David Swain News - The Waterways Journal

Roosevelt Rode The Str. Mississippi No. 1

Old Boat Column

Roosevelt Rode The Str. Mississippi No. 1

March 22, 2021

In 1907, the steamer Mississippi led a parade of steamboats into Memphis with a special guest aboard. After spending the entire day of October 2 in St. Louis, President Teddy… Read More

The Julia Belle Swain The excursion steamer Julia Belle Swain at a landing. (Keith Norrington collection)

The Julia Belle Swain

October 7, 2019

Built in 1913 at Santa Rosa, Fla., the unique sidewheeler Julia Belle Swain was originally the Charles E. Cessna, named for a Chicago physician. The riverboat was designed to run… Read More