[Jeffrey Williams]

I just want everybody to know that there is a small effort underway, led by yours truly, to save the Str. Mamie Barrett that is currently beached in Deer Park, Louisiana. This is the latest of many efforts over the years to acquire the vessel. I first looked into this in 2007 but then wasn't able to pursue further for a number of reasons until now. Things have been coming together in the last couple of weeks and there is more to do behind the scenes before a public initiative is launched. I just thought I would do everybody the courtesy of giving you a heads up and also a request for help.

Once I get things firmly in hand in the next few weeks, I'm going to ask for your financial assistance and your help in getting the word out to the larger steamboat community. Without tipping my hand too much, I will say that this project may be feasible at this time and that things are in the works in procuring the ownership (nuff said).

We lost the Str. Becky Thatcher last year, looks like we're losing the MQ and the President - we cannot afford to lose many more otherwise steamboating will just be a thing for the history books. I don't think we want to see that happen.