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
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.
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
A vintage postcard view, circa 1906, of the Howard Shipyard and mansion. (Keith Norrington collection) Six decades ago this week, on May 18, 1958, the Howard National Steamboat… 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
This week, the Old Boat Column presents two images of Upper Ohio River packet boats that are part of a photo collection generously given to this writer by the… Read More