Gateway Clipper recalls 65 years of events on Pittsburgh's Three Rivers
Gateway Clipper Fleet owner and CEO Terry Wirginis recalled secretly transporting pop star Taylor Swift and her troupe on The Countess away from then Heinz Field to another undisclosed location after her concerts in 2011 and 2015.
“She was very nice,” Wirginis said.
He talked about the time an 18-pound male bobcat made its way onto one of the boats and another occasion in 1981 when 2.8 million pounds of cargo — one loose jumbo hopper barge of coal — hit The Spirit of Pittsburgh in the middle of the night. It was about to make its maiden voyage June 7, 1981.
He said 37 barges broke loose from near the Jones & Laughlin Steel plant up river and one hit, causing an allision to the starboard side and putting a huge hole in it.
Wirginis talked about when the rivers were frozen and how boats sat idle during the 2020 pandemic.
“Lots of memories,” said Wirginis, from the top deck of the Three Rivers Queen paddleboat on a sunny Thursday afternoon near Point State Park, Downtown Pittsburgh. “Look at this view. It never gets old.”
No, it doesn’t, which most likely is one reason the company has survived more than six decades. The Gateway Clipper Fleet turns 65 this year. Thursday’s media event included proclamations, a Bellevue’s Lincoln Bakery birthday cake and, of course, a cruise on the river to celebrate the milestone, which began with the first voyage on May 17, 1958, during the city’s 200th-year anniversary.
How it began
The story begins in the late 1950s. John Edward Connelly, Wirginis’ grandfather, was the treasurer of Alcosan when it was getting underway to clean up the city’s three rivers.
Inspecting the rivers by boat sparked an idea, and an uncle of Wirginis’ mentioned creating a sightseeing business to Connelly.
Connelly went to Erie and purchased the first passenger boat with a handshake and a $50 down payment.
It held less than 90 people.
The current fleet includes the Countess, Duchess, Empress, Princess, and the aforementioned Three Rivers Queen. Over the years, there have been 24 boats, which includes tow boats, barges and 19 for pleasure and entertainment vessels alone.
Some were removed from the fleet because they were too small. A few were sold to other fleets Wirginis owned in New York, St. Louis and Mississippi — he had riverboats casinos in Iowa, St. Louis and Mississippi. One of the largest, the Spirit of Pittsburgh, which held 1,000 passengers, was taken to New York.
The Good Ship Lollipop has been rechristened as The Countess, Wirginis said, because kids were becoming more afraid of clowns so the events weren’t as appealing.
“We changed our entertainment format to feature holiday-themed characters such as Santa, Easter Bunny etc., as well as popular characters such as Power Rangers, princesses, and superheroes and dedicated more resources and larger boats to accommodate the increased interest in this kind of family entertainment,” he said.
Most diverse fleet
The Gateway Clipper Fleet is the most diverse passenger fleet in North America, according to Wirginis, of Indiana Township, a third-generation owner. Wirginis recalled a time when the rivers weren’t clean and access to the waterways was limited. He would watch slag from a mill being dumped into the river when he worked on the Empress.
“Pittsburgh is the most beautiful city to see from the rivers of any city,” he said. “I know because I have been to every city (that has passenger boats).”
The company employs 150. The average tenure for management is 29 years. The fourth generation is on board: His daughter Hannah Roth is vice president of sales and the marketing manager; son Christian Wirginis is a vice president who does the hiring.
Christian Wirginis said he thinks about his great-grandfather every day when he walks past his photo in the office.
“When I was young, I didn’t think about it because I grew up in it,” he said as he held his 9-month-old son, Theo. “But now I appreciate it and know it’s really a unique opportunity.”
An asset to the city
The Gateway Clipper Fleet is truly an asset to the city, said Theresa Kail-Smith, Pittsburgh City Council president.
The original location was the Mon Wharf, Downtown. The boats began docking at Station Square on the South Side in 1982. Boats sail year-round.
When asked about the other modes of transportation such as the Cruisin’ Tikis Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Party Pontoons and Freedom Boat Club, Terry Wirginis said they all offer unique experiences. The pandemic was challenging. He laid off employees but they all came back and the past two years have been “some of our best years,” he said.
He was working in the food industry when his grandfather called.
Terry Wirginis came to work with his mother. He purchased the company in 1996.
Celebrity cruises
During Pink’s concert in summer 2023, Terry Wirginis hosted a private charter dinner for her dancers and background singers on The Duchess.
“She and her team were exceptionally kind, gracious and complimentary,” he said.
They hosted the National Hockey League’s top draft picks in 2012. Steelers hall of famer Franco Harris was a frequent passenger and friend of Connelly.
One night Henry Mancini rented The Empress at 1:30 a.m. for himself, his wife, his manager, and his wife to go up enjoy a “Moon River” — from the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” — one of his many famous compositions.
Shuttle service began in 1970 with the opening of Three Rivers Stadium. The Gateway Clipper was on the water when the stadium was imploded in February 2001.
“It was like we were in the middle of a Saharan desert storm,” Terry Wirginis said.
Service continued to Heinz Field, now Acrisure Stadium, and PNC Park. They provide rides for major concerts, including the two with Taylor Swift in June.
“The boat was packed,” said Terry Wirginis. “Everyone was dressed as Taylor Swift. We had boats full of Swifties.”
Book a tour
Sightseeing, Family-Friendly
Oct. 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29
Time: Boards: 6:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.; Sails: 6:30-7:30 p.m. and 8-9 p.m.
Duration: 1 hour
Ages: Ages 1+
Haunted River Cruise
Friday through Sunday through Oct. 29
Time: Boards: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sails: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Duration: 2 hours
Ages: All Ages
Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise and Tour
Nov. 23
Time: Boards: 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.; Sails: Noon-2:30 p.m. and 5-7:30 p.m.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Ages: Ages 1+
Holiday Captain’s Dinner Cruise and Tour
Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 9, and 16
Time: Boards: 5:45 p.m.; Sails: 6:30-9 p.m.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Ages: All Ages
Holiday Sparkle Dinner Cruise and Tour
Season: Winter
Availability: Dec. 1, 8, 15 & 22
Time: Board: 5:45 p.m.; Sails: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Duration: 2 hours
Ages: Ages 1+
Kid-Themed, Holiday
Season: Winter
Time: Boards: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sails: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Duration: 2 hours
Ages: All Ages
Gateway Clipper Fleet is located at 350 West Station Square Drive, South Side (near Station Square)
Details: 412-355-7980 or gatewayclipper.com
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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