Monongahela River Consolidated Coal & Coke Company News

50 Years Ago Aboard The Str. Sprague

Old Boat Column

50 Years Ago Aboard The Str. Sprague

June 21, 2019

It hardly seems possible that five decades have passed since this writer, as a 15-year-old, first visited the famous steam towboat Sprague in June of 1969. I shall never forget… Read More

The Towboat Oakland The towboat Oakland at the dedication of Ohio River Lock and Dam 11 on July 6, 1911. (Keith Norrington collection)

The Towboat Oakland

July 6, 2018

In the glory days of steam towboating, one of the best vessels of that era was the Oakland. Built at Pittsburgh in 1872 by Capt. Tom Fawcett and Capt. William… Read More

Voyage From Vicksburg The retired steamer Sprague being moved from its Vicksburg landing on March 26, 1959. (Keith Norrington collection)

Nearly six decades ago today, on March 26, 1959, the 318-foot long steamer Sprague embarked on a journey from Vicksburg, Miss. The retired riverboat became a tourist attraction in 1948,… Read More