New Boats Old Legends | Lexington News

Lexington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 26, 2026 · 1m

New activity’s stirring at Lischkge Harbor with fresh docks and boats quietly emerging—plus, the legendary sternwheeler Rafter CLYDE just sold to a local buyer, hopefully getting the TLC she’s long overdue for. This sparked a deep dive into steamboat history, spotlighting William Hopkins, a Scottish-trained ironclad builder who later founded Iowa Iron Works and crafted giants like the BETSY ANN and PELICAN—both of which left indelible marks on American waterways. And while the DELTA QUEEN remains in limbo, her iconic paddlewheel still evokes memories of riverboat glory—and now, with the…