<![CDATA[Message Boards - Steamboats & History]]> http://www.steamboats.org/forum/ steamboats and paddlewheelers, today and in history and all historic aspects of rivers and river traffic en Thu, 17 May 2012 07:44:24 GMT vBulletin 15 http://www.steamboats.org/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Message Boards - Steamboats & History]]> http://www.steamboats.org/forum/ Whatta Week at the Howard Museum! http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4678-whatta-week-howard-museum.html Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:29 GMT As you can well imagine, things are BUSY at the Howard Steamboat Museum as we prepare for our 20th annual spring festival. On Wednesday a large... As you can well imagine, things are BUSY at the Howard Steamboat Museum as we prepare for our 20th annual spring festival. On Wednesday a large volunteer group, comprised largely of staff members from Duke Energy and American Commercial Lines will spend the day manicuring the lawn around the mansion. Many thanks to them for their good work!

Today, Kenny Howe, Jim Reising and I journeyed downriver to Tell City to meet with the children of the late Bert and Mary Fenn. Most of Bert's fabulous steamboat collection was sold at auction in 1994, but Mrs. Fenn, who passed away last year at 93, had retained most of his river books and files, which have now been donated to the Howard Steamboat Museum. We returned to Jeffersonville late this afternoon laden with some 20+ banker's boxes filled with river memorabilia to be cataloged and made available for researchers at a future time. We are very appreciative of this most generous gift!

Stay tuned for announcements of other upcoming events! Meanwhile, don't forget the festival on Saturday and Sunday! We open at 10 AM! Hope to see you there!

"Curator Keith"
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]]> Keith Norrington http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4678-whatta-week-howard-museum.html CASINO ROCK ISLAND http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4677-casino-rock-island.html Mon, 14 May 2012 22:05:05 GMT Last week I was in the Peoria area and was able to get some pictures of the CRI. She appears to be in good shape, only a bit of paint loss to her... Last week I was in the Peoria area and was able to get some pictures of the CRI. She appears to be in good shape, only a bit of paint loss to her stacks. There wasn't anyone in the office to ask any questions, so I don't know if she is for sale or not. She would make a great excursion boat for the right market. She is beautiful inside and out.
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]]> Kevin Brem http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4677-casino-rock-island.html U.S. General Allen-Keith Norrington http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4673-u-s-general-allen-keith-norrington.html Sun, 13 May 2012 01:56:47 GMT Bet you thought I forgot you?. Each time I look at that great huge picture you sent me of the Allen, taken at Minneapolis on June 6th 1937, "Round The Bend", I remember!!. Father worked on the Allen 1922-29, of course I was born in 35 but he had lots of pictures & stories, I remember well. Thanks again Keith, I will be eternally grateful for that picture & so is my family.
Ronald Lietha
Tomahawk, Wisc ]]> Ronald Lietha http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4673-u-s-general-allen-keith-norrington.html <![CDATA[AQ email gushing 'unedited' comments]]> http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4665-aq-email-gushing-unedited-comments.html Sat, 05 May 2012 03:32:18 GMT Maybe the comments were unedited, but so were the pictures! Take a look at the last one of the happy couple with Pittsburgh fading away in the... Maybe the comments were unedited, but so were the pictures! Take a look at the last one of the happy couple with Pittsburgh fading away in the distance. I can almost see my well-used lounge chair there on the starboard stern Sundeck - and I haven't taken 41 trips on the AQ!
Great American Steamboat Company ]]> Judy Patsch http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4665-aq-email-gushing-unedited-comments.html The Indianola and the Joseph Brown Shipyard http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4663-indianola-joseph-brown-shipyard.html Thu, 03 May 2012 20:15:10 GMT I am not sure if this question has been asked before ....but .....was The Joseph Brown Shipyard an independent shipyard or was it a part of The... I am not sure if this question has been asked before ....but .....was The Joseph Brown Shipyard an independent shipyard or was it a part of The Cincinnati Marine Railways or another Cincinnati shipyard??? Thanks in Advance.
Mark Willoughby ]]> Mark Willoughby http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4663-indianola-joseph-brown-shipyard.html What, No Roof Captain! http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4657-what-no-roof-captain.html Wed, 02 May 2012 04:02:56 GMT Word coming over the Rialto is that the AQ does not have a roof captain and that her master stands a 12 hour pilot's watch. This is novel on tourist boats and cruise ships. Of course it will save money, but cruise passengers like attending functions where the master is present. Majestic America Line saved enough money to put themselves in bankruptcy. The memory making Farewell Captain's Dinner with a Captain's Table might have gone by the wayside, and even worse replaced by a buffet. ]]> Frank X. Prudent http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4657-what-no-roof-captain.html <![CDATA["Happenings at the Howard" May 2012]]> http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4653-happenings-howard-may-2012-a.html Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:47:15 GMT Hey Steamboat Friends and Fans!

