Day 51 - November 3, 2012: Visit to the U.S. Snagboat Montgomery

We arose this morning to greet one of the best weather days we have enjoyed on the Great Loop. It was 83 degrees, sunny and calm, and Great Laker was spotless from our thorough cleaning for guests yesterday.

Clean and ready to get underway

We passed through the Stennis Lock and motored down the Tenn-Tom to Pickensville, AL. Just above the Tom Bevill Lock is the Tom Bevill Visitor Center, and we stopped, anchored and took the dinghy in for a visit. The visitor center is an authentic reproduction of an 1830 - 1860 Greek revival home, and the Greek theme is also reflected in the interior and furnishings.

Tom Bevill Visitors Center

Of special interest to me was the U.S. Snagboat Montgomery, built around 1926 and retired from service in 1982. It is a 180-foot, steam-powered sternwheeler and was used to remove fallen trees and stumps on the waterways of the South. There are two large steam pistons driving the paddle wheel and two more powering the crane. The steam boiler was originally heated by coal, and later converted to oil. This snagboat has been carefully restored and is open to visitors.

U.S. Snagboat Montgomery

Giant paddle wheel with 3 rudders

Larry at the helm