The "Rowena" Memory Lives on Today!
The "Rowena" steamboat sank and died in the Cumberland River more than 65 years ago. But an important part of her still lives on and is very much alive and stands high in Russell County today.
Thanks to Jamestown's Stewart "Windy" Dunbar, his brother Porter, and some employee's at the Union Underwear Company. The whistle of the "Rowena" was salvaged and repaired. It was tuned best to the ablility of the group of men and now blows the memorable sounds well remembered and known by so many. Its sits proudly ontop of the Union Underwear Company in Russell CountyThe "Rowena" will always be remembered as the lifeblood of the enviroment in its own time and place. . Travelers passing on U.S. 127 can see the nostaligic whistle. Everyday that the Union Underwear plant is in operation, the old "Rowena" steambot whistle will blow at 6pm.
Click Here to See The Rowena whistle at the Union Underwear Plant.
Information Obtained From The Cumberland Machine Shop & Supply Co., Purchasing Dept.
April 23rd, 1932
File Machinery Equipment K_3,
Mr. F.W. Ahsen,
Pilot Town, La.
(The description went as follows);
STEAMER ROWENA
Dear Sir,
The Packet Boat (Steamboat Rowena) is 168'-5" over all in length, 29'-7" over all in width, 5' depth of hold.
Wood hull of pine and oak, flat bottom, straight gunwale sides, model bow, duck breast, square stern with easy rakes,
center Bulkhead entire length of hull, closely spaced floor and rib timbers, registered tonnage 187 tons, carrying capacity
250 tons, number of decks two, height between decks 10' draft light with 50 tons of coal 30", draft loaded to capacity of 250 tons 5'.
Allowed 60 passengers, 20 state rooms, 56 berths, large unobstructed cabin, cook house and recess.
Skylight, no texas.
Stern wheel, engines steam, 275 indicated horse power, cylinders 11" diamoter, 6' stroke, California cut-off, average revolution of wheel 35 per minute, average speed per hour ten miles, consumption of coal in heavy packet trade 12 1/2 bushels per hour.
Boilers two, allowed 199- lbs. steam. Complete electric light plant and lighting system, including 2-1000 candle power searchlights.
Steam capstand on head, stage power operated, hand power seering gear. Deck, fire and boilers supply pump, two stationary smoke stacks.
The "Rowena" Ferry:
Among other Ferries, history records show that there was also a "Rowena" Ferry boat.
It was owned and operated by: William Lair in 1848, J.A. Vaughn 1901-1919, and Dr. M.M. Lawrence in 1920.
The fees charged were as follows:
1. 6 horse wagon with driver -------------------------------------- .65 ¢
2. 4 horse wagon with driver ---------------------------------------.45 ¢
3. 2 horses, light wheel wagon with driver ----------------------.25 ¢
4. 2 wheel carriage with driver-------------------------------------.25 ¢
5. Horse and rider-----------------------------------------------------.10 ¢
6. loose cattle per head------------------------------------------------.5 ¢
7. Hog per head----------------------------------------------------------.5 ¢
8. Stud horse or Jack--------------------------------------------------.25 ¢
9. Hogshead of Tobacco----------------------------------------------.50 ¢
10. Sheep or Goats each-----------------------------------------------.1 ¢
The Ferry regulations and prices were determined by the Fiscal Court and all laws pertaining to these operations were strictly enforced.
After the completion of KY.35, in the early thirties, the Ferry at Rowena came under
the control of the State Highway Dept. cable was strung across the river to stay the Ferry
and a Motor Launch replaced the Oars of earlier days. The Ferry operated until the filling
of Lake Cumberland and thus became the last Ferry to operate on the Cumberland River in Russell County.
