A River Relic

By Staff
1 / 4
Crew members of the S.S. Lost Bayou.
Crew members of the S.S. Lost Bayou.
2 / 4
The Clifton engine worked on a logging boat that towed cypress logs to the Mississippi River. It sank in 1938.
The Clifton engine worked on a logging boat that towed cypress logs to the Mississippi River. It sank in 1938.
3 / 4
1910 Clifton Motor Works ad.
1910 Clifton Motor Works ad.
4 / 4
Robert Mayeux. 'What a find.'
Robert Mayeux. 'What a find.'

3728 Cactus Drive Pineville, Louisiana 71360

On a hot ‘with a capital ‘H’ south Mississippi day,
yet another quest for an old iron relic began to unfold, as the
crew, consisting of Charles Sharp Jr. and Sr., and Robert boarded
the SS Lost Bayou for a journey reminiscent of that of a Jacques
Cousteau adventure up the Amazon River, complete with alligators
slithering off the banks. Thus we made our way up this godforsaken
river. We were overwhelmed by the majestic moss-laden cypress trees
and giant 100 year old cottonwoods. They stood there as silent
witnesses to past events along this unique forgotten river.

After many miles up the river, lo and behold! There it sat, in
its watery grave, the object of our search. It was a circa 1910
4-cylinder, about 50 HP, Clifton marine engine, manufactured in
Ohio. After our photo session, and conjugating up thoughts of how
and why it came to rest at this place, we again boarded the SS Lost
Bayou for our return trip, only to glance back knowing that the
echo of its exhaust will be forever silent, but wishing we could
just say ‘Abracadabra’ and it would come back to life. Oh
well, so much for that!

Indeed our trip in search of the ‘River Relic’ has made
indelible memories.

  • Published on Nov 1, 2000
Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-624-9388