Ageing stern-wheeler has a date with demolition after failed restoration.
The owner of the Becky Thatcher, which is sinking in the Ohio River off Neville Island, has contracted with a company to demolish and remove the historic steamboat.
Owner Jeffrey Levin moved the 84-year-old stern-wheeler from Marietta, Ohio, to Pittsburgh in October in hopes of restoring it as a floating restaurant and bar. Last week, however, the top two decks collapsed into the bottom deck and the boat began taking on water. Mr. Levin said the boat, which was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, was “a total loss” and could not be repaired.
Employees of Delta Demolition Group, of Newton Falls, Ohio, have been visiting the boat and expect to begin the removal next week, said Lee Chaklos, company operations manager.
Read the full story here.
