POMEROY — Those attending the Sternwheel Riverfest this weekend will be able to enjoy some calliope music and the sound of whistles from the M/V Anna Marie, a diesel sternwheel towboat built in 1930 by Ward Manufacturing of Charleston, W.Va.
Since the M/V Anna Marie is no longer self propelled, she is being transported to various river festivals and tribute occasions by the owner Amherst Madison by means of one of its historic sternwheelers, the M/V Laura J., M/V Lady Lois, M/V Major, or the historic twin screw M/V J.S. Lewis which are used for that purpose. This year the M/V Major,regularly used by the construction division at Amherst Madison, is providing transportation for the Anna Marie and will be bringing her to Pomeroy Friday for Riverfest.
When built, the Anna Marie had 250 horsepower and measured 20 feet x 109 feet. She is a sister to the P.A. Denny which has been to Pomeroy for Riverfest many times.
Currently, the M/V Anna Marie is outfitted with an authentic Foster Wheeler steam generator which is used to produce steam for demonstration of the whistles and a historic steam engine hoist. The three whistles that Amherst Madison provides for demonstration are: M/V Herbert E. Jones, 1940-1961, originally built by the Marietta Manufacturing Plant in Point Pleasant, W.Va.; the M/V Allegheny 1945-1957; and the M/V Ellen Hatfield, 1927-1956, originally the C.C. Webber, built by Dubuque Boat and Boiler Co. in Dubuque, Iowa.
Also on the Anna Marie is an authentic calliope which was purchased for demonstration by Capt. O. Nelson Jones.
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