[Keith Norrington]

In my photo files I found these images of the MISSISSIPPI alongside the RIVER QUEEN (ex-GORDON C. GREENE / CAPE GIRARDEAU) opposite Hannibal, Missouri on June 20, 1964. Several weeks later, on July 17th, the RIVER QUEEN was towed to St. Louis and the MISSISSIPPI took up residence in her place, offering tours from engine room to pilothouse, a steamboat museum on the Texas, and a gift shop on the main deck. The MISSISSIPPI remained here until March of 1966, when she returned to St. Louis to become the BECKY THATCHER. The third picture of the MISSISSIPPI was taken in 1965.

These pictures are good comparisons as to the size of the two boats. The RIVER QUEEN (built at Howard's in 1923 for the Eagle Packet Company as the CAPE GIRARDEAU) had a hull measuring 210' x 38' x 6.5. In the spring of 1936 (she was sold to Greene Line in 1935 and renamed GORDON C. GREENE) a second Texas was added and the pilothouse raised 28". In November, 1937 further alterations were made and the pilothouse was raised 2 feet. The MISSISSIPPI measured 185' x 38' x 7.2, her hull also constructed at Howard's and taken to the Ayer and Lord Marine Ways at Paducah in 1926, where the upper works from the second MISSISSIPPI were "scooted" over onto it -- a daring operation, but very successful and the only casualty was one broken pane of glass in a door!