George M. Verity (towboat)

The George M. Verity is a historic towboat located at the Armco Park in Middletown, Ohio. Built in 1927 by the Dubuque Boat & Boiler Works in Dubuque, Iowa, for the Inland Waterways Corporation (later renamed Federal Barge Lines), it was originally named the S.S. Thorpe.

Primarily used for towing barges on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, the S.S. Thorpe was a steam-powered sternwheeler. It operated for several decades, playing a crucial role in the transportation of goods and materials throughout the Midwest.

In 1960, the towboat was acquired by Armco Steel Corporation (now AK Steel) and renamed the George M. Verity in honor of the company's founder. Armco used the vessel as a floating museum, showcasing the history of river transportation and the steel industry.

The George M. Verity is significant due to its representation of a specific era of river transportation and its connection to the history of both the inland waterway system and the Armco Steel Corporation. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 and remains a prominent landmark in Middletown, Ohio, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. Its steam engines and other mechanical components are largely intact, providing a tangible link to the days of steam-powered river transport. The boat is open for tours and serves as an educational resource for understanding the importance of river commerce in American history.