Steamboat photo found H.C.Yeiser

Well, Jim,
the Henry C. Yeiser, Jr. started out as the Robert P. Gillham in 1901. She had a wood hull 149.5' x 31.5' x 4.3'. Her engines were 14, 24, 7 ft stroke. Her name was changed to Henry C. Yeiser, Jr., when the boat was sold to the Hatfield Coal Co. in 1925. Fred Way has a long descriptions of both boats in Way's Steamboat Directory. The boat was crushed against a bridge pier on August 15, 1940.

Alan Bates,
Thanks for the info and now I'll know to go straight to Way's when I visit the Cincinnati Public Library. The dark black belching smoke against gray cloudy sky and the churning white water off the paddle - I can almost hear that boat chugging when I look at the photo (or maybe I drank too much coffee). But either way it will be in a new frame and there will be a real story post with it. Thanks again.
-Jim

Steamboating colleagues:
Thanks to Jim Gray for posting the fine photo of the Str. HENRY C. YEISER and to Alan Bates for the interesting 'bio' on her. 'C. Woge' is a slightly familiar name on photos cropping up now and then.

The real Henry C. Yeiser began his fantastically successful manufacturing career in the 1880s with the founding and expansion of the Globe-Wernicke Co., manufacturers of office furniture, book cases, file cabinets etc. in Norwood, OH adjacent to Cincinnati. Some of you no doubt sat in Globe-Wernike school chairs with the teacher's desk and book cases being a product of this company. I recall much of these products done in fine oak and other woods but later steel. They were national and international in scope. The Yeiser's expanding business interests and investments were wide-ranging and also included ARMCO STEEL Corp. The present Yeiser Trust endows each year a principal chair for French Horns in the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. We're not talking little bucks here.

This photo of the HENRY C. YEISER indicates she was registered in Wilmington, Delaware as a corporate flag of convenience. Some boats may display the wording PORT OF... but the real paper chase goes to Delaware.

The 'Filson Club Historical Society,' Louisville, holds the 'Hatfield Steamboat Fleet Photos' ca. 1900-1940s. It is listed in collection 812 and may be accessed via Internet.

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

Who Was C.WOGE?

How about some low-down on the photographer, C. Woge? Perhaps he photographed other steamboats and there may be a treasure-trove of his work waiting to be discovered.

Hey, Shipyard:
The name 'C. Woge' on the HENRY F. YEISER photo apparently caught your eye as it did mine. I can't recall when I saw that printed name last but it certainly jumped out at me with familarity. I've seen it a few times while digging in archives and photos in book stores and galleries. If he was a local Cincinnatian then the old directories may help. It would take time but could be done on my end. We have photo scrapbooks in the archives at Literary Club and I'll dig them out for any evidence of the name. I'm vague now but thinking that's where I last saw it--possibly on photos at OHIO BOOK STORE. The excitement and drama mounts.

I'm sure it's German as further research brings up many Internet listings in German language for the name 'Woge' in Germany linked to art and photography. Could be a concidence for sure and possibly Franz and Carmen would have leads on their end. Perhaps Jim Gray could do 'forensics' on his photo for any additional markings/names or notes on the back. Stay tuned.

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

Steamboating colleagues:
Steamboat 'forensics' swung into action yesterday Re: Str. HENRY C. YEISER as photographed by 'C. Woge.' Rick Kesterman, Cincinnati Historical Society, sleuthed their archives there with no definitive answer on Mr. Woge. There was a C. Woge in Norwood, OH but his 1988 obituary didn't give any clues. Interesting that he lived in Norwood, home of Yeiser owned 'Globe-Wernike Co.' Perhaps he was a good amateur photographer and just caught a good picture at the right moment in the right locale. Capt. Bill Judd opines the YEISER photo was probably taken in/around Chilo, OH.

Other sources here, via the 'Cincinnati Blue Book,' mention that Henry Yeiser, Jr., married Louise Fleischmann. [*Str. JULIUS FLEISCHMANN in Way's Towboat Directory No. T1476]. Interesting links and the more you dig the more you find. Perhaps in time the real 'C. Woge' photographer will surface. This is what makes Steamboats.org such fun. Well, what do I know?

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

Thanks Dale, Alan, and Sam for the info and replies. I hope this doesn't sound too nurdy but I keep looking at this photo trying to figure out some way to determine if the boat is heading upriver or down.

The wind in our area comes predominately from the west southwest and the smoke off the stacks is blowing to the right. The shadows from the paddle struts would indicate the sun is almost directly behind the boat but a few degrees to starboard and maybe 40 degrees elevation (see angle of boat shadow on barge). The sun travels from the east southeast to the west southwest ( less south in the summer) so the low angle shadows would indicate early morning or late afternoon. The trees also appear to have leaves. My guess is the boat is headed northwest on a summer morning. Where would this be on the Ohio River?

