92-year-old shares steamboat tales

WHO: J. Wilson Tinney, 92, Ives Hill Retirement Community, has had a fascination with boats since he lived in Esopus, along the Hudson River, for most of his life. Mr. Tinney recently presented his stories along with a slide show, titled “Steamboats on the Hudson,” on Aug. 14 at the Jefferson County Historical Society.

How did your fascination with steamboats begin?

“When I lived in Port Ewen, 95 percent of the male population worked on steamboats. The Mary Powell was built by M.S. Allison, who married a relative and my grandfather was a cousin of Capt. Absalom Anderson. I sailed on the river in the ’50s, and I had always been interested in the river.”

What other fascinating family history stories along the Hudson are there?

“My uncle John was to be a member of the crew on the Titanic, but his wife was due to have a baby. My uncle’s brother also worked on the Mary Powell.”

Tell me a little bit about the ship decor in your home.

“I have about 25 paintings of boats, and about 15 were in the historical society.”

Mr. Tinney also has books on the history of Esopus, as well as other books, which discuss ship life along the Hudson River.

“I’ve done a lot of writing about ships. I wrote a couple dozen articles on local history for a newsletter. I’ve been blessed with a pretty good memory, except of what I did five minutes ago.”

What would you like people to know about steamboats or steamboat history?

“Robert Fulton’s boat was not the first steamboat, but his was only the first proven to be successful.”

What’s your favorite memory of growing up along the Hudson River?

“My father, when he came to America worked for the biggest towing company in America. One of the tugboats went to Poughkeepsie for an annual regatta. The tugboat stood by and used to take four to five of us boys down to the boat races. We also had a camp on the shore, so I sailed the length of the Hudson several times.

Another one of my fondest memories was sailing to New York City on the Washington Irving. It sunk, though, when I was 10. I was heartbroken.”

How has your love of boats carried on through your life?

“I’ve built two boats, and they’re at my granddaughter’s in Pamelia. I built a very nice sail boat.”

Tell me what else you like to do aside from tell steamboat history.

“We used to have a three-man band back in the ’50s and ’60s. I had a well-rounded life, I don’t know why the Lord was so good to me. I still play golf. I like big band music of the ’50s and ’60s, like Glenn Miller. I haven’t played the accordion in a while, but I used to play it a lot and entertain. I also like to travel. I’ve been to France two times and Scotland three times.

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