Topic starter
01/10/2009 5:35 pm
The former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers steamer MISSISSIPPI (#3), retired in 1961 and known as the BECKY THATCHER restaurant/museum/bar/showboat since 1966, is slated to be towed out of Marietta, barring a number of obstacles, on Wednesday, October 14th. To read the article from the Marietta newspaper, overlooking the usual historical errors, click on Showboat shipping out soon - MariettaTimes.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Ohio, Community Information - The Marietta Times.
The old steamboat has been plagued with a lengthy list of troubles, both at St. Louis (1966-1975) and at Marietta, her home since August, 1975 and where she survived a sinking in 1984. From one of the Becky's longtime and faithful "friends", my best wishes to all concerned and here's hoping she finds a better life at a new landing!
(1) St. Louis - 1966
(2) St. Louis - 1970
(3) Marietta - from Harmar side of Muskingum River - October 6, 1975 - Photo courtesy of Fred McCabe.
01/10/2009 10:35 pm
Owner doubletalk
Early in the article, the owner says the move to Pittsburgh is temporary, until he finds a permanent spot. Later, he says it is moving to Pittsburgh because the business situation is better there than in Marietta. So which is it? Moving to store it or moving to open it as a business? Well, at least it will start the move in one piece, unlike the PREZ...
02/10/2009 12:51 am
Pittsburgh, storage, can anyone say ZUBIK. I am afraid this could be a funeral parade for Becky. Let's hope I'm wrong.
02/10/2009 10:07 pm
Saying that this has been a bad year for steamboats would be an understatement. And then there's the MIKE FINK, formerly CHARLES DORRANCE / JW HUBBARD, in Covington, that left town with a great fanfare for a hull replacement, but now that it is back, sits silently in the shadow of John Roebling's magnificant bridge. Anyone know if the FINK is going to reopen, and/or when? I was fortunate that I saw both the DORRANCE and the US MISSISSIPPI operating under their own steam power in better days.
03/10/2009 12:10 am
Shipyard,
Last I heard the Bernstein family is waiting for better times before reoutfitting the MIKE FINK. She will just sit and wait, I guess. Too bad...cause we we all know what happens when boats sit too long!
Travis