Rivermen on the Upper Ohio were scratching their heads somewhat over some recent interesting vessel name changes. In order to tell which was which, it was almost like the old… Read More
Old Boat Column
A look back into the rich history of the inland waterways transportation industry. From the earliest steam paddlewheelers to the grand sternwheel and sidewheel packets, and the eventual transition from steam to diesel, you’ll find fascinating stories and photos of a different steamboat every week.
While attending and participating in the very enjoyable 2025 IMX in Nashville, I was talking with Zac Metcalf, the associate publisher of The Waterways Journal. We were standing outside the… Read More
Innovation has always been prevalent in the river industry. Some ideas have been highly successful and widely accepted while others did not pan out. In the May 17, 1941, issue… Read More
Since the popular Inland Marine Expo will take place May 28–30 in Nashville, Tenn., it is only fitting that the “old boat” this week is a Nashville product. The Nashville… Read More
This column detailed the steamer Wm. Edenborn in the April 28 issue of The Waterways Journal. In conducting research on another vessel, I came across some new information that warrants… Read More
This column has often referenced St. Louis Shipbuilding & Steel Company, which was established by Herman Pott and others in 1933. The shipyard occupied the site of the former Rohan… Read More
As with the last column, a photo shared by a friend recently stirred many memories. It was of a vessel headed to a final resting place after a long career… Read More
There are times when a single photo can cause a flood of memories to wash through the mind. This happened recently with a photo depicting a partially beached hull with… Read More
One of my favorite quotes about the passage of time is from the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” “Life moves pretty fast,” Bueller says. “If you don’t stop and look… Read More
In 1952, there were still many steam towboats roaming the Western Rivers of the United States. American Barge Line had seven in its fleet, all DPC prop steamers built during… Read More
