[Keith Norrington]

The former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers steamer MISSISSIPPI (#3), retired in 1961 and known as the BECKY THATCHER restaurant/museum/bar/showboat since 1966, is slated to be towed out of Marietta, barring a number of obstacles, on Wednesday, October 14th. To read the article from the Marietta newspaper, overlooking the usual historical errors, click on Showboat shipping out soon - MariettaTimes.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Ohio, Community Information - The Marietta Times.

The old steamboat has been plagued with a lengthy list of troubles, both at St. Louis (1966-1975) and at Marietta, her home since August, 1975 and where she survived a sinking in 1984. From one of the Becky's longtime and faithful "friends", my best wishes to all concerned and here's hoping she finds a better life at a new landing!

(1) St. Louis - 1966
(2) St. Louis - 1970
(3) Marietta - from Harmar side of Muskingum River - October 6, 1975 - Photo courtesy of Fred McCabe.