[R. Dale Flick]

Steamboating colleagues:
'Today in Steamboat History,' and related mention of the 200th anniversary, 1811-2011 is interesting. Cincinnati's WESTERN SPY wrote of it at the time. Barbara Huffman's re-edition of Frank Y. Grayson's 'THRILLS OF THE HISTORIC OHIO RIVER,' 1999 presents this pivotal event Pgs. 12-14. Oct. 27, 1811 was a "glorious autumn day...softened by the haze of Indian summer. When the NEW ORLEANS was sighted kids ran, dogs barked and citizens rushed to the river to witness the remarkable sight. The boat was compared as a near duplicate of the CLERMONT. She "rounded in midstream" and cast anchor in the channel.

Locals rowed out to view the craft but none allowed aboard as Captain Roosevelt was concerned for the teetery stability of his vessel. Reports to locals were she was "two days out of Pittsburgh."

THRILLS OF THE HISTORIC OHIO RIVER is a must have book. Consult Steve & Barb's address on this web as per their new 2007 calendar for order particulars or the 'Book Section' for sales on the homepage.

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick