Becky Thatcher at Neville Island, Pennsylvania

Thanks very much, Lee, for your interesting article and the fine photos of the BECKY at Neville Island. I've known and loved the venerable sternwheeler since her St. Louis days in the 1960's (when I was a teenager!) and have followed her trials and tribulations with great interest -- and the fervent hope that somebody will acquire the boat who will take care of her properly. I wondered if she made the trip OK and where she was tied up since arriving in the Pittsburgh area. Your posting answered all of those questions and I appreciate the information.

I, too, am sorry that Marietta could no longer support the BECKY. As you know, she had a few "bright" years there, with a good restaurant on board and the showboat theatre was also a big draw for tourists and citizens as well. For some time Marietta has promoted itself as "The Riverboat Town", but with the DELTA QUEEN Company boats no longer operating, the BECKY now gone and the irreplaceable W.P. SNYDER living on borrowed time -- if something isn't soon done with her seriously rusting hull -- there aren't going to be any riverboats left for visitors to enjoy in that beautiful old river city.

Thanks again and please keep us posted with any future news of the BECKY in her new home. Although I haven't been aboard for six years, I have many fond memories (and lots of photos, slides and memorabilia!) of the old steamboat and am always interested in her welfare. We can't afford to lose anymore historic riverboats!

For those not familiar with the Pittsburgh harbor the BECKY THatcher is moored at the repair yard and marine ways of the River Salvage Co. River Salvage is Zubik. If you look ahead of the BECKY in the wide shot you can see what's left of the famous Dravo Neville Island marine ways. Lots of famous and fine boats have ended their careers at the Zubik fleet. Hope the BECKYS future is better. Thanks Lee for great photos.

Thanks Guys

Thank you Bill and Keith, your information and kind words are much appreciated. I just stumbled onto this site the other day, and there's a lot of good info around here. I saw the blog entry by Franz Neumeier, which included a link to some nice pictures by C.R. Neal of The Becky Thatcher leaving Marietta, Ohio, with the help of two boats. When I saw that, I thought I should join these forums and post my pictures of The Becky's current location at Neville Island, Pennsylvania. My wife and I both grew up in Marietta, Ohio, and we live in the Pittsburgh area now. When we heard that The Becky was over at Neville Island, which isn't too far from where we live, we had to go see her as soon as we could. The boat brings back a lot of good memories for us, and we hope to see it restored in the near future.

J. Dermitt sent me another beautiful picture of the BECKY THATCHER at her current location. Thanks!