P A Denny for sale

Here is a link to the Charleston Gazette story: P.A. Denny

Less than a year ago, in October, we had a great time hosting the P.A. Denny and crew at our landing. It was a very memorable occasion here that probably won't be topped. I sincerely hope she finds a good home and keeps running as an excursion boat.

Wow guys,

What a sad story about the first boat I ever earned a paycheck on!

With the sole exception of the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE the first 4 boats I worked on are either gone, tied to the bank, or poised for the torch! All in a period of 4 years!

What I'd give to make a dream come true and buy the DENNY! If I had the money, I'd have her on the way here as this is written.

One time, many years ago (December 1999), I remember sitting in her pilothouse coming down the Kanawha River with Capt. Todd Mace steering and Margaret Grassie sitting with me on the bench talking about how we'd all turn the DENNY into a houseboat. We all seemed to want to air condition her. The second deck was gonna be one huge bedroom with a smaller one in the front. The space on the second deck stern was gonna be covered with a canopy and be a back porch of sorts. We dreamed big with budgets that would embarrass about every well heeled yachtsman out there. Everyone EXCEPT me was gonna trash the calliope and put a hot tub up there in it's place! I well you know I told them both I was gonna win the lottery first and make sure the calliope was saved! You all know where MY priorities are! We laughed and said the first one to win gets her. Every ticket I buy has the DENNY's name on it!

I should check mine from last night right now!

Travis

Didn't win this game...maybe on Saturday?

Thinkin' 'bout my younger days along the Charleston shore,
I long to see that riverboat go gliding past once more!
West Virginia's callin' me, why did I ever roam?
Let's buy the P.A. Denny and go paddlewheelin' home.

I think the city should give money to the Charleston convention and visitors bureau to buy, repair and operate the Denny, put it back in service on the Kanawha and Ohio rivers. I know this will get mixed reviews on this idea and I have had a hard time swallowing a name change of my favorite boat, but how would it sound as the "Oscar Nelson Jones"

All,

For years now there has been talk about BB Riverboats opening a WV operation. With the Denny's established history with the region along with it's previous ownership/ties there it seems like a natural choice. I question whether the market is strong enough in Charleston alone. I think a boat would have to tramp to Huntington, Ironton, Portsmouth, etc. to be profitable there. There are many river people, some no longer with us, although associated with the Denny, who would smile down on your suggested name change. I'd like to suggest just "Captain Nelson Jones" though. Your ideas for Charleston to make the purchase are good, however Charleston politicians sound like what ended Nelson's involvement in the very regatta he helped create, so I question whether they would get it, as far as owning an operating this historic sentimental sternwheeler. Just my thoughts.

Aaron

Jazzou,

That sounds like the lyrics of a song. If they aren't, they should be! He, he, he!!!

Tom,

I love the idea of changing her name...and after Capt. Nelson, what a perfect idea! If operated and managed right, the boat could go a long way towards carrying his legacy forward to many generations who could learn the river from him...just like so many of us who did and are so appreciative! Like Aaron said, i am afraid that the City of Charleston would just (insert your favourite disgusting four letter explative here) ....mess it up and the boat would be in worse shape in a couple of years if not sooner. Look below for my idea.

Aaron,

I love BB Riverboats and am very pleased with what Capt Alan Bernstein has done with his operation. He has some beautiful vessels! I ride his boats at least two or more times a year both down here in Louisville and up in Cinti. However, I can't agree with you on this one. The DENNY isn't a normal excursion boat. She wouldn't survive as a modern excursion operation. She needs to be what she is...a throwqback experience unlike any other excursion boat out there!

She needs the attention that people who KNOW sternwheelers and appreciate them can give her. My suggestion is pretty involved. I feel bad putting it out publically like this in this kind of forum. But here goes....

I would like to see her purchased by a non-profit put together by the employees of Madison Coal and Supply Company. They know the boat, they know sternwheelers, and they have the love of these boats. With Capt. Robyn Jones-Strickland running things, a crew of Madison Coal employees, and a really good Advance Agent...the boat could survive in better shape than it has known in several years! They have the contacts and knowledge to get people to the boat. they also know where the boat could go to make money. Not to mention they have the facilities to take care of her with in their organization and could write off her operation/maintenance as a non-profit museum operational subsidiary. I imagine they would partner with the Point Pleasant River Museum as a part of this operation, too. I can see how she could operate at many ports through out the year....not just Charleston. Point Pleasant, Huntington, Portsmouth, Pomeroy, St. Albans, Marietta, maybe even Wheeling...not to mention the bergs and landings in between.

Then if I win the lottery, I'd have to build my own boat! I'd gladly do it if that beautiful Ward-built boat could soldier on and teach further generations the love of the river she has brought to so many! Maybe if they need a calliope player.....

Travis

Step Up to the Plate...

Lottery- Smoddery. I really wonder who would be willing to do what it takes to make a boat like the DENNY work... even if it was running? When I took that boat out of the boatyard, and it was brand-new, the season went from early Spring, or earlier, until the snow flew without a day off until the second season when Captain Bert Shearer relieved me a few times a year. At the end of both seasons, I was so exhausted and stressed that I had to be treated for hives caused by the constant strain of operating seven days a weeks for months on end. Two years was enough of that, but before I left I had Tony Harrison trained well-enough that he got his license, and Todd Mace was not far behind. Little Tommy Price, my Cub, eventually became Captain when he grew up. To make the DENNY work, again, it would take a crew willing to dedicate everything possible to the mission. That said--- who is willing to step forward and take ownership?

