[Judy Patsch]

Thanks for that Ed. Yes I don't know how the NATCHEZ could be considered abandoned, even in that video, as she is moving through the water, not rotting away aground.... 1977, that was very early in her career. The awnings were put on for the 1985 season and I'm so used to them, it seems strange to see her without. Another change from then to now, and interesting as to why: the white rim on the outer edge of the paddlewheel. That was removed at Buck-Kreihs in 1989. They had removed the wheel and had it up on the dock. They were rolling it, trying to repair that outer ring, and the wheel 'escaped'. They got her in time, but the offending white rim was just pulled off, rather than risk the whole wheel to get it fixed. Another aside to that layup in 1989: the GENERAL JACKSON was across the river at the Todd Shipyard, with John Hartford aboard. He noticed the NATCHEZ' flag at half-staff and called over to find the reason: Capt. Sam Centanni had died.
Tom: good thing you didn't post those '90s dates! I had plenty of evidence agin them! When I was riding the DQ, I could pinpoint the year of most any picture too - I've always noticed details. But no way could I pick out years of the old packets like some of our posters can!