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Ward Engineering, Charleston WV

Most recent update: September 22, 2010.

Charles Ward Engineering Works was founded by Charles Ward in 1872 and remained in operation until 1931.  The yard pioneered the development of the tunnel stern propeller-driven towboat and was among the first companies to install diesel power in towboats.   It was located on the south bank of the Kanawha River, on McCorkle Avenue, directly opposite the Kanawha County Courthouse.  If anyone can add to the table below, please e-mail timcolton@aol.com.

Hull # Original Name Original Owner Ship Type Tons Delivery Disposition
  Mascot   Towboat 8 1894  
  Madge Charles Ward Recreational 9 1897 Named for Mrs. Ward
  Unique   Towboat 33 1901  
  A. M. Scott   Towboat 168 1906  
  Clairton   Towboat 245 1918 Later Kanawha 1919, Alicia 1926, Henry A. Roemer 1936, J. M. Leithead 1944
  Natchez   Towboat 757 1920  
  St. Louis   Towboat 757 1920  
  Vicksburg   Towboat 757 1921  
  General John McE. Hyde

US Army

 Ferry 539 1921

Sunk by gunfire at Corregidor 1942
  General Frank M. Coxe

US Army

 Ferry 539 1922

Later Showboat and Pattaya Princess, laid up for years, now The Sherman, a restaurant in Burlingame CA
  Ste. Genevieve   Rail Ferry 1,667 1922  
  Destrehan   Towboat 371 1922  
  W. C. Kelly     111 1923  
  Greenbrier (WAGL 214) US Coast Guard Tender 440d 1924 Later Mississippi 1948
  Geo. C. Price     236 1925  
  E. D. Kenna     388 1926  
  Duncan Bruce     357 1927  
  W. A. Shepherd     267 1927  
  Incor     221 1928  
  Captain Eric Bergland Corps of Engineers Towboat 47 1928 Later Sarah 1947, Jeannette B 1987, active
  Major Kelley's Creek Barge Towboat 59 1928 Active
  Bull Dog   Towboat 54 1929 Later Pure Gyrol, D. L. Gilland 1949, active
  Captain George Corps of Engineers Tug 148 1929 Later Kurt R. Luedtke 1973, Captain George 1991, tied up in Muskegon MI
  Criterion Frank W. Paden Towboat 19 1928 Later D. W. Wyatt 1963, Criterion 1985, active
  Tecumseh Corps of Engineers Towboat 96 1928 Later W. C. White 1950, Robin D 1971, Cotton Blossom 1973, active
  Dwight F. Davis     311 1929  
  Scott Corps of Engineers Towboat 77 1930 Later Robin D Too 1973, P. A. Denny 1975, school ship in Cincinnati OH
  Indiana   Towboat 913 1930  
  Louisiana   Towboat 913 1930  
  Tennessee   Towboat 913 1930  
  Ohio   Towboat 913 1930  
  T. R. Workman   Barge 648 1931 Active
  Henry A. Laughlin   Towboat 416 1931  
  Vesta   Towboat 416 1931 Later James A. Rankin 1948, Mike Creditor 1952, Orco 1954, J. S. Lewis 1955, active
      Barge   ? Now Edward's Moonlight, restaurant in Charleston WV