Captain Frederick Way, Jr. began his career as a mud clerk, then became a mate, a master, and finally in 1923, received his pilot’s license. In 1925, Captain Way bought his first packet, and he put his experience hauling people and produce into his first book, The Log of the Betsy Ann (1933). In 1939, Way began the Steamboat Photo Company and gathered the largest collection of steamboat photos then known. Way joined with others to form the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen, laying the foundation for the Ohio River Museum in Marietta.
Among Fred Way’s contributions to river history are The Allegheny as part of The Rivers of America series, the Inland River Record, the S & D Reflector and Way’s Packet Directory. Captain Fred Way made a lasting and important contribution to America’s river life by using his knowledge, energy and perseverance to publicize and preserve the heritage of America’s rivers.