There have been any number of formulas and theories as to the proper ratio between length and width of boat hulls. In 1901, the Howards built a steam sternwheel towboat… 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.
In 1892, the Huntington & St. Louis Towboat Company had a towboat built at Cincinnati that was named Wash Honshell. The hull was 157 by 28 feet, and the engines… Read More
The Cincinnati, Big Sandy & Pomeroy Packet Company—otherwise known as the White Collar Line owing to the fact that boats owned by the concern sported twin white bands on each… Read More
News that Amherst Madison had recently purchased the Michael J. Grainger and would rename it Ohio brings to mind other vessels named Ohio on the inland rivers. Most recently, of… Read More
Few living within the Big Sandy River valley today could imagine that at one time the best way to travel in the valley was by steamboat. In the late 19th… Read More
The Old Boat Column in The Waterways Journal has been a fixture in the magazine for many years. I’m not sure exactly when it started, but it was an intermittent… Read More
Editor’s note: After more than 10 years of writing weekly articles focusing on steamboats and river history, Keith Norrington is retiring as the author of the WJ’s Old Boat Column. Read More
Editor’s note: Keith Norrington is retiring as Old Boat columnist for The Waterways Journal after a decade of weekly columns. His final column will appear April 4; until then, we… Read More
Editor’s note: Keith Norrington is retiring as Old Boat columnist for The Waterways Journal after a decade of weekly columns. His final column will appear April 4; until then, we… Read More
Editor’s note: Keith Norrington is retiring as Old Boat columnist for The Waterways Journal after a decade of weekly articles. His final column will appear April 4; until then, we… Read More
