The Ark: A Historic Voyage from Palatka's Past to Its Future Restoration

Noah J. Tilghman, born in 1888, was the son of a Palatka cypress mill owner. With his skills as a carpenter and shingle-maker, Tilghman built a 58-foot, three-deck wooden flat-bottom boat in 1929 at the Palatka Marina & Boathouse. The vessel, named “The Ark,” was constructed with a cypress-planked hull, a pine keel, and powered by a Detroit diesel engine. It was elegantly furnished with mahogany paneling, brass hardware, and silver chandeliers, reflecting the luxury of its time.

 

The Ark in its prime, circa 1970, as it sailed the St. Johns River.

Tilghman, aware of the excellent largemouth bass fishing on the St. Johns River, attracted notable figures such as Babe Ruth and Clark Gable to the region. Guests aboard the Ark, often northern elites, enjoyed guided fishing trips, dining in style while local African American fishing guides accompanied the boat in their skiffs. The Ark’s cruises became legendary, embodying the charm and natural beauty of Palatka.

The boat sailed the river until the early 1970s when it was sold and renamed La Reena. After being relocated to Lake Harris, it sank in 2003 during a journey to Jacksonville.

 

The Ark’s Resurrection

In 2004, the Lagasse family salvaged the sunken vessel, towing it back to Palatka, where it now sits, awaiting restoration. Since 2016, the Putnam County Historical Society has spearheaded efforts to restore the Ark to its former glory. The goal is not only to preserve its history but to make it seaworthy again, reviving cruises along the St. Johns River and reconnecting Palatka to its rich maritime heritage.

 

Learn More About the Ark’s History and Restoration Efforts at NoahsArkPalatka.org

The Ark today, undergoing restoration at the Palatka Marina.