Thames River / John R. King / Virginia H. Hudson

[mjbollinger]

Hi everyone,

This is a peripheral topic but I thought I'd ask the group anyway. Perhaps someone can help.

I am researching the history of the rail-transfer ferry Thames River (1871) which operated in Connecticut until 1889 when it was sold to the Baltimore & Eastern Shore Railroad, operating on the Chesapeake Bay.

After being seized by US marshals as part of a libel action in late 1891, it was converted by new owner Henry Clay Tunis to a barge for carrying lumber. It was sold in 1896 to the Hudson Brothers towing company and renamed John R. King. It was renamed later as Virginia H. Hudson and converted to a scow. It sank in 1906.

I am trying to find a photograph of this vessel AFTER its conversion to a barge, in other words, after 1891. I've checked the usual places (Mariner's Museum, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Mystic Seaport, etc.). There is nothing in shipindex.com under these newer names. But it can't hurt to ask this esteemed group.

Many thanks.

Marty