Sternwheeler Gets Stuck on Little Kanawha River

Associated Press
3 January 2011

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. -- Firefighters rescued five passengers after a sternwheeler got stuck between two bridge piers on the Little Kanawha River.

The accident occurred Sunday afternoon near Parkersburg.

Captain and owner R.C. Heckert told The Parkersburg News that the rear of the sternwheeler Dixie spun around after the boat hit something in the channel. The 125-foot sternwheeler drifted and became wedged between two bridge piers.

Firefighers from the Parkersburg and Eastwood Volunteer fire departments removed a woman and four children from the boat. The Dixie's crew freed the sternwheeler. No one was injured.