[Keith Norrington]

Recent "pilgrims" to the exposed hull remains of the Str. Cape Girardeau / Gordon C. Greene / River Queen were Jo Ann Schoen and Barb Hameister, who trekked down the cobblestone levee last week from the Delta Queen following their cruise from Little Rock. Pat Traynor would have been part of the safari but had to catch a plane home to Florida. Last evening Jo Ann showed me photographic proof of their visit, with pictures of each standing on what's left of the hull, out for air due to low water conditions on the Upper Mississippi. I think a few "souvenirs" were obtained during the visit, which was especially meaningful to Jo Ann, inasmuch as the Gordon C. Greene often landed at Cedar Farm (1837 plantation house at Laconia, IN -- downriver from Louisville) where her late grandfather, Hood Withers, sold lumber to Capt. Tom Greene for paddlewheel buckets and arms. Hard to believe that next year will mark 40 years since the River Queen sank at the St. Louis waterfront. The old steamboat might be forever lost to the ages but she's certainly not forgotten!