Unveiling the Transformation of the CLYDE River: Witnessing its Rebirth as We Anticipate Unforeseen, Yet Eagerly Awaited Progress
In the heart of a bustling marina, the paddlewheeler CLYDE, a vessel with a rich history tied to the Newcomb family and the river, stood as the biggest boat. However, a recent photograph revealed that the CLYDE was moored in a slip too short for the boat.
This narrative is a testament to Captain Don Sanders, a river man, a columnist for the NKyTribune, and author of the book "The River". Sanders, known for his deep connection to the river and storytelling, acquired the CLYDE in 2012 after spotting it for sale. He undertook significant journeys covering about 1,300 river miles from Wisconsin to Aurora Bend with the help of Everett Dameron.
The CLYDE, initially a reduced version of a historical raftboat built by Ed Newcomb in 1990, was later sold to the Upper Tennessee River. However, the vessel was later rescued and restored by Captain Jake, a Cincinnati harbor towboat pilot, bringing the CLYDE back to its former dock and gradually returning it to operational condition.
Captain Jake aims to make the CLYDE look just like it did when the writer had it, honoring the original 1870s Upper Mississippi rafter, CLYDE. He recently spent time rebuilding the exterior of the pilothouse of the paddlewheeler CLYDE, a 50-foot replica of the first iron-hulled steamboat built on the Upper Mississippi River.
The pilothouse renovation involved the removal of original vinyl clapboard siding, replacement of the wooden substructure, and the use of sheets of wooden beadboard for the new siding. The final touch was a coat of ultra-white paint specifically designed for maritime construction use, giving the CLYDE a clean, new look.
Captain Jake "shut 'er down" and secured the CLYDE in Slip #16 on Bravo Dock around 9:45 p.m. His journey doesn't end here, as he continues to restore the CLYDE to its former glory.
It's worth noting that the original CLYDE, built in 1870, was a sidewheel raftboat that was later rebuilt as a sternwheeler. The AMERICAN MELODY pilot revealed that he once steered the CLYDE on the Upper Mississippi River for builder Ed Newcomb. The reconfigured CLYDE guided great rafts of first-growth Wisconsin White Pine logs from the Mouth of the Chippewa River south to St. Louis.
On the way home, the CLYDE passed the ship-like overnight passenger vessel AMERICAN MELODY. The CLYDE covered some 1,300 river miles from Alma, Wisconsin, to Aurora Bend under the ownership of the writer and with the help of Everett Dameron.
For those interested in learning more about the river and its history, Captain Don Sanders' book "The River" is now available for purchase for $29.95 plus handling and applicable taxes. The book can be purchased from the website, Roebling Books locations, Behringer Crawford Museum, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare gift shops.
As the CLYDE continues its journey, it serves as a testament to the dedication and passion of Captain Jake and the preservation of riverboat history and culture on American inland waterways.
- Captain Jake, residing in Cincinnati, aims to restore the CLYDE to its original 1870s appearance, emulating the lifestyle and home-and-garden aesthetics of that era.
- The CLYDE, initially constructed in Northern Kentucky, found its way to the Upper Tennessee River before being rescued and brought back to Cincinnati for restoration.
- The renovated CLYDE, now stationed in Slip #16 on Bravo Dock, stands as a symbol of arts and culture, reflecting the rich history of inland waterways in the United States.
- The journey of the CLYDE not only encompasses its physical development but also literary works, such as Captain Don Sanders' book "The River," which delves into the health and stories of the river and its surrounding regions.
