RIP BECKY THATCHER

The Post Gazette article that Keith posted claimed that her superstructure collapsed from the weight of the snow, causing her to list and sink. Unless the cabin had been severely weakened by structural removal over the years, I find this equally unlikely. I suspect that the statement by the owner that the person watching over her was "supposed to drive by every week or so..." comes closer to telling us what might have happened.

That crossed my mind as well. I hope it wasn't another insurance scam. That would be just too sad to think about, with so many historic boats lost in recent years. Like Lexie said, we'll probably never know.

1926 seems to be a common thread lately. The MARY WOODS No.2 was built in 1926 and sunk last month. The BECKY was built in '26 (with an older cabin). The WAKE ROBIN, sunk (mysteriously?) in '06 was also 1926 built.

Looking at the pictures it doesn't appear that her decks collapsed down on themselves. Sure they have in places, but the structure looks about like it is even on the listing hull and the decks are parallel to the muddy bottom she sits on.

One article Keith posted states that she only carried liability insurance. If so the owner is left with nothing but a costly mess! Which may explain his haste in getting it scrapped out to try and reclaim what expense he can.

Who knows? An uneven snow load could cause the boat to heel. A frozen valve could split. Ice in a seam can cause a split. Water could have been accumulating for weeks in the hull. Some exterior force could have punctured the hull. Laid-up boats are particularly susceptible to sinking because of negligent hull checking (the most usual reason for not detecting trouble in time to take action), rust, wear, overhead leaks, crushing by ice pressure: the list is endless, but negligence leads it.

The river is offended by floating objects and it never rests in its effort to get rid of them. It works ceaselessly at the job whether its victim is a boat, barge or empty bluing bottle. It is insidious and silent and waits, patiently, but persistently for a chance to rid itself of every load.

There are a number of exterior and interior photos of the BECKY in the sale listing on the website of Florida broker Barry Stern. It also mentions that there is insurance coverage for both liability and physical damage. Also touted is that the boat underwent an inspection and underwater survey in January of 2009. Click on Available for Purchase to see more!

And, lest we forget, yet another historic riverboat whose fate is in question -- and which was built in 1926!

Ironically, here are the DQ and MISSISSIPPI (BECKY THATCHER) sharing an old post card from the 1960's. Actually, the photo of the DQ was taken in the late 1950's B.C. (before calliope!) as she passed under the bridge at Madison, Indiana (Ohio River!) with Capt. Doc Hawley and crew members on the roof. And the view of the MISSISSIPPI was snapped as she was being towed out of St. Louis, bound for Hannibal, in 1964.

Donating Remnants?...Guess Again!

I just spoke with Jeffrey Levin over the telephone. He doesn't seem to concerned about her sinking. I asked if he would have a moment to discuss donatating remnants to museums and he said he did not have time for that. He said, "I don't have time but the boat is a total loss. I will SELL parts of it to recover some of the loss I've incurred."

I found him to be very unfriendly and unconcerned with anything other than $$$ that he can get out of it now. What a shame. River Museums could use and preserve various parts of this boat and make noteable exhibits out of it. If the parts are going to be sold (no doubt in my mind that they will) no museums will get their hands on them. Most museums do not have money appropriated for buying artifacts. I hate to think how much he'll be asking for items when the sell begins...He'll likely get more money out of it now in pieces than he would selling whole.

What a terrible loss...

Taylor,

I sincerely hope no one buys a thing from him if this is truly the case. I understand anyone trying to make a profit from any business. You have to make a profit to survive! However, if your phone call was any indication of how this joker is going to do business with his boat, perhaps no one should buy a thing.

We have our memories and he can't stop us from printing our memories of the boat for generations to see what he didn't seem to know how to take care of. Perhaps our books need to tell the details of her end as we can document them. I am not saying we need to persecute the man. I am saying getting interviews with the last persons to see her at the end and getting all the details we can for publication...just the facts Ma'am!

Yes, if we can't have her in the flesh, we can have her memory preserved, in great detail! Between existing pictures of her from beginning to end, stories of her days of various operations and locations, and the grand history of the boat itself...I see a coffee table epic here! And I know just who should write it...if we can just get him to do it......

