LaBelle in Hendry County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Experimental Rotary Steam Engine
Following Morgan’s death, it was stored for years before being sold to Warren who planned to use it to test his rotary steam engines. Warren moved the yacht down the east coast from New York’s World’s Fair Marina after installing this engine. During World War II licensed engineers, required to move steam vessels, were in short supply; so, Warren’s daughter Marjorie was licensed as engineer of certain sized steam yachts, reputedly the first female to receive such a license.
By the early 1950s, it reached its final mooring on a dead-end oxbow created by the 1930s dredging of the Caloosahatchee, the Warrens became “fixtures” in LaBelle, for many following Warren’s death his daughters Marjorie and Dorothy with their nephew David Lived aboard the “Navette”. Eventually, Marjorie lived in a mobile home near the yacht’s sinking remains.
The “Navette” is now submerged in the oxbow that was its final home. Its salvaged engine was displayed at LaBelle Heritage Museum until the museum relocated to a permanent location in the downtown LaBelle. LaBelle gives it better exposure than what is available on the museum grounds.
Visit LaBelle Heritage Museum, one block east and one block south, at 360 North Bridge Street to learn more about the “Navette”, Warren Engine Company and the Warren family.
Erected by City of LaBelle and LaBelle Heritage Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • Waterways & Vessels • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 26° 46.118′ N, 81° 26.305′ W. Marker is in LaBelle, Florida, in Hendry County. Marker is at the intersection of DeSoto Avenue and Main Street, on the right when traveling west on DeSoto Avenue. Located near the LaBelle City Dock and north of the Barron Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 461 N Main St, Labelle FL 33935, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Downtown LaBelle Historic District (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Old Betsy" (approx. ¼ mile away); You Are Not Forgotten (approx. 0.4 miles away); Nicholas J Cutinha (approx. half a mile away); Honor The Dead By Serving The Living (approx. half a mile away); The Price of Freedom (approx. half a mile away); All Gave Some .... Some Gave All (approx. half a mile away); Dedicated to our Veterans (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in LaBelle.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2024. This page has been viewed 70 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 28, 2024, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.