Floating restaurants that sink #2 - Riverboat BECKY THATCHER
Originally built as the MISSISSIPPI (III) in 1926 for the Army Corps of Engineers, it was an inspection/workboat but could also carry 65 passengers. Retired in April 1961, she was purchased and taken to Hannibal, Mo for a restaurant/museum. Then in 1965 she was resold, moved to St. Louis and renamed BECKY THATCHER. Extensively remodeled in 1968 and 69. In 1969 the Becky broke her mooring lines during a storm and was swept downstream. With 100 people aboard, she passed two bridges but did not suffer any severe damages. She crashed into the Monsanto dock on the Ill. side of the river, and was sued and held accountable for damages. Apparently not very profitable, the restaurant closed in 1974. In 1974, she was seized and foreclosed upon by the Bank of St. Louis. She was sold at auction for $125,000 to Ohio Showboat Drama, of Marietta, Ohio. The owners ran the theater operation, and leased the upper 2 decks to a restaurant operator. Again poor finances, she was moved across the river, where she sank in 1984. Refloated and repaired, she struggled on for years at the Ohio location. Moved again, she sank again in Feb 2010 (photos). Moved by a new owner to Pittsburgh for repairs, the second and third decks collapsed onto the first, leaving it a complete wreck to be demolished. Sad end, fond memories. The mailing date on the back of the postcard is Sep 8, 1970. The handwriting and address to Whittier Ca have been removed with PhotoShop.