Historic Sternwheeler Preservation Society, Inc.

A non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of vintage sternwheel vessels.

HSPS Mission Statement:
To preserve, research and promote the heritage and historical significance of sternwheel vessels.

Who We Are:
HSPS is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Our office is located in the tiny hamlet of Lamb, Indiana, at mile 546 of the Ohio River. The Board of Directors, crewmembers and volunteers at HSPS are all like-minded people interested in the preservation of authentic/vintage sternwheel vessels, including the history and artifacts of these vessels.

What We Do:
HSPS has the following objectives:

Preservation of authentic sternwheel vessels under the care of HSPS
Preserve and catalog related artifacts
Conduct historical research
Promote a general awareness of sternwheel vessels and their function through
public education
Secure technical, financial, educational and other services required to develop,
maintain and carry-out the active plan of HSPS

Bulletins

2008 Steamboat Calendar "Excursion Boats" Available Now

Gas & Diesel Sternwheel Directory Project

New book available: "Beatty's Navy"

We accept donations!

Our Vessels:
The focus of HSPS is towards sternwheel vessels which meet criteria that makes them of historical significance. Typically HSPS vessels must meet all of the following criteria:

Vessels which are solely propelled by a paddlewheel.
(particularly sternwheelers, although we also research sidewheelers).
Vessels which were built before 1950.
Generally, before 1950 the paddlewheel was still considered a viable
propulsion method on the inland rivers, and was more often employed
for a purpose, rather than as a mere novelty. The vast majority of
vessels built after 1950 favor methods of propulsion other than a
paddlewheel, except for reasons of posterity.

HSPS is also interested in paddlewheel vessels that meet the following criteria:

Vessels built since 1950 to the exacting design specifications of
pre-1950 sternwheel vessels(e.g. Julia Belle Swain, Natchex IX, etc).
Pre-1950 vessels which are no longer solely propelled by a paddlewheel,
but retain their vintage paddlewheel drivetrain. (e.g. Str. President).

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About The Background Image

Our background image is the paddlewheel of the towboat JASON. The photo (one of many in our inventory) was taken by Captain Leon Ash in 1943. Captain Ash was the Captain and Master of the Jason from 1941 to 1944. The JASON was built by the Marietta Manufacturing Company in 1940 and was the last steam sternwheel towboat built for inland river service. The boat became the HERBERT E. JONES in 1951 and was decommissioned in 1961. The MISSISSIPPI QUEEN's steam engines were modeled after the JASON's 2,000 horsepower engines. The JASON's paddlewheel is now on display in the Bessemer Court area of Pittsburgh's Station Square shopping district.
JASON Paddlewheel
Paddlewheel of steam towboat JASON, 1943

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