Topic starter
21/03/2011 5:16 pm
Thanks to a rapidly falling river, the Str. BELLE of LOUISVILLE, in drydock, was towed back downriver by two towboats to Jeffboat early this morning. I drove over from the museum and had a ringside seat as the unique flotilla passed Duffy's Landing, making good time! Not every day you see a drydock moving down the river containing an old steamboat!
Images:
(1) Passing Duffy's Landing
(2) Approaching Jeffboat
(3) Preparing to land at the lower end of the yard.
21/03/2011 6:48 pm
Traveling by drydock
In fact, has there ever been a day prior to this experience when a steamboat in a drydock was transported along the river?
Topic starter
21/03/2011 7:20 pm
Yes. In 1984, following her sinking at Marietta, the BECKY THATCHER (former Str. MISSISSIPPI) was moved in a drydock from Point Pleasant, WV to South Point, OH. Her stacks were hinged to break forward and this was done to ensure safe clearance under bridges. Thanks to the courtesy of Capt. Nelson Jones, I (and several others) received permission to climb around on the drydock and aboard the BECKY. It was quite a sight to see the mud residue on the carpeting in the cabin and I recall there were BIG plants growing out of the silt deposited in the engine room!
Images:
(1) Becky on drydock at South Point OH. Sternwheel was removed at Point Pleasant, WV. September 14, 1984.
(2) Cabin of the BECKY looking aft. Note the mud covering the red carpeting and a diagonal water line on the stern bulkhead. 9-14-84.
(3) Becky on drydock at South Point, OH. 9-14-84.