Keith,

She was under construction in 1926. She didn't roll her wheel till 1927 and was dedicated into service on the 2nd of June 1927. So, by the fate of a couple of months on a calendar, I think she is safe (at least that is the twist in my prayers for her!)!

Wow, I am so glad we can save one of them!

In the immortal words of Larry the Cable Guy (a redneck comic)...."get 'er done!"

I agree with you 100%. It is a damn shame though when you think about it. You're correct in saying we need to publish our memories and pictures. Your idea about the pilot house and stacks would have been great. I think in the end the old girl will be turned into scrap. Maybe he'll change his mind, I'm not sure he knows it but I believe there could be a huge deduction on his taxes if he were to donate items...then again he may see $$$ in selling it in pieces.

I may head to Neville Island this weekend to get some photographs. The island itself is off limits to people but you can still get some good shots across from it. Fred McCabe and I may just do that if all goes well this weekend. I'll keep everyone posted on here about it. I hope to have some good pictures when we're finished.

Aside from her pretty capstan, the brass cap (bearing the date 1927 and AYER & LORD MARINE WAYS - PADUCAH) of which is at the Point Pleasant River Museum along with her pilotwheel and a wooden life float -- deck fittings, transom windows, cabin arches (very plain) and a few other odds and ends, there is really NOT much left on the BECKY in the way of original artifacts. Her lazy bench was brought down from the pilothouse many years ago and placed in the bar on the boiler deck -- long ago the HEARING ROOM for meetings of the Mississippi River Commission. It was last seen down on the main deck, so it's probably crushed and long gone in the rubble. It was said to have been used on the previous steamers MISSISSIPPI -- and has two drawers beneath the seat stencilled LIFE PRESERVERS.

It would be fun to have her pilothouse (restored) in the yard of the Howard Steamboat Museum, but I imagine it will be one of the first targets for the wrecking ball and scoop shovel! Personally, I couldn't bear to watch!

Taylor, I do hope you have the opportunity to get some pictures, but be careful! And please tell my good friend Fred McCabe hello - and THANKS for the thoughtful message he left on my answering machine about the sinking of the BECKY. Nothing beats the good ol' sternline telegraph for conveying news up and down the river!

The hull of the MISSISSIPPI was built at Howard's in 1926, but the boat didn't actually steam out of Paducah until 1927.

I've been thinking for several years now that we'd get BAD news any day about the GOLDENROD SHOWBOAT, but she well could be next -- and her old timbers date back to 1909.

I fear we are truly the generation to witness THE END of steamboating unless we find ways to turn things around - and quickly!

BT potpourri

Keith, those are great pictures to remember her in her final stages, click??? Considering the statements in the sale promo about the hull inspection and types of insurance, it appears that some prevarication has taken place by someone along the line, unless some coverage had been dropped after failing to sell her.
Taylor and Travis, Mr. Levin is probably upset that it took so long for an accident to happen. I presume he was paying, or was being charged, docking fees there.
For anyone: I presume the owner is responsible for the cost to clear the wreckage from the river? What if he doesn't, does the Corps do it and then bill the owner? Is the wreckage in the way of activity at Neville Island, or is there still activity there?

Keith,

I keep buying lotto tickets and keep in touch with my LaCrosse correspondent to make sure my boat will still be there when I win! I don't know what I will do with her when I get her (after the replacement of things "borrowed" (a list I understand is growing fast), hull work, boiler work, and engine room work, not to mention the new genset and a coat of paint)...but, no matter what I do, all river fans will be welcome!

The biggest worries I have now are about the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE. She is the most vulnrable at this point. Like Judy said just hours ago..the NATCHEZ has the best chance of survival now, she may be the last of the Mohicians come a few years down the road!

Lets just hope the right things happen in the right order so there will be some vestige of our great steamboating past for the future generations to enjoy! We know what it is like to sail down the river to the tune of scape pipes and wheel wash, we know what it is like to hug onto a smoke stack to keep warm on a cold spring day, we know the smell of the lubricant as it cooks on the shaft as the engines roll the wheel...if we don't do something soon, all these parts of our daily maritime lives will be a thing of the past! Talk about a shame...it would be irresponsible!

