Timeline
1898: Charles M. Binkley comes to Alaska during the Gold Rush, builds boats on the Yukon river.
1940: Jim Binkley goes to work as a deckhand on the Idler, a 62-foot sternwheel riverboat.
1942-1945: Jim Binkley is employed by the Army running freighting riverboats on Alaska's rivers.
1950: Jim Binkley starts a tour business on the Chena and Tanana rivers using the Godspeed, a converted missionary boat.
1955: Jim Binkley builds the Discovery I in his Fairbanks backyard; Discovery Igoes into immediate passenger service.
1956-1960: The Discovery I is renovated during the winter months to accommodate more passengers.
1971: The Discovery II is built on the hull of the freighter Yutana. Discovery II takes over as the Riverboat Discovery's primary tour vessel.
1986-1987: The Discovery III is built in Whidbey Island, Washington. Discovery III goes into passenger service on July 4, 1987, taking over from Discovery II as the company's primary tour vessel.
2000: The Discovery II resumes passenger service after being mothballed for approximately 10 years for renovations.
2004: The Discovery I resumes light-duty operation as a vessel for special tours and charters.
Read more about this topic: Riverboat Discovery