April 21, 2021 By Capt. David Smith
The Charles Ward Engineering Works, Charleston, W.Va., was a pioneer in the advent of the screw propeller as a means of providing thrust to towing vessels. The James Rumsey, built by Ward in 1903 as a 350 hp. steam, single-screw towboat for the U.S. Engineer Department, created a lot of attention with a celebrated shoving contest against the steam sternwheel D.T. Lane of the Campbells Creek Coal Company, which had similar horsepower rating. The winner of the contest was debated by rivermen for years, and it was judged to be an even draw by most, though many felt the Rumsey was the victor.