Ben Franklin III is deemed irreparable
May 10, 2022 at 9:04 p.m.
The Ben Franklin III canal boat, which ran on the Whitewater Canal for 33 years, was deemed irreparable after its removal from the canal on April 11.
A structural engineer who examined the 75-foot-long boat at the request of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites said based on his observation, the boat has reached the end of its usable life. The boat had a projected lifespan of 25-30 years.
A bulldozer was brought to the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site administrative building parking lot, where the boat was stored on Monday, May 9, to dispose of the boat. The removal was expected to take two days but was completed on Monday.
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is working to find $7.6 million in funding to make the necessary repairs at the site, including funding for a new canal boat estimated to cost $1 million.
Metamora residents and business owners shared it was bittersweet to see the boat go. It was a part of the community for over 30-years but are excited to move forward and focus on a new boat.
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The Ben Franklin III canal boat, which ran on the Whitewater Canal for 33 years, was deemed irreparable after its removal from the canal on April 11.
A structural engineer who examined the 75-foot-long boat at the request of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites said based on his observation, the boat has reached the end of its usable life. The boat had a projected lifespan of 25-30 years.
A bulldozer was brought to the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site administrative building parking lot, where the boat was stored on Monday, May 9, to dispose of the boat. The removal was expected to take two days but was completed on Monday.
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is working to find $7.6 million in funding to make the necessary repairs at the site, including funding for a new canal boat estimated to cost $1 million.
Metamora residents and business owners shared it was bittersweet to see the boat go. It was a part of the community for over 30-years but are excited to move forward and focus on a new boat.