Amherst in Amherst County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Courage of Frank Padget
Photographed By Forest McDermott, August 3, 2016
1. The Courage of Frank Padget Marker
Inscription.
The Courage of Frank Padget. . Heavy rains early in 1854 left the James River and the treacherous Balcony Falls in full flood. On 21 January the towrope of the canal boat, Clinton, snapped. Washed over the Mountain Dam and through successive falls, its passengers became stranded in the raging waters. Braving the dangerous river, Frank Padget, an enslaved boatman, skillfully led a crew of five rescuers who successfully saved dozens of the stranded passengers. While he was attempting to rescue the last passenger, Padget's craft was broken on the rocks. Unable to fight the rushing current, Padget drowned.
Heavy rains early in 1854 left the James River and the treacherous Balcony Falls in full flood. On 21 January the towrope of the canal boat, Clinton, snapped. Washed over the Mountain Dam and through successive falls, its passengers became stranded in the raging waters. Braving the dangerous river, Frank Padget, an enslaved boatman, skillfully led a crew of five rescuers who successfully saved dozens of the stranded passengers. While he was attempting to rescue the last passenger, Padget's craft was broken on the rocks. Unable to fight the rushing current, Padget drowned.
Erected 2007 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number R-23.)
Location. 37° 35.187′ N, 79° 3.097′ W. Marker is in Amherst, Virginia, in Amherst County. Marker is on South Main Street (U.S. 29) west of Star Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker in the southwest corner of the Amherst County Museum & Historical Society property. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 165 S Main Street, Amherst VA 24521, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2016, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 356 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2016, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
