from the jurisdiction of the War Department to the Navy, it was changed because another boat already bore the name St. Louis. Eads' bid was accepted.