Darling (Towboat, 1899-1930?)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Towboat
• BUILT: 1899 at Parkersburg, West Virginia
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Laid up and dismantled, 1930
• OWNERS: Lewis Pope and Sons; Rosebud Fuel Company; Captain John L. Howder and Captain Charles T. Campbell (1915); Whiteman Brothers of New Orleans (1916); Baker Towboat Company of Tuscaloosa
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain Ab Dunbargar; Captain S.P. Gray; Captain Oscar J. Blanchard; Ed Pearsall (chief engineer)
• RIVERS: Kanawha River; Tombigbee River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T0572; Built by Lewis Pope and Sons for their own use in towing cross ties from Little Kanawha River to Pittsburgh. After the Popes sold out their tie interests to C.S. Pearcy, the Darling was sold to the Rosebud Fuel Company of Fairmont, West Virginia. The Darling then towed from the 15th pool, Monongahela River to the McKeesport Tin Plate mill at McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Captains Howder and Campbell bought her in 1915 and rebuilt her at Dravosburg Docks, then sold her in February 1916. Soon after, ownership was transferred to Mobile and the Darling became an active addition to the Tombigbee River. While on the Ohio River she had one noteworthy accident when, in February 1907, she collided with the loaded tow of the Iron Age at McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania opposite Crump's abutment. She was run ashore on the McKees Rocks side and sank with her bow out of the water and the stern under. Captain Dunbargar was trapped in his stateroom and survived drowning only by holding his nose up between the ceiling carlins until the crew chipped through the roof and extracted him. The Darling carried a duplicate of the Urania packet whistle made by Jim McConnell of the Marietta Manufacturing Company. She took it to Mobile with her. Rivermen frequently referred to this boat as "Pope's Darling"