Duffy (Towboat, 1921-1946)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Towboat
• BUILT: Jefferson, Indiana by Howard Ship Yards, 1921
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Dismantled July, 1946
• OWNERS: Ohio River Sand and Gravel Company
• OFFICERS & CREW: 1921: Captain William Daugherty (master), William Heyn (chief engineer), Charles R. Harding, Jr. (engineer), John Brendel (crew member); 1939: Captain Wymond Brasher (master), Captain Bill Bennett, James C. Thacker (chief engineer); Captain George W. McBride (pilot)
• RIVERS: Ohio River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T0639; The towboat Duffy was a long-time resident of Louisville's waterfront at the Ohio River Sand and Gravel Company. She was the maid of all work around Louisville's harbor for 25 years mostly towing sand and gravel from the company's dredge Kentucky to their yard at the foot of First Street. This boat also scraped the wharf and caught boats and barges after launchings at the Howard Shipyard & Dock Company. The sand company hinged a huge blade to the headlog of a barge to scrape out their landing. The City of Louisville hired the Duffy to perform this work at the public wharf after every spring flood. Its master for many years was Captain William Daugherty who fell overboard in 1939. His body was found on November 21, 1939 above 12 Mile Island, upriver from Louisville. Another crew member, John Brendel, also missing, was located the next day by the US Coast Guard. William Heyn was chief engineer until his death at Jefferson, Indiana in September, 1935. The boat was dismantled and towed to Cincinnati in July, 1946 where Captain John L. Beatty wrecked her