The Dravo Contracting Company was justifiably proud of the towboat Wm. Penn that the company had built for the Dravo subsidiary Union Barge Line (UBL) in 1940. In the September… 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.
Those who peruse the Missouri River Daily Boat Report put out Monday through Friday by the Corps of Engineers noticed something curious in mid-May. A little digging, research of the… Read More
This column is being written as we observe Memorial Day and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. A photo recently shared with me prompted the… Read More
Since the Inland Marine Expo (IMX) produced by The Waterways Journal is taking place in Nashville, Tenn., this week, this column will detail a boat that was built there. This… Read More
Since this is the IMX issue, it is appropriate to feature a boat that has ties to the host city of Nashville, Tenn. The boat selected was not built at… Read More
The 1930s saw great technological advancement in the river industry, and in towboat construction in particular. Steam was still predominant for large boats, but diesel power was becoming more prevalent. Read More
The Reconstruction Finance Corporation was established in 1932 by the Hoover administration to help fight the Great Depression. At the outbreak of World War II, it became a part of… Read More
As detailed in this column when writing about the 300 hp. Senator Combs in the October 10, 2022, issue of The Waterways Journal, Ashland Oil & Refining Company came into… Read More
There have been four towboats operating on the Great Kanawha River bearing the name Iron Duke. The first of these was built in 1875, and it was a wood-hull, steam-prop… Read More
In thinking about this special Fleeting & Harbor Services issue, a particular boat came to mind. This boat was the first vessel for a family that initiated a fleeting and… Read More
