[R. Dale Flick]

Steamboating colleagues:
Tuesday, Oct. 3rd issue of the CINCINNATI POST headlines Str. NATCHEZ. POST staff writer Peggy Kreimer and photographer Bruce Crippen focus their attention with slick writing and color, B/W photos and extensive interview of Louisville born Capt. Steve Nicoulin. Interesting comments with insights on KATRINA which brought this classic boat to Cincinnati. The boat's history and mention of her designer Alan Bates well done with the NATCHEZ heralded as "the eye popper of this year's event." Capt. Nicoulin is quick on his feet in an interview and adds, "...we're going to give people a ride they won't forget. We're going to introduce some people to New Orleans." He adds, "This is our first Tall Stacks and we don't expect to be back." [*Recovery of New Orleans tourism and convention business.]

The NATCHEZ is compared to the famed steamers VIRGINIA and HUDSON as per the incredible lines in Alan's design. The crew had to cut 12 feet off the boat's stacks, which tower 75 feet above the water line. The POST includes trip information, ticket prices and the 'races' with the DELTA QUEEN and BELLE OF LOUISVILLE. Nicoulin is shy about predicting a winner: "We didn't come this far to loose," he said. *You may access the full POST article at: www.cincypost.com

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick