Obviously not the omar

Mark: The images are of the J.D. AYRES. Her pilotwheel now hangs on the lobby ceiling of the Hotel Lafayette at Marietta and her roof bell still rings on the Str. NATCHEZ at New Orleans.

And those are spectacular photos.

He also included these photos also. Any clue?? Mark

The first photo is the M/V Duncan Bruce and the steamboat is the Arthur Hider. The Hider was dismantled in 1947. The wreck I have no idea but would like to know the details.

Bill, This is what was written on the back of the picture of the wreck.

Here are the rest of my friend's pictures...........

Last one........ I will see if he has more ...... Mark

Towboat Detectives

Mark: Unless my 57 year old eyes and bifocals fail me, the first one appears to be the ALEXANDER MACKENZIE and all others are the J.D. AYRES.

Fine photos and THANKS for sharing them with us!

Wreckage of the SAM P. SUIT

Mark Willoughby;29247 wrote: Bill, This is what was written on the back of the picture of the wreck.

According to Way's Towboat Directory, she sank at Huntington Feb. 13, 1948 and the next day her upper works were swept away by moving ice.

She was built in 1925 by Marietta Mfg. Co. at Pt. Pleasant. She was 123 x 30 x 5.4. Her engines were 12's, 24's - 6 ft stroke, non condensing and she had 3 boilers. She was owned by Island Creek Fuel & Transportation Co, whose river superintendent was Sam P. Suit. She exploded a boiler near Cincinnati on May 9, 1937 and was rebuilt at Dravo. Capt. J. Emory Edgington was master at that time and Clyde Morrow the pilot. J. Emory has been mentioned on .org on several occasions as a pilot on the DQ in his later years.

Here is a picture of the J.D. AYERS' bell on the roof of the NATCHEZ. The acorn atop it is Doc Hawley's. It came from the QUEEN CITY, a gift from Fred Way, and rode on every steamboat Doc commanded. It now resides atop a bookcase in his FQ home.

WOW!

Agreed Lexie, those ARE spectacular pictures!

*RE: SAM P. SUIT boiler exposion May 9, 1937*

Steamboating colleagues:
WOW! and DOUBLE WOW! Mark's great collection of steamboat photos, Judy's fine 'bio' on the SAM P. SUIT really hit home here. The SUIT's boiler explosion here in Cincinnati May 9, 1937 was some event receiving wide coverage. Bill Judd may recall just where she exploded and if it was heading up river near Coal Haven I can't remember from accounts. Years later 'insiders' of the old school attending an S&D meeting related the SUIT was "running hot." The boiler let go resounding on the hills and shore on either side. Lumber flew up in the air, rained down on the water. Master Capt. J. Emory Edington was in the washroom at the time when the explosion blew the porcelain sink up in the air just missing his face.

A towboat in the area saw/heard the BOOM! and came to the rescue tying off on the SUIT to keep her in check. One old hand said it was possibly the GREENE LINE's CARY-BIRD. Bill, do you remember?

My grandmother's older brother, Junius Hoobing, was cook on the SUIT for Island Creek but had left the boat a year or so before. He'd had a long career with the GREENE LINE as a cook; then steward but liked the money on the steam tows better.

Last time I talked to Emory Edington was aboard the AVALON when she was based here in Cincinnati. There was an oldtimer hailing way, way back recalling events to the year 1900 in full clarity. "Why, Dale, I remember your great uncle Capt. Jacob Heib well. It was August, 1904 on the wharfboat at Pt. Pleasant. His son, Jacob Jr. was fishing off the end." Or something along those lines. I can't remember what I had for dinner last night. Well, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

My Friends Relative

My friends Dad name was Russell U. Buskirk. He served on all of the above named boats. His son told me that he was the Pilot, engineer, or co-captain on all these boats and I believe him because he has all these photos and many more rare photos...... anyone recognize the name? Mark Willoughby

Mark: I don't see him in Way's Packet Boat Directory or Rutter's Towboat Directory.