Any Pictures Or Surveys ??

Captain Don ,
First of all , thanks for your comments concerning the plight of the P.A. Denny and would you have any pictures or current surveys of the boat ?
Thanks for all your help with this project !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson

Shipyard Sam;22995 wrote: Lottery- Smoddery. I really wonder who would be willing to do what it takes to make a boat like the DENNY work... even if it was running? When I took that boat out of the boatyard, and it was brand-new, the season went from early Spring, or earlier, until the snow flew without a day off until the second season when Captain Bert Shearer relieved me a few times a year. At the end of the season, I was so exhausted and stressed that I had to be treated for hives caused by the constant strain of operating seven days a weeks for months on end. Two years was enough of that, but before I left I had Tony Harrison trained well-enough that he got his license, and Todd Mace was not far behind. Little Tommy Price, my Cub, eventually became Captain. To make the DENNY work, again, it would take a crew willing to dedicate everything they had to the mission, and who is willing to step forward and take ownership?

Noooooo....., but I think you are on the right track. Maybe Travis, "Whistleman", Tom, or Jazzo might help here. As the first Captain of the PAD, no one would be more eager to see the boat saved... and, if so, she could earn her keep.

Who can see if there is a current marine survey on the DENNY, and who can get some good shots of the boat as she looks now? This is the time to really do something.

I have put serious thought behind this. We lost the DQ, AQ and MQ, I know we have the Belle and BB riverboats, but this is this is the "DENNY" I have a business plan and would love to make it happen. I was in Charleston and spoke to Mr. Charlie Jones at Nelsons service. The Denny was at Henderson. I went to Pt Pleasant for a day trip, I should have looked in on her, I did not. I see the Denny working the Charleston market, Memorial day time of year then tramp, back in July for the 4th then tramp and back for the end of summer, Labor day, then on the way to Marrietta.

Let's See ...

There is the makings for something serious here, and what, I think, needs to be done is to get some like-minded heads together and form a team. The PAD is "do-able", but like Travis, I would need to win the lottery to finance the project, myself. But, there is a lot of talent just in the names posted on this thread, and with the right $$ the DENNY can be purchased, repaired, and back on the river for another generation. What made the DENNY work was not only a dedicated crew, over the years, but it had the financial support of Cappy Lawson Hamilton who kept the boat operating in the memory of his friend, Pete Denny. I sorta think that should Mr. Jones, in some supporting way, become involved, he would want to keep the original name of the excursion boat, but he would appreciate the sentiments expressed here honoring his son. When I was in the metals recycling bizz, an expression we often used would be appropriate here:

"Let's see what happens."

I am not sure who is "selling" the Denny. If it is a for profit sale I think it should be questioned. If the $75,000.00 is to pay back taxes or some type of cost associated with the boat that is one thing, however if it is for a profit I have a problem as the Denny was donated at no cost by Lawson.

Where is the PAD located right now? Im tying up some loose ends here in Va. and in another month or so I'll be free as a bird to do whatever I please. Nothing Id like better than to get back on the river and on a boat. For the time being Id be willing to do it for room and board. I dont really have any money to put into it but I do have the time and a few skills and most importantly the freedom and enthusiasm I had when I stepped on the first Boat I ever worked on in 1977 as well as a bit more knowledge then I had back then. So if anybody is serious about this venture Im up for it.

Denny Photos

Hello! This is my first post on the board. I am located a few miles from where the Denny is resting. I can get on the boat and get photos in a few days if anyone would like to see what she looks like right now. Please post and let me know.
Roy

Roy,

I would love to see how she is doing! The boat has always been a favourite of mine and it just killed me I didn't get to get aboard her last fall when she was in Louisville. I did get to see her running last fall...and that meant alot!

If you can get aboard, the things I want to see the most are the engine room, pilothouse, hull (interior if possible), and calliope.

Travis

Travis, can you please contact me off list at 304-593-8134. If no answer please leave a messege and I will return your call.
Thanks
Roy

I was informed today that an offer of $60,000 has been made and accepted for the P.A. Denny. The deal has not been finalized, but it is expected to go through with no problems.

The perspective buyer asked for information on the bid for repairing the hull, but not to have her certified for passengers. The soon-to-be new owner plans to use her as a liveaboard.

I'm sorry to hear that the PAD will not continue as an excursion boat. Hopefully she is going to a good home.

It is truly a sad day to see another of our great boats taken from us. One can only hope she is taken care of and preserved for further generations to enjoy, if only from a far. It is high time we get some good news out here on the rivers. Anyone know of any at all?

Travis

Good news

The NATCHEZ has been running her full schedule and has turned a profit this year. The BELLE's ridership is up a third this year after adding air conditioning. These two steamboats tend to get overlooked since they are 'only' excursion boats, not overnighters, but they are alive and well and deserving of our support too.

Has anyone heard who purchased the Denny?

Not a peep...hopefully something will surface on her future soon!

PAD Sold. Sounds like good news!

According to this article, the Denny will be repaired and continue as an excursion boat: Sternwheeler P.A. Denny sold, home port to be determined* - News - The Charleston Gazette