Judy,

My money says we are going to start to hear things on the sternline telegraph very soon! Like when the USCG investigation the newspaper articles speaks of actually happens. If the boat is left there long enough for an investigation, and Mr. Levin doesn't clean up the site fast, the cat will probably jump out of the bag and scratch someone!

Keith, I'll be sure to tell him. He thinks highly of you and I've hear much about you from him. He's been a great mentor. I've tagged along to see many boats with Fred since I was eight or nine years old. He's been very kind and generous to me through the years. I can't ask for a better person in my life. My parents never worried when Fred took me with him, they knew I'd come back full of knowledge! Now I take Fred just about where ever I go if there's a boat involved. He'll be glad to hear that I spoke to you on here.

If we do go up to Neville Island, I'm sure he'll be sending you a letter full of pictures. All depends on the weather up here...we're both hoping the river holds stationary but I think its wishful thinking. All areas in the upper Ohio Valley seem to be preparing for a big flood. Hope it holds back until the boat can be raised and investigated. Thanks for post!

Taylor, I'm so glad that you have Fred as your "river mentor". People don't come any finer and it's an understatement to say that Fred has always been extremely generous with his knowledge and excellent boat pictures!

I hope you'll get down to this part of the river sometime to ride the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE and visit us at the Howard Steamboat Museum. I'll give you the "Curator's Tour -- cellar to attic!

Take care and keep up steam!
Keith

In answer to Judy's question, there is a lot of activity at Neville Island, both on land and along the river front. I was surprised at Taylor Abbotts post that said the island was off limits to people. Not sure what he meant. Access to Neville Island is by ramps off of I-69 and the Grand Ave. (lower) and Neville Rd. ( upper) bridges. About 1500 people live on the island, mostly at the west end ( down river) and the eastern ( up river) end is full of fine industrial parks. Robert Morris University has a spectacular sports complex there. There are at least two, maybe more fine motels. Part of the old Dravo yard is now the Neville Island War Memorial Park. As to the river, most of the Dravo marine ways are still in use, now owned by the Zubik family's River Salvage Company. That is where the Becky Thatcher was tied off. Lots of activity!!

Don't forget, steamboat fans, that there is excellent footage of the Str. MISSISSIPPI (BECKY THATCHER) in her operating days on the VHS and DVD production Iron Crowns and Paddlewheels, made available by our own Jim Herron. You can order it by clicking on Railroad video, herron rail video productions, railroad, railways, steam engines. Many other old riverboats also "star" and every steamboat buff and buffette should have this excellent work of river history! Thanks Jim!

New Hull Ready For Delivery

Here's a picture of the new steel hull for the MISSISSIPPI being picked-up at Howards by the towboat JOHN BARRETT for delivery to Paducah. It's a shame that the bow end can't be preserved because it is a classic Howard bow.

Judy Patsch;20529 wrote: Keith, those are great pictures to remember her in her final stages, click??? Considering the statements in the sale promo about the hull inspection and types of insurance, it appears that some prevarication has taken place by someone along the line, unless some coverage had been dropped after failing to sell her.
Taylor and Travis, Mr. Levin is probably upset that it took so long for an accident to happen. I presume he was paying, or was being charged, docking fees there.
For anyone: I presume the owner is responsible for the cost to clear the wreckage from the river? What if he doesn't, does the Corps do it and then bill the owner? Is the wreckage in the way of activity at Neville Island, or is there still activity there?

After speaking with Levin yesterday, I felt three inches tall. He has to be one of the rudest, coldest, and by far the biggest jerk I've ever spoken to on a telephone. For someone to have the Becky Thatcher in his control is unbelievable. I would never say the following about any steamboat no matter the shape or history surrounding it, but I HOPE AND PRAY THE RIVER COMES UP FAST AND TAKES HER DOWN STREAM! If she's shattered into a million pieces the better. At least he won't be able to make any money off of her. His intentions were likely to do that anyway. I pray the river takes her away to her final resting place. He can then have his little scavenger hunt on the bottom of the Ohio.....

