Location:              Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

           

Description:          The Becky Thatcher, constructed in 1926, is a moored Sternwheel Riverboat measuring approximately 220 feet in lenth, 38 feet wide, 53 feet tall and consists of three decks, and in 1983 was entered into the National Registry for Historic Places. The hull of the Becky Thatcher is constructed of steel, and the 3 story structure above, is constructed of wood.  In 2004 a 160x 8  foot  floating dock was constructed and attached to the hull, creating an opportunity for boaters to tie up to the Becky Thatcher. The dock is attached to the hull with hinged steel rods that allow the dock to easily adjust to changing river level, and to be easily detached for serviceability or moving, if required.

                              Located on two decks of the Becky Thatcher is the fine dining restaurant and bar known as “1926”. The fine dining main room seats approximately 70 in a white table cloth, exquisitely decorated room of antiques, and large chandeliers. The large commercial kitchen is located directly adjacent to the dinning room and all restaurant food preparation is accomplished in this kitchen. A stairway leads from the kitchen to the upper dinning room (River Room) and a stairway leads to the lower deck (Theater Deck) for walk in refrigeration and dry storage. On the River Room deck, an additional prep kitchen is located which also contains a large dry storage room. This prep kitchen is currently not in use.

 

                              The entry lobby features honey colored hardwood floors with the Becky Thatcher emblem hand painted on the lobby floor. The lobby is tastefully decorated in a navy blue/ burgundy/ antique white and gold color scheme, and features a mahogany wood color stairway that leads to the upper deck. The gracious lobby separates the fine dining room from the 1926 bar.

 

                              The bar, tastefully decorated with a bit of a New Orleans flair, seats approximately 70 inside, and 38 outside.

 

                              The top dining room known as the “River Room” functions as a room for overflow dining, banquets and private parties. This beautifully decorated room with shades of green, lace curtains, and shaded wall sconces, is a favorite among locals with it bright light that streams through a bank of windows on both the water and shore sides of the room.

   

                              In late 2004 the Becky Thatcher went through an extensive renovation that included, significant wood replacement, new lighting throughout the interior/exterior, electrical wiring updating, plumbing, new HVAC units as needed, complete interior/ exterior painting (except paddle wheel and interior of theater room), and full renovation of the two restaurant decks.

 

                              The lowest deck of the Becky Thatcher which once housed a dinner theater, is in need of remodeling, and has a very large stage, and theater lighting system. Walk in Refrigeration, and a large storage room are on this deck as well, and are utilized by the restaurant.

 

                              This large theater room is fire rated for 212 persons, and a designed seating plan with dance floor was created to accommodate 125 seats, with a night club use intended.

 

                              Currently outside this lowest deck theater room on the bow of the ship, are four large picnic tables and umbrellas. Although this area has direct access from the bar above, the bow area would be best utilized as an outside seating area for lower deck..

                              The dimensions of some of the rooms are:
Main Dinning 42'10"x28'5"
Bar 30'9"x28'6"
Upstairs Dinning 58'4"x12'10"
Upstairs Front Room 23'5"x13"
Downstairs Stage Area 76'x30'
Back Stage 30'x26'
The entry lobby is about 20x25, the outside bar area seats 38, Their are 2 double stall restrooms in the lobby, the main kitchen, the upstairs prep kitchen, dry storage behind the prep kitchen, and another large room behind the stage that was a dressing/ makeup room for about 20. Misc areas include a small bathroom in the upstairs dining room, stairways, and electric room.

 

Insurance:            A Marine Insurance policy on the Becky Thatcher is provided by Essex Insurance of Virginia, and consists of both liability and physical damage coverage.

 

 

History:                The Becky Thatcher was originally built as the Mississippi III, as an inspection boat for the Army Corps of engineers. In 1926 her steel hull and machinery were new, but the cabins came from her predecessor the Mississippi II. Comfortable cabin space was available for 65 passengers.

 

                              The vessel was retired in 1961, was sold and towed to MO in 1964 to serve as a restaurant and museum. In 1965 she was sold, towed back to St. Louis, and re-named the Becky Thatcher. She was renovated in 1968, the boilers removed in 1973, and the engines sold to the New Orleans Steamboat Company. In 1975 the Becky Thatcher was purchased by a group of citizens in Marietta OH, and was towed to Marietta as part of a bicentennial project. The Becky Thatcher was moved to Pittsburg in October of 2009.

 

                              From 1976 until 2003 the Becky Thatcher operated as a restaurant and theater and managed by a non-profit organization.

 

                              In 1985 extensive repairs were made to the hull, with new ¼” steel overlay plating attached to the hull, and bottom painted with tar apoxy. In July 2004 a marine survey was performed for the current owner of the Becky Thatcher, and no hull damage was found at that time. The marine survey was conducted at time of purchase, and prior to any renovation of the Becky Thatcher that was completed in late 2004, and early 2005. A new inspection and under water survey was completed in January 09.

 

 

A residential conversion would also suit this vessel well.

Please call me at any time at the number above regarding this unique opportunity.