Ohio River Museum

 October 2, 2022

Ashland RV Park site 24

Marietta, Ohio

Loads of history here where the Ohio River meets the Muskingum River.  The Ohio River Museum is blessed with a knowledgeable docent, Nancy who took Momma and Dad on a tour of the Steamboat docked at the museum.

This steamboat pushed barges on the river.  It was not a passenger Steamboat.  A crew of 18 lived aboard the ship that operated 24/7.  Three females held the positions of cook and maids while the other 15 male employees were responsible for the ship's navigation on the river as it pushed up to 6 barges lashed together.

It was interesting to note that the steering wheel is actually turned by two levers located on either side of the wheel, and not the knobs on the wheel itself.

As with the trains of this same steampowered time period, a system of whistles and bells rung in patterns was used to communicate needed changes in speed, direction, etc of the steamboat as it navigated the current and curves of the river.

Flatboats such as this replica were also used for transportation on the river.

The flatboat would float down the river (no motor-just the river current) loaded with items to sell.  If the current wasn't enough to move the boat, they would climb on the roof and pole the boat.  When it reached its destination and the load sold, the boat was sold to be dismantled for its lumber and they returned up river by horse. If it was a relocating family, the boat was dismantled and the lumber used in the construct a home.  Nothing was wasted and everything was put to use.

Pior to a system of dams, the river would flood its banks as high as 49 feet.  These poles depict the various water levels for the more impressive floods.

Docent Nancy had so much info to share that Momma and Dad were gone forever.  Now the question is, will their worn out, old minds be able to recall all that interesting information?

I'm Chloe