Joe Cook (Towboat, 1930-1952)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Towboat
• BUILT: 1930 at Nashville, Tennessee by Nashville Bridge Company (hull)
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Retired in 1952
• OWNERS: Pfaff and Smith Builders Supply Company
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain Charles Wells (master); Captain Frank Wright (master); Nels Bowman (engineer); Clyde Barnett (pilot, 1947)
• RIVERS: Kanawha River; Elk River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T1384; Her engines were from the former towboat Western. In 1947, she got new engines from the snagboat Kentucky. At some point, she was given the whistle from the former packet Queen City. She was possibly the first steel hull boat built for the Kanawha River. On April 1, 1947 she exploded a boiler at Ravenswood, West Virginia. She had just cleaned boilers there and was raising steam. Three people were killed. On July 4, 1932, she was torn from her moorings when the Elk River ran out. Her stacks were knocked down, she ran the weir at Lock 6 and was captured by the J.C. Rawn