A familiar sight in the St. Louis harbor for nearly seven decades was the steam tug Susie Hazard. Built in 1891 at St. Louis for the Southern Coal,… Read More
Ruth Ferris
More than six decades ago, the most powerful towboat ever built to operate on inland waters was christened by the Federal Barge Line. Constructed by the St. Louis Shipbuilding… Read More
Originally named Irene D, this former rafter was built in 1888 at Rock Island, Ill. It was constructed on a wooden hull that measured 133.5 feet in length by… Read More
As we approach the 25th anniversary of the passing of St. Louis’ beloved river historian, Ruth Ferris (1897–1993), it also marks a five-decade milestone of this writer’s first meeting with… 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
With the WJ’s “View from the wheelhouse” special issue this week, the Old Boat Column is featuring a unique pilothouse vignette. Seven decades ago, following the May 1947… Read More
Dan Owen, otherwise known as the “High Mate,” passed away last week at the age of 79. Already the tributes are coming in, with friends using phrases like “unfillable… Read More
