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Herman Pott Inland Waterways Collection - board member, Tom Grady, St. Louis

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Nov 30, 2025
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I am a retired Circuit Judge , past Commodore and boat owner for over 50 years here on the Mississippi. I am all thumbs as far as the fine skilled work being done by most of you , but have a fascination with the classic old Steamboats and their interior layouts . I have tried to locate the original deckhouse plans for the third J.M. White ( the big sidewheel cotton boat - masterpiece built for Cape. Tobin of NOLA . I've tried the library at U. of Indiana , the Howard museum, even the Historic New Orleans Collection , but had no success. The best model is at the Smithsonian, I'm informed . I had acquaintence with the Tobin family several times when their shop on Royal St. was open . Sweet people. Their tin builders' model has also disappeared which I know existed . Do any members have a decent lead on the whereabouts of the deck plans ? I have them for the Lee - almost a sister ship owned by Tobin friend and associate, Capt. Cannon. also those for the Stacker Lee ! Great Southern name ! A St. Louis legendary namesake murderer too.
 
A very long shot: I believe that the J. M. White was built at Jeffersonville, Indiana. The last operating shipyard there was Jeffboat. The last owner of Jeffboat was American Commercial Barge Lines. They closed the yard maybe 5-10 years ago. If there is any trove of archives they might still have them. On the other hand, it’s hard to believe that they wouldn’t have already turned them over to the Howard Museum.

Roger
 
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