William G. Clyde (Towboat, 1922-1938)

Date

• December 30, 1921

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Towboat
• BUILT: 1922 at Ambridge, Pennsylvania by the American Bridge Company; completed at Coal Valley, Pennsylvania marine ways
• BECAME: James E. Lose
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Rebuilt and renamed in 1938
• OWNERS: Carnegie Steel Company
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain Cal Blazier (master, 1925); Captain John R. Trail (master, 1936); O.E. Hines (pilot, 1936); Charles R. Harding (engineer, 1936)
• RIVERS: Monongahela River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T2662; She was launched on December 30, 1921. On August 7, 1925 she made a trip from Colonial Mine on the Monongahela River to Lock 7 and back to Brownsville towing an excursion barge. On board were many prominent people (the president of Carnegie Steel; the chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh; the president of H.C. Frick Coke and others). In 1934 she brought two loads of steel products from Pittsburgh to New Orleans for Houston, Texas, the initial movement of that type. While under charter to the Mississippi Valley Barge Line, she exploded a boiler on March 4, 1936 between Grand Tower and Wittenburg, Missouri. She was upbound at the time with seven loads. Captain Trail, master, sustained several broken ribs, right shoulder and toe fracture plus severe scalding. The boat which suffered some damage was towed back to Coal Valley, Pennsylvania where she was rebuilt and came out in 1938 as the James E. Lose
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: The launching of the William G. Clyde on December 30, 1921