Bill, sorry for being so late getting to this post. I just happen to be browsing today and ran across it.
I got the history of the herringbone wheel somewhere. Basically it was an idea of an engineer or captain with the idea of having more thrust forward and less vibration when backing. It didn't help to provide mor pushing thrust, but it helped the hard vibration when backing.
It was put on steamers that ARMCO refitted in the mid-forties. I don't recall how may steamers were fitted with herringbones (about 3 or 4) I know of only two. The Verity is a museum in Keokuk, Iowa. I think the other one was made into a wharf boat.
Because of the expense of building and repaire the idea was scrapped. I have seen a couple of small private paddlers with herringbone wheels.