[Bob Reynolds]

there is a good article on the ADMIRAL in today's St. Louis POST-DISPATCH.

http://www.stltoday.com and http://www.stltoday.com/multimedia

It gives a pretty good rundown of the events leading to the ADMIRAL's decline after her excursion boat career. Ironically, the reputed cost of hull repairs in 1979 ($1.2 million) seems now like pocket change. It is also ironic to me that the ADMIRAL had everything that people demand nowadays in an excursion boat -- air conditioning, a large dance floor, coin operated games for kids, ability to offer extensive food service, etc.

Maybe Annie and/or Jim Blum will chime in and refresh us on the details of the family feud that led to the end of her days as a grand excursion steamer.