Topic starter
05/03/2007 4:16 pm
Bear put this link in another thread and I found a boat we have been looking for on here forever. The old BELLE CAROL from Nashville which was originally a Howard built sternwheel towboat called KANAWHA.
Built in 1925, the measurements of this hull match the BELLE CAROL/KANAWHA to a "T" (84'x18'). She was renamed ZACHARY TAYLOR during an operation in Pittsburgh, PA in the mid-1980's and was reconfigured. This is unmistakeably her!
Interestingly enough, she was last operating in New Jersey and is now in Florida. Other than the Alaska boats, I am wondering if she might be the next in line for farthest traveled Howard Built boat?
The stern shot in this link shows a hexagonal paddlewheel shaft as well.
She has always been a pretty boat in all her names and operations. At this price, looks like she is going to be a pretty boat for someone for along time!
~Travis~
http://www.everyboat.com/c/s/1987-custom-_2307.htm
07/03/2007 2:52 pm
Hi, Travis & steamboating colleagues:
Many thanks for the interesting find on the Howard built boat KANANWA of 1925 and the 'link' forwarded by Bear. The more people look the more they find in steamboat history. It got me to thinking and I dug through some papers here in addition to Charles Preston Fishbaugh's classic 'From PADDLE WHEELS to PROPELLERS, Indiana Historical Society, 1970.
I vaguely...slightly...recall hearing the late Lorettta Howard at a long ago S&D of Pioneer Rivermen luncheon in Marietta mention causually, "Our Howard built boats for 'export.'" The Alaska connection with Howard built boats is a fascinating story, as Travis mentions. Other such vessels are as follows:
1. 1885 - 'Honduran steamer' [No name]
2. 1894 - Str. GEN. REYNAR BARRIOS and four barges.
3. 1896 - VERAPAY and two barges.
4. 1922 - ATLANTICO towboat.
5. 1926 - two barges.
One can only assume at this point that the 'barges' recorded could possibly have been of iron construction.
There was much economic, political, military interest in the so-called 'Banana Republics' of Central America by the British and the U.S. from President William McKinley to President 'Teddy' Roosevelt leading into the maneuverings for the proposed canal via Nicaragua and Panama [It was up for grabs and debate at which route would be the best].
From a pure business aspect I can only wonder at how the 'bids' process were accomplished by the Howards at the time. Could the Howard famly have personally journeyed there to make the bid? If so, who? Some early bids were done entirely by letter or in time telegraph. More than one British ship builder than DENNY BROS. in Scotland were involved in knock-down boat/ship construction for foreign waters. Apparently Howards won out and the complete story would be interesting. One British concern even fabricated, engined and transported a complete steamship to the heights of Peru's famed Lake Titicaca for operation there. She's still in existence today and I'll try to dig out the photos I took of her there several years ago.
Perhaps Alan Bates recalls some discussions of this in the time he spent talking steamboats at the elbows of Jim and Loretta Howard.
Cheers and thanks,
R. Dale Flick
08/03/2007 1:20 am
Small world connection -
Chief Juan Mendivil, Sr. , now with the Steamboat Natchez in New Orleans, was at one time Chief Engineer on that steamboat on Lake Titicaca. If you get down to New Orleans, he can tell you a lot about it.
Dennis
18/03/2007 11:52 pm
Comparison Photo Belle Carol and Boat for Sale in Fla.
I have been meaning to get around to this and did today. Here are the two boats side by side from the rear. Looks like a match in many ways to me - fantail, rudders, bracing, etc. The new wheel is larger and the drive looks like it was changed. The boiler deck was enclosed and the pilot raised a deck.
I posted many months ago about a boat I saw moored in Nashville. I believe she was the one, and she looked a bit more like the newer photo.
What do you think?!
Ed Jones