J.S. Lewis News - The Waterways Journal

A New Chapter For the Storied J.S. Lewis As the Vesta for J&L Steel in a posed shot. Note that there is no sash in the front of the pilothouse. (David Smith collection)

As the Vesta for J&L Steel in a posed shot. Note that there is no sash in the front of the pilothouse. (David Smith collection)

A New Chapter For the Storied J.S. Lewis

January 28, 2024

The “stern line” rumor mill had been rumbling for some time, but on January 19 came confirmation that the venerable J.S. Lewis had changed owners for the first time in… Read More

J&L Steel Experiments With Prop Towboats The str. Vesta departing Pittsburgh with a tow for Memphis in 1935. (WJ, August 31, 1935, David Smith collection)

The str. Vesta departing Pittsburgh with a tow for Memphis in 1935. (WJ, August 31, 1935, David Smith collection)

J&L Steel Experiments With Prop Towboats

March 25, 2023

As mentioned in this column in the March13 issue, the Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation (J&L) broke with tradition in 1931 and had two steam prop towboats built for them… Read More

‘Bowtie Bill’ Barr Makes Sure Crews Operate Safely Bill Barr has been working in the river industry since his college days.

‘Bowtie Bill’ Barr Makes Sure Crews Operate Safely

September 18, 2020

During two unusual back-to-back, 15-hour days crammed with meetings with crew members of his company’s vessels, Bill Barr paused long enough to talk about his lifelong career on the river. Read More