Capt. Lawson Hamilton Jr.

Captain Lawson Hamilton is one unforgettable man and was a great friend to all he met. His generosity and his sense of fun and humor knew no bounds. The river community is forever enriched by his spirit, which was reflected in his support of the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta, the premier annual public event on the Great Kanawha River. With their love for music and celebration, Lawson and Mama Jeanne sponsored an array of talent for this huge party, flying in the Olympia Brass Band from New Orleans along with many other performers on countless occasions. At the Regatta’s annual Saturday night Funeral Parade down Capitol Street in Charleston, one would feel just like they were in the French Quarter.

The P.A. Denny flourished under the ownership of Capt. Hamilton, and with this lovely vessel he brought the river experience alive to countless folks in the Kanawha Valley as well as in the many other ports she called.

I was privileged to spend many a happy occasion entertaining with Bob Schad on many cruises with Lawson and at various of his wild and fun-filled soirees. A finer friend, gentleman, and host you will never meet. I will miss him tremendously.

This is a truly sad day for the Kanawha River Valley in general. Having also worked for Cap Ham many times on the PA DENNY, hearing this news is quite sad for me. Few people truly know the scope of his generosity. I knew precious little myself, other than to know what he did for the river people on the Kanawha and in the Charleston, VW area in general. His excitement and zest for the river life was never better experienced than at some of the wonderful parties he threw at the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta's of yore. Anyone who missed those affairs missed a truly special affair on the river. The PA DENNY herself shows Cap. Ham's dedication to a friendship. Cap. Ham made his dear friend Capt. Pete Denny's dream come true and completed the partially re-constructed riverboat after Capt. Denny's death....a long and two shorts on the whistle as another respected riverman departs the harbour one last time...

We'll miss you Cap. Ham!