The Inland Waterways Corporation (IWC), the barge line chartered by the U.S. government to revitalize river transportation following World War I, was focused on the task and not bound by… 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.
Capt. Vernon Sturgeon, 92, of Paducah, Ky., a longtime towboat captain, died July 13 at Providence Pointe Nursing Home. He started working on the river at 13 and retired as… Read More
When summer sets in on the Upper Ohio River, heat and humidity tend to show up with it. In the pre-air-conditioning days of a bygone era, a favorite way to… Read More
When people hear the word packet, most might envision the splendor of the legendary J.M. White, or the majestic Queen City. However, not all packets were large and palatial. Short-trade… Read More
After a 14-year absence, the Charleston, W.Va., Sternwheel Regatta has returned to the Kanawha River, and it took place over the Fourth of July weekend. The once enormously popular event… Read More
As mentioned in the column last week, Capt. Joseph Chotin wasted no time after the loss of his steamer J.N. Pharr, and almost immediately arranged with the Nashville Bridge Company,… Read More
Capt. Joseph Chotin owned and operated two steam, sternwheel towboats named J.N. Pharr. The first was a wood hull vessel, 115 by 24 feet, that had been built in 1910… Read More
In 1919, the U.S. government entered into a contract with Edward F. Goltra whereby four large towboats and 19 barges were to be built, paid for by the government with… Read More
The Fort Peck Dam on the Missouri River in Montana was authorized by Congress in 1927, and President Franklin Roosevelt signed an executive order in October 1933 under the National… Read More
In the May 23 Old Boat column, we mentioned the Boatyard of the U.S. Engineer Department at Gasconade, Mo., located near present-day Mile 104.8 on the right bank of the… Read More
