Again, many thanks to Keith Norrington for the Old Boat Column in general and for the column in the January 24, 2022, WJ. Keith continues to delight with his writings. Read More
Belle of Louisville
One hundred and seven years ago today, the steel hull of the steamer Idlewild plunged into the Allegheny River at the James Rees yard on October 18, 1914. It is… Read More
The 107-year-old Belle of Louisville is back steaming down the Ohio River, but the boat’s operators say that without $4.1 million in additional funding over the next five years, continued… Read More
The river community is saddened by the recent passing of Shirley Ruck Burwinkle, 91, who served as calliopist on the Str. Belle of Louisville (1966–1970) and was organist for a… Read More
The river community was greatly saddened recently to learn of the untimely passing of Charles “Chuck” Parrish on December 21, 2020. He was 78. Long the exemplary and kindly historian… Read More
For the first time in 61 years, the excursion steamboat Belle of Louisville traveled up the Ohio River as far as Gallipolis, Ohio, for its every-five-year Coast Guard inspection and… Read More
In 1952, a young man named Clarke Campbell Hawley joined the crew of the excursion steamboat Avalon as calliope player and popcorn popper, embarking on an adventure that spanned more… Read More
When the steel hull of the steamer Idlewild slid into the Allegheny River at the James Rees yard on October 18, 1914, it is doubtful that anyone present had the… Read More
The Belle of Louisville is looking for donations and gift certificate purchases to stay afloat financially. The 1914 paddlewheel-driven, steam-powered vessel is the last operating riverboat of its kind anywhere… Read More
Happy New Year! We begin the Old Boat Column for 2020 with one of the beautiful steamboats operated by the famous Diamond Jo Line, the steamer Quincy. Built at Dubuque,… Read More
