Quick answer
John Hannes works in the Gateway Clipper's mechanical department; his father was a Clipper captain from the early 1960s until 1981. In November 2023, John's daughter Jess married Darrin aboard the Princess, on the same fleet her grandfather once captained.
In the heart of Pittsburgh, where the three rivers meet and history flows as steadily as the currents, there's a family legacy that spans generations. At the center of this story is John Hannes, a member of our mechanical department whose roots with the Gateway Clipper run deep. His father once stood proudly at the wheel as a Clipper captain in the 1960s. From the wheelhouse to the engine room, the Hannes family has been part of the fabric of our family-operated business. And in November 2023, the fleet witnessed a momentous occasion: the marriage of John's daughter, Jess, aboard the same fleet her grandfather once captained.
We sat down with John to hear the stories behind this riverboat legacy.
How did your family first become involved with the Gateway Clipper?
"My dad started at the Clipper back in the early 60s and worked his way up to being a full-time captain up until his death in 1981. As a kid I would go down whenever he had a short day to ride the boats. I was steering the boats at a very young age (pretty cool for a kid)."
A family timeline on the rivers
- Early 1960s to 1981: John's father serves with the Clipper, working his way up to full-time captain.
- Mid-1980s: During high school, and for a year after, John worked summers at the home of our founder, John E. Connelly, and got to know the Connelly family well. "After high school Mr. Connelly wanted me to come down the boats but I chose a different path. I didn't want to work the scattered hours boat crew worked. When I quit to start another job Mr. Connelly told me I always will have a job with him if I ever wanted or need one." Years later, the family kept that promise.
- 2013 to today: John joins the Clipper's mechanical department "and became the mechanical guy we all know and love today!"
- 2017–2018: John's son, Matt, works aboard for two summers.
- 2021: Jess's boyfriend (now husband), Darrin, spends a summer working with our beverage team.
- November 2023: Jess and Darrin are married aboard the Princess.
Did you always have an interest in the mechanical side of the business?
"Whenever I started taking him broke for quarters for the video games they had back then he would send me with his friend Rege Connelly … who ran the mechanical dept. to go explore the engine rooms. Seeing those big engines was fascinating to me even at that young age. Never thought I'd be working on them years later..LOL."
Your most memorable experiences with the Clipper?
"My favorite memories are pretty easy; my daughters wedding and going down there with my dad as a kid. Lots of memories though…I've been down with my mother and [family] several times when my kids were [young]."
A legacy that keeps sailing
The Hannes story is a testament to the enduring spirit of family. From John's father's captaincy in the 1960s to Jess and Darrin's wedding aboard the same fleet some 60 years later, the Clipper has been a steady witness to the Hannes family's journey on the rivers.
Every season, we invite new and returning passengers to become part of that tradition, whether on a Three Rivers Sightseeing cruise, a wedding aboard the Princess or a celebration of your own. Read more about our history in Our Story, and if you're planning a wedding, see our Weddings page or email info@gatewayclipper.com.
