Author: Keith Norrington

As we approach the 25th anniversary of the passing of St. Louis’ beloved river historian, Ruth Ferris (1897–1993), it also marks a five-decade milestone of this writer’s first meeting with… Read More

The seventh documented steamboat to carry the name, the Fashion was built in 1877 at Jeffersonville, Ind., by the Howard Shipyard for a contract cost of $20,714. Constructed on… Read More

Built in 1888 at Haynes Landing, W.Va., the Clipper originated as a “sawmill boat,” constructed by the Haynes family of Proctor, W.Va. When first built, the wood-hulled vessel, owned… Read More

Built in 1872 at Pittsburgh, the Charles Brown was owned by the firm of W.H. Brown & Sons. Constructed on a wooden hull measuring 200 feet in… Read More

The hurricane roof of the City of St. Louis. Note the “chart room” windows at the front of the texas. In last week’s Old Boat Column, we presented… Read More

In honor this week of the fifth anniversary of the WJ’s Inland Marine Expo, the Old Boat Column pays homage to one of many steamboats that carried the name… Read More

Named for Granderson Winfrey Hill, of Alexandria, Mo., this handsome sternwheeler was constructed in 1909 by the Howard Shipyard at Jeffersonville, Ind.; the contract cost was $28,850. Built… Read More

Built at cost of $65,000 by the Pittsburgh firm of James Rees & Sons, the Chickasaw underwent its initial inspection on October 29, 1883. The wooden hull measured 185… Read More

Built at Stillwater, Minn., for Capt. John Kent in 1897, the sternwheeler Gracie Kent was constructed by George Muller on a wooden hull measuring 111 feet in length by… Read More