Here are some UPcoming events which benefit the Howard Steamboat Museum.

If you're going to be in the Louisville area next week for the Great Steamboat Race on May 2nd, Buckhead Mountain Grill, a waterfront restaurant in downtown Jeffersonville, is sponsoring a fund raiser for the Howard Steamboat Museum. With the attached flyer, presented to your server, 20% of the check will be donated to the museum. This is good for both lunch and dinner -- and the restaurant (which recently reopened after a fire some months ago) is open from 11 AM until 10:30 PM.

Also, it's time once again to announce our annual spring festival, a major fund raiser for the museum. The Victorian Chautauqua will take place on May 19-20. We are pleased to have many returning vendors selling quality arts and crafts -- and our music this year will include two concerts by the well known Jamey Aebersold Jazz Ensemble. The River Cities Concert Band will perform as usual and, of course, we'll have the always affable organ grinder Ted Guillaum providing lilting melodies over the museum grounds both days! Always a FUN weekend!

Please join us -- and THANKS for your support of the Howard Steamboat Museum!

"Curator Keith"
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]]> Keith Norrington http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4653-happenings-howard-may-2012-a.html Life is GOOD Along the River! http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4652-life-good-along-river.html Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:39:53 GMT It's a beautiful and sunny Friday here in Jeffersonville. As I was working at my desk in the collections building, the beautiful sound of a steamboat whistle suddenly punctuated the cool morning air. The BELLE was chugging up the Ohio and blew a salute as she passed the museum. Ohhhhh, that glorious sound!

As always, we've had an exciting week here at the museum and I've just had contact by a descendant of Capt. Joseph LaBarge, of Missouri River fame. Also had a call from a gentleman seeking the blueprints for the hull of the Str. MISSISSIPPI, which became the late, great BECKY THATCHER. He is charged with raising the graceful 1926 Howard built hull at Pittsburgh and needed information. I hinted that we'd love to have her capstan for the museum grounds!

Visitors this morning include a nice couple from Sacramento who knew all about the DELTA KING and have been aboard.

Volunteers are busy today with details for our annual spring "Chautauqua", arts and crafts festival, this year on May 19-20.

Plans are moving along for the MQ bell installation and "christening" of our new pilothouse. Dedication is scheduled for Saturday, June 9th, replete with river music provided by Capt. Bill and Becky Ray!

Stay tuned for more "Happenings at the Howard" in upcoming days and weeks!

"Curator Keith" ]]> Keith Norrington http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4652-life-good-along-river.html When Morning Gilded the AMERICAN QUEEN http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4648-when-morning-gilded-american-queen.html Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:31:33 GMT I didn't see many sunrises while a DQ passenger, but over the years of meeting the QUEENS upon their arrival at Oneida St. in Davenport, I've seen quite a few sunrises, or even predawn arrivals. This one was my favorite and still stands out for the beauty of nature and for the silent sliding ballet of rounding to of the AQ, and I was the only witness on shore. It was on October 8, 2003.
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]]> Judy Patsch http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4648-when-morning-gilded-american-queen.html When Morning Gilds the Skies! http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4642-when-morning-gilds-skies.html Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:22:29 GMT It's a beautiful morning here at the Howard Museum and the sun is sparkling on the Ohio like diamonds. On both sides of the river things are "abuzz" with preparations for the annual Thunder Over Louisville Fireworks and Air Show tomorrow. Planes have been zooming and ROARING over the mansion for the past few days as they practice for the air extravaganza! I wonder, what would the Howard's who built this mansion in the 1890's think if they could but see...

