Terry Warginis, owner and CEO of Gateway Clipper Fleet, named pop star Taylor Swift and her troupe The Countess after their 2011 and 2015 concerts at the then-Heinz・I remember being secretly transported from the field to another undisclosed location.
“She was very kind,” Ms. Warginis said.
He remembers the time an 18-pound male bobcat boarded one of his boats, and the time in 1981 when 2.8 million pounds of cargo (one spacious jumbo hopper barge loaded with coal) landed in the middle of Pittsburgh. He talked about one time he crashed into the Spirit of Pittsburgh. night. On June 7, 1981, she was about to make her maiden voyage.
He said 37 barges were traveling up the river near the Jones & Laughlin Steel plant and one of the barges collided, hitting its starboard side and leaving a large hole.
Wilginis talked about when the river froze over and how boats were anchored during the 2020 pandemic.
“I have a lot of memories,” Warginis said from the top deck of the Three Rivers Queen paddle steamer near Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh on a sunny Thursday afternoon. “Look at this view. It never gets old.”
No, it’s not. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons the company has survived over his 60 years. The Gateway Clipper Fleet celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. Thursday’s media event included a proclamation, a birthday cake from Bellevue’s Lincoln Bakery, and, of course, a river cruise to celebrate the milestone, which began with the city’s first voyage on May 17, 1958, marking the 200th anniversary of the city’s cessation.
How it all started
The story begins in the late 1950s. Wilginis’ grandfather, John Edward Connelly, was Alcosan’s treasurer when Alcosan was undertaking the cleanup of his three rivers in the city.
A tour of the river by boat sparked an idea, and Waginis’ uncle told Connelly about starting a tourism business.
Connelly went to Erie and bought his first passenger ship with a handshake and a down payment of $50.
The capacity was less than 90 people.
The current fleet includes Countess, Duchess, Empress, Princess, and the aforementioned Queen of the Three Rivers. Over the years, she had 24 boats, including towboats, barges, and just 19 pleasure and entertainment vessels.
Some were removed from the fleet because they were too small. Some were sold to other fleets Wilgini owned in New York, St. Louis, and Mississippi. He operated riverboat casinos in Iowa, St. Louis, and Mississippi. One of his largest ships, the Spirit of Pittsburgh, carried 1,000 passengers and was brought to New York.
Wilginis said Good Ship Lollipop was renamed The Countess after children became afraid of clowns and the event became less appealing.
“We have changed our entertainment format to feature popular characters such as Power Rangers, princesses, and superheroes, as well as holiday-themed characters such as Santa and the Easter Bunny, and are excited to support this growing interest in this type of business. “We’ve put more resources and a bigger boat in place to accommodate the. It’s family entertainment,” he said.
the most diverse fleet
The Gateway Clipper Fleet is the most diverse passenger fleet in North America, said Wilginis, a third-generation owner who lives in Indiana Township. Wilginis recalled a time when the river wasn’t clean and access to the waterway was restricted. When he was working for the Empress, he used to watch the slag from the factory being dumped into the river.
“Pittsburgh is the most beautiful city to see from the river of any city,” he said. “I know because I’ve been to every city (with a passenger ship).”
The company has 150 employees. His average tenure in a managerial position is 29 years. A fourth generation member, his daughter Hannah Ross serves as vice president of sales and marketing manager. His son Christian Wilginis is vice president in charge of employment.
Christian Warginis said he thinks of his great-grandfather every day when he passes his photo in his office.
“I didn’t think about that when I was little, because I grew up in that environment,” he said, holding his 9-month-old son Theo. “But now I’m grateful and I know it’s a truly unique opportunity.”
city property
Pittsburgh City Council President Teresa Kyle Smith said the Gateway Clipper Fleet is truly an asset to the city.
The original location was downtown at Mont Pier. The boat began docking at Station Square on the south side in 1982. Boats operate all year round.
When asked about other transportation options such as Cruisin’ Tikis Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Party Pontoon, and Freedom Boat Club, Terry Warginis said each transportation option offers a unique experience. The pandemic has been difficult. He said he had furloughed employees, but everyone has returned, and that the past two years have been “some of our best years.”
He was working in the food industry when his grandfather called.
Terry Warginis came to work with his mother. He bought it in his 1996.
celebrity cruise
During Pink’s recent Summer 2023 concert, Terry Warginis hosted a private charter dinner for the dancers and background singers of “The Duchess.”
“She and her team were very kind, courteous and complimentary,” he said.
The late Steelers Hall of Famer Franco Harris was a frequent passenger and friend of Connelly’s.
One night, Henry Mancini rented the Empress at 1:30 a.m. and he, his wife, his manager, and his wife were singing “Moon River” from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, one of his many famous songs. ” I enjoyed it.
Shuttle service began in 1970 with the opening of Three Rivers Stadium. The Gateway Clipper was on the water when the stadium was blown up in February 2001.
“It was like being in the middle of a Sahara desert storm,” Terry Warginis said.
Service continued to Heinz Field, now Acresure Stadium, and PNC Park. They provide rides to major concerts, including two shows with Taylor Swift in June.
“The boat was full,” Terry Warginis said. “Everyone was dressed like Taylor Swift. The boat was full of Swifties.”
Joanne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. JoAnne can be reached via email at jharrop@triblive.com or on his Twitter. .