Anyone know any way to tell if a boat is heading upriver or down by looking at the wake in a photo? Anyone see a flaw in my logic?

I drove to the #35 lock on the Ky side on Sunday, but the river is covering the old lock piers where I needed to stand to photograph the terrain.

There was an ex WWII Navy vet named Charles Woge who was from Norwood and died at age 74 in 1988 in Milford, Ohio.

-jim gray

There's nothin' too nerdy for someone on here to tackle.

Looks to me as if the YEISER is kicking out of a lock. (Note the timberhead and concrete guide wall in the photo's lower left hand.) Bill Judd opined that it looks to him as if she's at Chilo, and that would certainly make sense for a Hatfield boat to be there, and that looks like the hills around Tietzville Light. So if that's the case, which I believe it is, she's headed up river taking a load of empties back to the mines of West Virginia.

I'm sure glad Frank agrees as to the photos location. It's nice to be backed up by an expert, especially at my age. I thought of Lock#34 at Chilo right away and the hills up river were the key, but not trusting my fading memory I dug out several photos I had taken and matched the background. #34 was a favorite spot of mine to take boat photos.

I see what you mean about the empties going for more coal, and the water level near the concrete guide wall would have to be on the upriver side of the dam. When I look at the Corps of Engineers Chilo chart, the shadows would be consistent for afternoon sun. Soon I hope to photograph the river from Chilo #34 and see if the terrain matches.
Thanks for the input.
-jim gray

Dear Jim, Frank, Capt. Bill, Shipyard:
Thanks for your additional 'forensic' insights on the location of the Str. HENRY C. YEISER. It's a 'goodie' for sure and I'm glad it was posted. The photo has all you want and more: light at right angles, smoke, water churning etc. All lacking are the sounds of her engine bells, spashing, whistle.

Jim, you were the first of two arriving E=Mails mentioning the connection of 'C. Woge' to Milford, OH. I'll keep digging here in due time. There were a lot of talented amateur photographers back then and Woge may have been one of them. At other times we're just lucky in looking, thinking and pushing the camera shutter button. Don't know if Woge used a light filter on his camera or not but the texture of the sky, clouds indicates he may have. I've an incredible winter [ca.1917/18] photo of the JULIUS FLEISCHMANN I'll dig out, rescan/size/edit and forward. I think Jim Herron sent it to me but will double check. I'm muddy on how to post photos directly to the web and need a 'tutorial.'

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

The terrain matches

Bill and Frank,
Luck had me driving by Lock #34 today so I stopped and took a picture pointing upriver. I think y'all called it dead on. Also I stood there and held up the photo and it matched exactly. Thanks.
-Jim

Captain Billy Goat Reade Piloted the YEISER

Can't believe there's not a copy in Buster and Willie's WhirlWind Collection of Steamboat Stuff of that famous photo of the DELTA QUEEN still dressed in her Navy Grays; busting up-bound, just coming under an Upper Ohio River Bridge on the way to her initial overhaul at the Dravo yard. Lying along the bank, on the other side of the river, is the YEISER. Captain William "Billy Goat" Reade was a pilot on the YEISER, and that's where he met a pretty red-haired maid, also working on the boat, and after they married the end product was a certain Cornelia Reade, a star river rat known to practically all of us.

I'm looking forward to seeing the JULIUS FLEISCHMANN photo.
It took me a while to figure out that I had to use the "Go Advanced" button to get to the paper clip photo post icon but I still have a lot of trouble getting the picture small enough to be accepted.

For a beginner like me, what would be a good book to purchase with steamboat photos and maybe some structural drawings and history?

Hi, Jim:
For starters on your request for information go to the main web page of Steamboats.org and scroll down to 'River Library.' There you'll see some 60 + books publications on the subject generally from A-Z. Incidentally, do you already have copies of WAY'S PACKET DIRECTORY, 1848-1983

Hi, Jim:
I pulled out the photo of the Str. JULIUS FLEISCHMAN pictured at the mouth of the Licking River during the big ice of 1917/1918 and 'reworked' it the best I could on my photo scanner/editor/enhancer. A little better and I've sent to Franz for his keen eye and consideration in attaching to the thread. This photo has a lot of 'mood and feeling' with the bitter cold, smoke, steam and ice jamming around. We shall see.

The photo, among many others, came to me courtesy of Frank Grimm, Jeffersonville, IN. winter of 2005. Many thanks Frank.

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick