Goldenrod (Showboat, 1909-?)

Date

• 1917

Summary

• BOAT TYPE: Showboat
• BUILT: 1909 at the Pope Dock Company
• FORMERLY: Markle's New Showboat
• OWNERS: W.R. Markle; R.W. Emerson (1913-1922); J.W. Menke (1922-1940)
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain John W. "Bill" Menke (1927); Wm. H. Tippet (pilot)
• RIVERS: Mississippi River; Ohio River
• OTHER INFORMATION: She originally seated 1400 people. Around 1913, R.W. Emerson bid $11,000 for her at an auction. Under his ownership, the center aisle was widened and seating was reduced to 1300. By the time J. W. Menke was her owner, the seating capacity was 980 people. In 1909 she was towed by the Wabash at Sistersville, West Virginia. From 1923 to circa 1932 she was towed by the Crown Hill. At some point, the W.W. towed her at Augusta, Kentucky. The Liberty towed her on the Ohio River in 1936. On June 1, 1962 she was damaged by fire. In 1968 she was designated a National Historical Landmark. She was still presenting live performances in 1979 at St. Louis, Missouri
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: The showboat band in 1917 at Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Left to right: Dorsie Mann, trap drummer; M.A. (Marty) Martell, leader; Ed Price, trombone and acting; William Hackett, trombone; Clarence Whitehill, baritone and saxophone; Harry Mitchell, cornet (also the mail carrier for the boat); Wm. McKinley (Tubie) Madison, tuba; Fritz Hans, violin and mellophone; Vic Corsi, clarinet and violin; Earl (Sorg) Boyer, calliope and trumpet; Frank Williams, cornet, piano and acting; Paul Brown, bass drum and acting; Harry Rice, manager of the Goldenrod