ATHENS — The W.P. Snyder Jr. steamboat is the subject of a new documentary produced by WOUB-TV.

“Saving the Snyder” will chronicle the Ohio Historical Society’s yearlong below decks restoration of the nearly 100-year boat at the McGinnis shipyards in South Point.

The documentary will premiere in Marietta on Friday, May 13 and in Ironton on Saturday, May 14.

Originally built by the Carnegie Steel Co. in 1918, the W.P. Snyder Jr. towed coal, iron and steel on the Monongahela River until 1953 and was given to the Ohio Historical Society by Crucible Steel Co. in 1955 for exhibit at the Ohio River Museum in Marietta.

Since 1955, the boat has been docked on the Muskingum River and provides visitors a look at the history of steamboats on the Ohio River. The boat was named a National Historic Landmark in 1989.

“Saving the Snyder” chronicles a 10-month, $1.4 million renovation of the boat’s hull and paddle wheel and includes the history of the boat with footage of the 146-mile journey from Marietta to McGinnis.

The program shows the tedious process of moving the historic vessel, the complications of the restoration and the trip back to Marietta to welcome home celebrations from the community that has adored the W.P. Snyder Jr. for generations.

“Saving the Snyder” will premiere on Friday, May 13 in Marietta at Washington State Community College’s Harvey Graham Auditorium and Saturday, May 14 at Ohio University’s Southern campus in Ironton. Both events begin at 7 p.m. and are open to the public. Tickets for the event are $10 and will be sold at the door. Proceeds will benefit the WOUB Center for Public Media and the Ohio Historical Society’s future renovations of the W.P. Snyder Jr.