The Goldfinch was built in 1953 by the Dravo Corporation at Neville Island, PA. A twin screw towboat, she is 167 feet long and 36.5 feet wide. When repowered in 1972, her engines developed 4200 hp. The Goldfinch has been through many owners and names over the years. Originally, she was Southern, owned by Union Barge Line in Piitsburgh. In March 1970 she was purchased by Cardinal Carriers in Pittsburgh and renamed Goldfinch. She was sold in April 1973 to Union Mechling and transferred to Dravo Mechling in January 1980. D&M Towing out of Saint Louis bought her in February 1981 and renamed her Majestic. She was sold back to Dravo Mechling in February 1982 and renamed Southern, her original name, in March 1984. In February 1988 she was sold to National Marine in New Orleans, and leased a number of times. She was sold in February 1992 to Marquette Transportation Co. out of Paducah, Kentucky and renamed Darin Adrian.
My dad worked on the Goldfinch in the mid, and possibly late, 1970s. The photo was taken in May 1970 when she was upbound on the Ohio River at Sewickley, PA.
Photo courtesy of Dan Owen.