W.A. Shepard News - The Waterways Journal

The W.A. Shepard Helped Start Three Barge Lines

Old Boat Column

The W.A. Shepard Helped Start Three Barge Lines

November 14, 2025

As often mentioned in this column, the Charles Ward Engineering Works, Charleston, W.Va., was an early proponent of both tunnel stern prop-driven towboats as well as boats powered by diesel… Read More

The W.C. Kelly, Vanguard Of A Major Barge Line As the Flavia. (Dan Owen Boat Photo Museum collection)

The W.C. Kelly, Vanguard Of A Major Barge Line

June 12, 2023

Last week in the June 5, 2023, issue of The Waterways Journal, it was noted in the “This Week (From back issues of the WJ)” column that 100 years… Read More

The Geo. T. Price Was The First Diesel Line-Haul Towboat The Geo. T. Price was generally regarded as the first diesel line-haul towboat. (Photo by Bill Judd)

The Geo. T. Price was generally regarded as the first diesel line-haul towboat. (Photo by Bill Judd)

The Geo. T. Price Was The First Diesel Line-Haul Towboat

April 21, 2021

The Charles Ward Engineering Works, Charleston, W.Va., was a pioneer in the advent of the screw propeller as a means of providing thrust to towing vessels. The James Rumsey,… Read More