At least the last whistle of the U. S. MISSISSIPPI still lives and will continue, I trust, to be blown on the DU LAC SAINT SACREMENT for a long time to come. Matthew Dow, am I right?

Regarding the discussion about the paper’s statement that the snow load was a contributing factor, here is something to consider as the paper might have some of the facts but not all. Please bear with my nerd speak a bit here.

Snow load actually carries a lot of weight. Speaking as an architect, in building construction, snow load is figured into roof design and can cause you to increase the size of a structural member as much as 50% depending on the size the roof parapet. I have seen many cases where a roof will collapse under the weight of a heavy snow drift, say 3 to 4 feet because the proper snow drift load was not taken into consideration.

The Barbara H is not a large boat and would not collect as much snow as the Becky Thatcher. With that being said, the Becky Thatcher is a fairly tall boat with a lot of deck space to collect snow and very high center of gravity since most of a machinery has been removed. I can’t remember how wide the decks are on the boat but I think they are something like 4 to 5 feet wide, nominally. Snow can weigh as much as 20 pounds a cubic foot depending on how wet it is. If the snow drift is 4 feet wide by 4 feet tall, the lineal foot of snow drift could weigh as much 160 pounds per lineal foot. If you have say there is a 100 feet of deck space that is roughly 16,000 pounds per deck times three decks is 48,000 pounds or 24 tons on one side of the vessel.

Since the Becky Thatcher’s hull is in bad shape so it is conceivable to say that there are thin spots in her hull. I can speak from experience here in Illinois, some of the barges we ‘maintain’ have thin hulls and the cold weather causes them to contract and crack and take on water. With the theoretical heavy snow load on one side of the boat and theoretical crack above (or below) the water line and theoretical high center of gravity…..a list caused by the heavy snow load could have caused water to come in a high hole in the hull and the farther she went down the faster she took on water. ….and so on…and so on….and so on.

So the paper’s statement that snow brought her down might a have a little more validity to it….however this is pure speculation on my part.

It's still on the stack of the LAC DU SAINT SACREMENT and hooked up, but with compressed air, it sounds like.... well, we refer to it "The Moose"... nuff said. It has it's good and bad days like any piece of equipment. I read in an S+D that it was blown on the DQ for a short time. Can anyone on here say how it sounded when hooked up to steam?

Casey, what you are saying about uneven snow load possibly causing a list that would force an opening in the hull underwater, is exactly what I also stated as a possibility.

Still, as someone else pointed out, the Becky has no doubt had this much snow load previously in her long life.

On water, when comparing hull displacement and flotation, I suspect snow loading based on surface area, isn't going to behave as most people would predict. The Becky will catch more snow than a smaller vessel, but the Becky's larger hull had more surface area to push underwater, and generous freeboard available to handle it.

I don't know this for a fact, but you might even find that snow loading on hulls works out to be proportional. That is, if the Barbara H was sitting next to the Becky, and they both had 18" of snow all over them, the Barbara H would be 2" deeper in the water, and the Becky would also be 2" deeper in the water. But I'm not a Naval Architect.

I can tell you that when our wharfboat (which is much larger than the Barbara H, and closer to the size of the Becky) has the same snow load as the Barbara H, the wharfboat seems to sit down in the water the same extra amount as the Barbara H.

In other words, 2 weeks ago the Barbara H was 1" deeper in the water with a 9" snow load and some 24" drifts. Meanwhile the much larger wharfboat she sits next to also had 9" of snow and 24" drifts. Both seemed to be 1" deeper in the water.

We may never know the cause of the sinking. As Hank Bloomer stated, failure to keep watch over the boat is probably the reason she was lost. No one was there to look for problems and correct them, whether is was truly snow load, or other hull failure that may or may not have been directly snow related.

I guess what I am saying is, had the Becky not been forced out of Marietta and was still being looked after, she would have still had simliar snow loading, but I bet she would still be with us. The key is keeping a daily watch on floating equipment. If you don't do that, the unexpected will happen (leaks, drift, fouled mooring lines, etc) and bad things will happen.