This boat was originally built by Robert P. Scripps of The Scripps Foundry & Machine in Fredericksburg, TX. According to John Woodson, a Stanley Steamer aficionado, Robert designated the boat “No.4,” though it is believed to be the first of two built. He made the patterns for the engines, which were cast in San Antonio, and his shop fabricated the hull, wheel, rudders, and more. On July 29, 2008 she was named the Wilhelmina in honor of Dick Vennerbeck’s Great Grandmother, Wilhelmina Bernadina Nystrom Fhalquist.

View footage of the Scripps “No. 2,” the Graceful Ghost, steaming in Caddo Lake (near the eastern corner of Texas).

“Inspiration and design elements for the boat and the first 4×16 engines came in the 1980s from a catalog reprint Marine Engines of Chicago, and an operating sternwheel exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. that runs on compressed air.

The 4×16 engines, framework and drive were built first, and some time later, 1985, the 38×8x2 steel hull was started in the spirit of a simple original boat that might have worked the shallow waters of the Brazos or Trinity Rivers in Texas.

The 3×12 and 5×20 patterns were also made and several casting sets were sold raw to hobbyists or machined to various stages of completion.

#4 was first launched and tested in 1987 on Texas Lakes and was trailered to Cincinnati for ‘Tall Stacks’ in 1988. #4 was sold to Howard Pickersgill and delivered to Clear Lake, CA. around 1997.

#5 was started in 1996, 40×12x2 to use the 5×20 engines. I have piloted this boat ‘Rio Colorado’ on Lake Buchanan in Texas. It is large and stable – the helm is on the upper level. The Scotch boiler will take 8 ft studs in the firebox until the oil burners have pressure. #5 now lives in Tennessee.

Scripps 5×20 engines/drive was installed on the ‘Graceful Ghost’ now operating under Capt. Lexie Palmore on Caddo Lake in East Texas.

Patterns still exist and ductile iron castings are available for all 3 engine sizes 3×12, 4×16, 5×20.”

-Bob Scripps, Scripps Foundry and Machine, Fredericksburg, TX.