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Camp Monroe was the southernmost point for steamships to transport troops and supplies as the Seminole War was going on. The camp was later renamed to Fort Mellon, the name honored Captain Charles Mellon who was killed by Seminoles during the war (Robison). Nine named steamships alongside thirty other unnamed steamships served Fort Mellon in 1837. The steamships were chartered by the army during the Second Seminole War.
Friday Nights, Special Events, Holidays
By 1885 cities along the river grew as the local economy flourished (St. Johns Riverkeeper). The Rivership Barbara-Lee is an authentic sternwheeler that sails the St. Johns River. The ship measures 105 feet from stem to stern and was built in 1986, refurbished in 2012 for its inaugural St. Johns River cruise. Featuring ornate wrought iron railings and wooden paddle wheels, the Barbara-Lee exudes the elegance of historical steamers on the St. Johns River.
Cruise & Events Calendar
If you go there, you will find no signs or markers claiming such fame, only ones sharing the fact that granite was once quarried in the area. Today, the St. Johns Rivership Co. revives the traditions of historical sternwheelers and celebrates America’s great sternwheeler heritage. Slow-roasted chicken breast with Parmesan and a savory mango-pineapple chutney atop rice. EntrĂ©es are chef-prepared to your liking and served with side salad, freshly baked rolls, chef’s choice vegetables and dessert.
Rhode Island
The Barbara-Lee uses diesel engines for the twin paddlewheels, ensuring safety and reliability compared to traditional steam engines. The St. Johns River has a rich history, dating back to the early 1500s when it was explored by Europeans. Steamboats were first known to sail the St. Johns River in the 1830s, becoming a vital link between north and central Florida. Tourism to Florida boomed in the late 19th century, and Jacksonville became a gateway to the warm winter retreats in Central Florida. Wyatt’s passion for hospitality and appreciation for providing exceptional experiences to customers has now been directed towards this historic and historically relevant attraction housed in the Downtown Sanford Marina.
At that spot the map marks the Caryville Dam, but it was removed a few years ago. We set off on another gray day from Howard Street in Milford, upstream from Bellingham’s Box Pond, where we first got our feet wet on Day 1. As noted, the Charles River “starts” a little over 80 miles from the harbor. But the paddler’s map published by the Charles River Watershed Association picks things up at the North Bellingham Dam, 65.4 miles from Boston Harbor.
Things to do at St Johns Rivership Co.
The Barbara-Lee contributes to the local Sanford economy since guests spend money in beautiful Sanford.The river has such an interesting history that in 1998 it was designated an American Heritage River by President Clinton. The St. Johns is the only river in Florida and one of only 14 rivers in the entire United States to receive this prestigious national recognition (St. Johns Riverkeeper). Over the last few years, Historic Downtown Sanford has become a recognized and preeminent destination within Central Florida for its events & experiences. From large scale neighborhood-infused music festivals to outlandishly fun sofa races, from golf cart & e-bike rentals along the Sanford Riverwalk to enjoying a craft brewery or food tour, from taking in award-winning shows and plays to...
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Scenic Boat Tour
Not far downstream from all the multimillion-dollar real estate we passed on our previous leg, we come upon the only trailer park inside Boston’s city limits. We end our day at the Millennium Park boat launch in West Roxbury to the sound of the Needham Heights commuter rail train rumbling outbound. All enclosed decks are climate controlled by air conditioning and heating. On our penultimate leg, Gene and I put in on a gorgeous Saturday in early September and paddle 9 miles through Waltham, Watertown, and into Allston. The lake, which is actually a man-made reservoir for the town of Milford, sits 83 miles — as the water flows — from Boston Harbor.
Measuring 105 feet from stem to stern, the ship was built in 1986 and was extensively refurbished prior to its inaugural St. Johns cruise in 2012. Featuring ornate wrought iron railings and massive wooden paddle wheels, the five-story rivership accommodates up to 194 guests, making it ideally suited to host events of varying sizes. Plus, all enclosed decks are climate controlled by air conditioning and heating. Before hundreds of miles of highways crossed the state of Florida, even before railroads took over the nation, steamships were used in Florida for travel, transportation, and trade (Robison). Steamships were faster than sailboats and could travel longer distances. Historian Arthur E. Francke Jr. wrote that steamships were a vital part of the Second Seminole War.

Layers of slow-roasted vegetables, pasta, marinara sauce and three kinds of cheese.Crisp romaine lettuce tossed in our signature Caesar dressing, with homemade croutons and Parmesan topped with your choice of grilled Chicken Breast or Salmon Fillet. Thick-cut salmon prepared with your choice of Lemon Butter Sauce or Teriyaki Glaze atop rice. Chicken breast prepared in a Marsala sauce reduction with mushrooms and Parmesan and served alongside buttery mashed potatoes. From our homeport on Lake Monroe in Historic Downtown Sanford, the Barbara-Lee cruises the St. Johns River while providing a one-of-a-kind cruise.
The St. Johns River which runs in a northernly direction, interestingly, was discovered in the early 1500s by Spanish seamen. After warfare over the years with the French, the Spanish named the river Rio de San Juan which means St. Johns River (SJRWMD). The name has stuck and many people live along the river, traverse the river for pleasure and of course the Barbara-Lee travels along it daily twice a day. Since 1890 many changes have occurred to the local economy transitioning businesses away from just using the river as a source to transport goods such as lumber and citrus.
This was the first extensive use of steamships in warfare, according to Francke (Robison). They were also used to trade goods from Tampa Bay to Cuba and the Caribbean. Flagler in the 1890s built hotels along the Biscayne Bay and used steamships to carry passengers to the different hotels (Gannon). Steamships contributed to the Florida economy by attracting rich northerners to come and enjoy nice, warm Florida weather so they could get away from the cold (SJRWMD).
Additionally, “cross-generational” activities to attract and engage a younger generation such as “Pirates and Mermaids” and “Sailing with Santa” events are part of the vision, along with monthly drink specials and other exciting events. Planning to end the day in the harbor, we have watched the boating forecast closely; our river kayaks aren’t ideal for ocean waters and we want the flattest seas we can get. Finding the channel adjacent to the Museum of Science and squeezing past another duck boat, we slip under the Zakim Bridge and pause outside the Charles River Dam locks. As if to keep us in check, several weeks later, a seriously ornery swan guarding its cygnet in a narrow stretch of water threatens to swamp my boat, then Gene’s, forcing us into a semi-panicked escape.
Meeting with new owner Michelle Wyatt on the Barbara Lee, I was quickly impressed by both the scope and speed of the upgrades and enhancements already in place, and the vision of what’s to come. Acquiring the St. Johns Rivership Co. on September 7, 2023, the Wyatts are now the third family to operate a dining experience aboard a Rivership from the Historic Downtown Sanford Marina since 1982. The Wyatt family successfully ran a software business for 22 years in Maryland, with a focus on event management and mobile app solutions. Michelle’s extensive experience in business development, her strategic vision, and focus on providing an elite guest experience to each guest already has the St. Johns Rivership Co. pointed in the right direction.
A covered open-air deck overlooking the wheels allows you to stay out of the sun while enjoying unobstructed views of the river and its wildlife. We hang a left toward Charlestown and check out Old Ironsides before quickly and carefully crossing the channel back over toward Long Wharf. He is largely dried out by the time we wrap up, pulling off within sight of Harvard Stadium, where a silver pillar marks the finish line of the Head of the Charles Regatta course.
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