Vapor-Phase Cooling Introduced To The Rivers
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, several towboats in the 3,000 hp. class were built with hulls that were relatively wide for their somewhat short length. This was done so that the boats could lock on the end of certain tows as a straight single in 600-foot lock chambers. This column has detailed some of these and, this week, will look at another that even introduced some innovation to the rivers.
As mentioned previously in this column, Streett Towing Company was formed in 1943 as a partnership by Harper C. Patton, Kenneth C. Baker and Rolla W. Streett to move petroleum products for J.D. Streett & Company of St. Louis, which itself dates to 1884. Streett Towing initially bought two small boats and six tank barges from Eddie Erlbacher of Cape Girardeau, Mo. In 1944, the 1,000 hp. Locke Tarlton (The Waterways Journal April 13, 2024) was purchased from the Missouri-Illinois Materials Company and renamed Zephyr, which was the Streett brand of gasoline. In 1946, the company took delivery of a brand-new towboat from St. Louis Shipbuilding & Steel Company that was quite unique and named Havana Zephyr (WJ January 12, 2026).
By 1949, Streett had expanded to the point that the fleet included four towboats and many barges. The July 16, 1949, issue of the WJ introduced the newest towing vessel that had been built expressly for Streett. The article began, “One of the most outstanding river towboats in recent years was christened in St. Louis on June 22. Designed and built for the Streett Towing Company by the St. Louis Shipbuilding and Steel Company, both companies located in St. Louis, the new St. Louis Zephyr embodies the very latest in river towboat design in appearance, equipment and machinery.”
The St. Louis Zephyr was described as the first towboat on the river system to use a Vapor-Phase cooling system. This was a closed system where water “flashed into steam” and was then condensed and recirculated through the system. Among other advantages, this was designed to eliminate water condensing on the cylinder walls of the engine and transferring to the crank case, diluting the lubricating oils. It was also said to extend the life of cylinder sleeves and pistons.
The new boat had a hull that was 45 feet wide, but only 118 feet long “to permit single locking in a standard 600-foot lock with the towboat and four 240-foot-long barges.” The streamlined cabin of the vessel contained quarters for 14 people, as well as galley, dining room and lounge areas on lower and upper decks.
The main engines were two National Supply Company Superior eight-cylinder Model 80-MX-8 direct-reversing diesels, each developing 1,440 hp. at 360 rpm. There were no reduction gears, and the engines were coupled straight to shafts turning 80-inch, three-bladed cast steel propellers manufactured by St. Louis Ship. The boat was also fitted with the St. Louis Ship patented “Contra-Guide” steering rudders, said to “increase the towing efficiency between 8 to 10 per cent.”
The St. Louis Zephyr had been christened by Mrs. Harper C. Patton, wife of the Streett president. Other members of the christening party had included St. Louis Ship president Herman Pott and Mrs. Pott, Kenneth C. Baker, Streett vice president, and Mrs. Baker. After entering service, the boat was often depicted in ads in the WJ for Streett Towing, St. Louis Ship and National Supply Company.
In January 1963, the boat was repowered with a pair of Superior “supercharged” eight-cylinder engines that developed 3,400 hp. at 360 rpm. In February 1972, it was sold to Comet River Company, Cincinnati, a subsidiary of Tresler Oil Company. Tresler was acquired by Ashland Oil, Inc. and the St, Louis Zephyr was operated under charter by a third party until Ashland decided to place a crew of its own on it. In 1976-77, Capt. Max English was the master of the boat with Capt. Russell Bush as relief master. Thomas A. DeHart was often aboard as chief engineer.
After a lengthy layup, it was sold in February 1978 to Pushak Towing, Inc., Evans City, Pa., and renamed Kelly Lou. In May 1981, it was sold to G&C Towing, Point Pleasant, W.Va., where it was often under the command of Capt. Carl Simpkins. Throughout all ownerships, its radio call sign remained WC 3202. The OFF THE RECORD section of the 1986 Inland River Record had the Kelly Lou as being sold in October 1985 to Finleyville Towing Company, Glenwillard, Pa., and converted to a derrickboat.
Despite that entry, the engines were removed, but the dismantled boat was later taken up the Monongahela River, where it served for a time as a floating church. It was later in the fleet of Pittsburgh Tug Company at South Heights, Pa. The cabin was removed, and the bare hull was later observed by this writer going down past Catlettsburg, Ky., in a tramp tow. If anyone knows the final disposition, please let us know.
