I've just learned by myself how to use these "trackbacks", which literally are links to other weblogs which helps to find comments to a bog entry made in an other weblog. So e.g. Michael Marleau writes something about an old steamboat from 1880 and I'd like to add my five-cents to that. I can do this either by posting a comment on Michael's blog directly, or I post something in my own blog and put a trackback link in the appropriate box at the bottom of the "new entry" form. As soon as i do this, everyone reading Michael's posting will see that there is a trackback and can click on the link to see my posting related to Michael's blog.

So, where to get this "trackback link"? When you read the original posting, you'll find a link called "Trackbacks" below th posting. Click on this link and you'll find a link called "Trackback specific URI for this entry". Right-click on it and choose "Copy Shortcut". Now you can paste this to the "Additional Links to Trackback" box on your "new entry" form - done.

I'm doing this for demonstration in this posting, too, using the trackback link to Michael's posting about the quarantine in St. Louis.

John Lewis was a popular Purser aboard the DELTA QUEEN in the 1960's, sorting the steamboat mail.
Thanks to Don Sanders for this picture.


The DELTA QUEEN in her Sacramento River era.
Thanks to Judy Patsch for this great picture!


Thanks to R. Dale Flick for the picture.
January 15th marks the 69th anniversary of the 1937 flood disaster. This photo shows, in part, Huntington, West Virginia, dated January 25, 1937.


Thanks to R. Dale Flick for the picture.
Here's a photo of Cincinnati looking across the river from northern Kentucky. We see the swollen Ohio and Licking River. On the Cincinnati side can be seen the big GREENE LINE STEAMERS wharfboat and steamers docked. Up stream can be seen the ISLAND QUEEN moved up from the foot of Broadway for safety. Jim Reising informs me that the GORDON C. GREENE rode the flood out down in Louisville.


The ISLAND QUEEN II as she passes old Coal Haven in Cincinnati's East End between Tennyson and Wilmer Ave.
Thanks to R. Dale Flick for the picture!


The new R.J. ARMSTRONG possibly at her completion in Marietta, OH. A cute little thing she is in the classic design. Way's STEAM TOWBOAT DIRECTORY: '1907-1915. Built Lock 3, Ohio River, Glen Osborne, PA. completed at Marietta, OH. 96.7 X 19 X 3 Ft. by Ohio River Contracting Co. who were building Lock 3. Spent most of her career around locks and dams under construction. In 1914 helped in building Dam 19 along with the LESLIE EICHEL. Sold to USE, Pittsburgh, renamed the CROZET.'
Her pristine appearance here would no doubt soon be shrouded in the soot, dirt and clutter she would encounter on her construction missions. We can only wonder what her 'unromantic' crew thought of her then.
Thanks to R. Dale Flick for the picture!



Gordon C. Greene passenger souvenir, with Tom Greene, Mary Greene, Jesse Hughes, and others' autographs. They either gave these or sold them to the pax. This is from April 1943.
Thanks to Judy Patsch for the picture!


Thanks to R. Dale Flick for the picture.
Te CRICKET. Those knowing more may recognize the shore and the prominent structure with the multitude of chimneys directly above the pilothouse. The large structure to the extreme right 'may' be a wharfboat or shore building at a landing or shipyard. It's winter with the ice in the river. Two other packets appear but I can't enhance enough to read the names. The large sternwheeler to the extreme right 'may' bear the name GREE... Any guesses? Way's Directory lists the CRICKET under Entry No. 1373. Built Parkersburg, W. Va. 1900. 132.6 X 18.3 X 2.9. Engines, 9" - 2 & 1/2 ft. One boiler, 43" X 16 ft. with 10 flues. Owned by Capt. Gordon C. Greene for low water work with open hold and scow bow. Given model bow and decked at Parkersburg in 1902. Ran Big Sandy in springs of 1901-1904 with Capt. Jesse Hughes master. Enlarged as the GREENDALE in 1909. Gordon Greene made no pretenses with her and knew where to make money in the best trades he could find. No doubt she was a welcome sight and provided service creating much excitement in the spring when she appeared on the Big Sandy.

I found this in the newspaper a few days ago: Car manufacturer BMW's engineers are working to implement steam power in future cars. The idea is to use the fuel more effectively, while today about 60% of the energy produced in not being used. This un-used heat shall heat up steam that is used in an additional engine to give the car more power or reduce the amount of fuel needed.