To add to this glorious morning, I just had a visit from a generous donor who brought us some unique steamboat souvenirs, including a rusty and very HEAVY door from the boiler room of the wrecked Str. SPRAGUE, a stirrup from her sternwheel, a wooden life float and a cork life jacket, a box of duplicate steamboat magazines (to be sold in the gift shop) and a framed station bill from the Str. AVALON (today's BELLE of LOUISVILLE) signed by Capt. Ernie Wagner.

What a great day --- and it's not even noon!

Happy Steamboating! ]]> Keith Norrington http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4642-when-morning-gilds-skies.html Question... http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4640-question.html Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:13:29 GMT How many boats were named the City of St. Louis? I am gathering there were 2 one from mid to late 1800's and another from 1907'ish that was the Mark Twain that Sam Clemons rode. From what I have found both were sidewheelers with the first one being over 300'.
If anyone could enlighten me I on this. I have only been able to find bits and peices mostly here and almost no photos.
Thanks,
Ed ]]> ed frazier http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4640-question.html Str. MISSISSIPPI QUEEN Bell to Ring Again! http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4637-str-mississippi-queen-bell-ring-again.html Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:50:53 GMT As the song goes, "People on the river are happy to give" --- and THANKS to some very generous river friends, the bell of the Str. MISSISSIPPI QUEEN will soon be arriving at the Howard Steamboat Museum! As these lines are written, the large bell is reposing aboard the Str. AMERICAN QUEEN and will be delivered to Jeffersonville on May 2nd, when the boat arrives for the Great Steamboat Race! How exciting and appropriate to receive an historic steamboat bell by steamboat!

Kenny Howe and I met this morning with a Jeffboat official who will oversee the delivery of the bell, as well as the construction of a stand that will safely display the bell in the museum yard, where it can again be rung by visitors. We chose a place facing the river and directly in front of our new pilothouse replica. It will reside not far from the site where the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN was constructed and where some 1300+ vessels were constructed by the Howard Shipyard during the 107 years it was owned by the Howard family from 1834 until 1941.

As many know, the bell was cast by the Buckeye Bell Foundry at Cincinnati in 1874 for Holy Cross Monastery there. It was a gift to the MQ in 1976 by the people of Cincinnati and is so inscribed on the bell.

We are planning a "christening" and dedication of the pilothouse and bell, probably in June. Details will be forthcoming as they are finalized.

At the Howard Steamboat Museum we are very honored, grateful and privileged to be chosen as the recipient of this wonderful artifact. Many THANKS to ALL who have been working behind the scenes for many months to make this happen!

"Curator Keith"
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]]> Keith Norrington http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4637-str-mississippi-queen-bell-ring-again.html Belle of Louisville last night http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4636-belle-louisville-last-night.html Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:15:48 GMT I thought I would share a picture of the Belle, taken last night a little after 10PM. I was talking with the Capt. on the radio and they swung in... I thought I would share a picture of the Belle, taken last night a little after 10PM. I was talking with the Capt. on the radio and they swung in close to the IN shoreline to get a better look at the MQ sign now sitting on the deck, and to give us a one whistle salute.

My wife Kim took the pic and she called it the "abstract Belle," and I hope you enjoy it.

It was a beautiful evening as the Belle was taking an unusually slow cruise up and back towards town.

The sight of her lite up at night and the long tug of the whistle makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

Also, every time I hear that sound it reminds me of the last trip the DQ was making coming downriver approaching Louisville. The Belle was there to greet the DQ and they met up just below the Louisville water tower. They then proceeded to exchange whistle blows for what seemed like minutes. It was like seeing and listening to close sisters saying goodbye for the last time.

If you have never heard it or experienced the Belle at night, you need to get it on your bucket list now.
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]]> George Burch http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/4636-belle-louisville-last-night.html