Miss Lona
Boat Name: Miss Lona
Owner: Captain Jeremy S. Tardy
Phone: (225) 301-0280 E-mail: wvwheelwash15@yahoo.com
Home Port: Charleston, WV
Hull Information: 4 interior watertight compartments with 10 double-skinned outer fuel cell compartments
Hull Size: 86'L x 16.5'W x 5'D - overall length 102'
Paddlewheel Information: 10'D x 10'W - 12 buckets
Engine Information: GM 6-71 Diesel (rebuilt in 2005) - 165hp.
Drive Train Information: Twin Disc 3.2:1 reduction on Single-Sprocket Chain Drive
Builder Information: Construction began in 1937. Completed and put into service in 1938. Originally a single-screw towboat built by Ed Erlbacher of Cape Girardeau, MO. Miss Lona is the fifth and final towboat built by Ed Erlbacher. She is the only one he built with a steel superstructure.
Superstructure Information: All steel superstructure. This vessel will comfortably sleep 9 adults. Pilothouse features a lazy bench which pulls out to a day bed. 12 feet of superstructure was added to the Texas Deck by Frank Fink of Charleston, WV which includes a wine bar and wet bar. Exterior Texas Deck includes a covered entertainment area with outdoor galley which can be fully enclosed when desired. Also, a sun deck is atop the Texas Deck. The Main Deck includes a Main Salon, Full Galley, small Bunk Room, and Main Bunk Room with a shower/head. Engine Room is astern of the living quarters separated by a steel bulkhead.
Misc. Information: The Miss Lona has 5,400 gallons diesel fuel capacity and 1,000 gallons of potable water capacity. She is equipped with 4 refrigerators, 1 deep freezer washer and dryer, central air and heat, electric fireplace, 600 gallons compressed air, and welding capacities. While underway, all electricity is supplied by a 23kw Stamford Generator powered by a 4-cylinder Perkins Diesel.
Narrative:
Sternwheel yacht. Built 1938 by Ed Erlbacher of Cape Girardeau, MO. with a supercharged Cooper Bessemer diesel. Rebuilt 1961 by Waxler Towing Company of Memphis, TN. Retired from pushing barges and rebuilt from single-screw towboat to sternwheel yacht in 1985 in Henderson, WV. Hull size is 86'L x 16.5'W. Overall length is 102'. Powered by a GM 6-71 Diesel (rebuilt 2005) with Twin Disc red. 3.2:1. 265hp. Originally named Shawnee by owner. Sold 1961 and renamed Delane Waxler by Waxler Towing Company, Memphis, TN. Sold June of 1968 to Marine Salvage Inc., New Matamoras, OH. Sold 1970 and renamed Carolyn Sue by Scioto Docking Inc., Portsmouth, OH. Sank 1983, raised and sold to McGinnis Inc., South Point, OH. Sold 1985, renamed Sheila D by River City Steamboat Company, Parkersburg, WV. Sold 2001 and renamed Pamela D by Frank Fink, Charleston, WV. Mr. Fink added 12 feet of superstructure to the Texas Deck and totally renovated the interior living quarters. Sold 2008 and renamed Miss Lona by Captain Jeremy S. Tardy, Marmet, WV.