Topic starter
01/09/2010 8:04 pm
I just got back on my boat today and we are in drydock at the McGinnis yard at Southpoint, Ohio. I walked over to the drydock where the W.P. Snyder is and walked around the boat this afternoon.
The hull looks like brand new. All the steel that needed replaced has been and she has a very shiny black coating all over, looks great. The thing that surprised me, pleasantly, is that they rebuilt the entire paddlewheel. The only thing that is not new is the steel (shaft, cranks and radials). All the wood has been replaced. It is bare right now, I assume they will paint it before she is back in the water, but it looks really good.
I have some good pictures from the drydock, but I can't post them until I get home in 28 days.
Anyhow, a little good news about a steamboat for once...
John
02/09/2010 2:54 am
I thought it was already back in Marietta. Oh well, at least it has been fixed back up and will be there eventually
02/09/2010 4:39 am
So, some boiler repairs and she could steam back home???
I know, wishful thinkin'
S'
David D.
Topic starter
02/09/2010 5:02 am
You're not far off! Hell, her hull and wheel are in better shape than the towboat I am on. It's too bad they can't get her fired up and run her under her own power, that would be very cool.
02/09/2010 9:50 am
Are you guys trying to kill the U.S. Coast Guard? Even whispering such a thought would bring on swooning fits!
02/09/2010 7:37 pm
Well, it would be a GREAT publicity event!!! I'm not suggesting she carry passengers, but I'll bet that a volunteer crew could be put together pretty easily. I wonder what shape the boilers are in, and have the engines been well-greased since they last ran. The steam engines themselves are mighty forgiving and well-made!
What an event to publicize not only the WPS, but steamboating in general. . . . It could be an event to re-awaken the Save the Delta Queen effort!
No, I ain't smokin' no funny weed, I just get passionate at times. . . .
S'
David D.
PS. Hmm, Coast Guard swoooning. . . .Hmmmmm....:)
Topic starter
02/09/2010 7:41 pm
A few of them have personalities that might improve somewhat with killing, but overall, no I'm not in favor of killing the U.S. Coast Guard...
02/09/2010 7:59 pm
I think they might consider that one of them there new Homeland Security violations Skipper. Makes me think of the old days at a ballgame when you'd hear folks holler "Kill the Umpire"
02/09/2010 8:01 pm
oh and thanks for the info on the WPS, I always loved that boat and walkin around on her. It makes an old Steamboater feel good to hear shes in such good shape.
02/09/2010 8:03 pm
Chief Kenny P. and I were on the SNYDER trying to figure out the possibility of doing this very thing, and came to the conclusion it would be "very difficult" to say the least-- more like "impossible". But, what a great enterprise it would be!
02/09/2010 9:21 pm
Snyder's Return
I spoke with S&D President Jeff Spears who said JJ Sands is going to take the Velley Gem south of Marietta to meet and escort the Snyder back. A lot of publicity is being raised as the area anxiously awaits its return to the Ohio Rvier Museum. What an exciting way to kick off the 71st annual S&D meeting, I can't wait for Sept. 17-18 to roll around! Looking forward to all of this year's events...
Topic starter
08/09/2010 5:41 pm
The Snyder was officially floating for the first time on her new hull today at 1145. She is being checked for leaks and then will be repositioned and raised again, so they can paint where she was sitting on the blocks.
Topic starter
08/09/2010 6:09 pm
At 1300 she is high and dry again...apparently she is watertight. They have her repositioned and drying in preparation to complete the paint. The new hull looks really good.
Topic starter
15/09/2010 7:49 pm
The Snyder was taken off drydock at 1330 (central time) today and is tied up right behind my boat. She will leave Southpoint, Ohio tonight around 1600 (central) for her return trip to Marietta.
According to the dock workers here, she is scheduled to return next year to replace all the decking on the main deck, sand blast and repaint all the steel superstructure and possibly have rudders (which she currently does not have) recreated and put back into place.
Sounds like the old girl is gonna be looking pretty spiffy. Anyhow, she should be back in Marietta tomorrow night if all goes as planned.
John
Topic starter
16/09/2010 5:24 am
The W.P. Snyder Jr. got a late start, she left the shipyard at Southpoint, Oh. enroute to Marietta at 2130 (Central Time) tonight, being towed by two McGinnis tugs.
16/09/2010 3:42 pm
Capt John;23144 wrote: The W.P. Snyder Jr. got a late start, she left the shipyard at Southpoint, Oh. enroute to Marietta at 2130 (Central Time) tonight, being towed by two McGinnis tugs.
Do you know if they are the same towboats that took the Snyder down?
Topic starter
16/09/2010 4:41 pm
I'm not sure which tugs brought it down, but the Mountain Girl and William B. are taking it back. They are upbound around Pomeroy now (1140 central).
17/09/2010 7:50 pm
The Snyder made a quick stop at our fleet this morning before being taken on up to her parking spot up the Muskingum. She was turned around at our fleet and shoved up stern first by the Mountain Girl to Marietta and then backed up the Muskingum. Both the William B and Mountain Girl just went back past southbound, so I'd say it is safe to assume the Snyder is officially home at the Ohio River Museum again.
Some will notice from the picture my father took this morning that she does have one very visible difference...the wheel is missing some red paint!