Topic starter
31/05/2007 4:12 pm
Dear ORG friends,
Does anyone remember the small towboat, -LITTLE HAM-? She was built and launched at JEFFBOAT, on December 13, 1945. Her picture is on the cover of an old copy of the publication, -JEFFBOAT- It's dated February 1946. I found it in an old collection of my Dads river boat mrmorabilla. She was built for the Ohio River Sand Company of Louisville Ky. She was powered by a 100 H.P. Diesel, and had a new rudder design by a Mr. R.N. Coolidge of Nashville, Tenn. I'm wondering if she could still be operating today, somewhere on the river system. The article states that she was christened by Mrs. Phil Comstock. Daughter of Mrs. Hamilton Duffy, President of the Ohio River Sand Company.
-Frank Grimm-
Jeffersonville, IN
31/05/2007 4:53 pm
Frank,
The 1949 Inland River Record says:
LITTLE HAM
Diesel towboat, steel hull, single prop. b. Jeffersonville, Ind., by Jeffersonville Boat and Machine Co., 1945. 50 x 12 x 5.5. Cummins Diesel 200 hp. placed in 1947. Nashville tunnel stern design by R. N. Coolidge. Named for Capt. Ham Duffy's grandson. Owned by Ohio River Sand & Gravel Co, Louisville.
I traced the boat up thru the years, and in 1963 it was repowered with a 340 hp Cummins D-342 diesel. It continued on at Ohio River Sand & Gravel until it was sold in 1982. The 1985 IRR says the buyer was identified as B&B Transportation, Madison Indiana, address unknown. At this point the boat goes off the record.
I think I know one of the "B"s of B&B Transportation. His name is Bernie Breeck. He still lives in Madison and stops by the house every now and then. If I see him, I will ask about the LITTLE HAM.
31/05/2007 7:38 pm
31/05/2007 7:41 pm
Boat History
The M/V Little Ham tended the stone dock at Utica, IN for years. It was a fixture. Sold in 1982 to B& B ( Bolton & Breeck). Sold in 1985 to Capt. Steve Todd in Warsaw, Ky. Steve was Capt. John Beattys grandson-in-law. Sold in 1994 to Capt. Ken Joseph's Greenup Marine Services and for ten years worked the fleets above and below Greenup Dam. In 2004, the boat was hauled ashore at the Superior Marine yard at mile 315, South Point, OH. At first was to be rebuilt and then the idea was abandoned. AS of six months ago it was still sitting in the yard surrounded by weeds.
31/05/2007 8:01 pm
Well I guess we really "nailed" the history on that boat! Bill, thanks for covering the history on it since 1985. I've added that info to my files..
Topic starter
01/06/2007 5:30 am
Dear Bill,
Thanks for responding to my inquirey about the -LITTLE HAM-. It's good to know she had a long working life. Sad to learn that she is on land, surrounded by weeds. Hopefully someone will rescue her, restore her, and give her a new life. Better still,wouldn't it be great if the owner's would donate her to the Howard Steamboat Museum, and send her home. Maybe Keith could present this idea to the members there at the museum. Thanks to all who responded with all the good information.
- Frank G.-