This ship log goes back in time, with newest entries at the top. We cover the Save the Delta Queen Campaign, general steamboat news, steamboat ancestry, paddlewheel boats wanted or for sale, and model boats; and anything to do with river or boat history.
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Delta Queen Model
From Virgil Reynolds: a limited edition Delta Queen model.
For more model boats at Steamboats.com, visit the model boat hobby page!
Need Information
On Mar 3, 2012, at 4:12 PM, Jody King wrote:
Hi - I just found some original blueprints by Frederick Aeschbacher, Naval Architect, Brookline, Mass. and was trying to find out more about him. These appear to be very old. Would you possibly have any info on him?
Thanks, Jody King (email)
Editor's note: here is further information from Jody.
Thanks for your help. There are some of these blueprint drawings, 18x31", and on all of them in the bottom right corners it says "Frederick Aeschbacher, Naval Architect, 25 Ft. W.L. Cutter, Construction Plans, Design No.9, Scale (I can't make out the scale numbers)." They appear to be quite old. I have found reference to Frederick Aeschbacher as in articles he wrote for different magazines, and his model ships, but I'm curious to know what exactly these blueprints were for. Was it an actual Naval ship he designed? I know nothing about such things. Thanks! JodyEditor's note: here is more information from John Fryant, an expert in this field.
Hi, Nori,
The boat plans look to me like drawings for a large sailing yacht. It looks to be an old design, as she has a gaff rigged mainsail. In case you're not familiar with that, there is a boom at the upper part of the mast that the top of the sail is attached to. That rig was widely usd on the old-time yachts. I'm no real expert on sailing vessels, but this does definatley look like drawings for someone's large private yacht. I'd guess about 50 feet or so in length.
Hope this is some help.
John
Help Requested
On Feb 27, 2012, at 7:13 PM, A.B. wrote:
name: Aaron Blick
location: Texas
message: I have a painting that is called Natchez Steamboat. It has a crab, catfish, crawfish and turtle on the boat/playing instruments. I am trying to gather some information on this painting. The painter and time it was painted.
Editor's Note: Amazing painting, thanks. If anybody has information, please contact: Email Aaron
February 21, 2012
American Queen Seeks 300 Employees
The Great American Steamboat Company will hold a job fair tomorrow at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis. Employees will work onboard the American Queen Steamboat as it travels from homeport Memphis on the Mississippi River, to New Orleans, St. Louis, and St. Paul; and on the Ohio River to Louisville, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. Categories of employment include: hotel, hospitality, housekeeping, culinary, marine, and technical crew. If you miss the job fair, but still want to find out about working on the boat, go to GreatAmericanSteamboatCompany.com and click on "jobs."
February 20, 2012
History is Cool Again!
James R. Lee, a descendant of the famed Lee Line packet company, got active and built a website dedicated to his steamboat ancestors. LeeLineSteamers.com offers historic photos, documents, and insider information only a family member could gather. James describes his connection to the legendary company:
Captain James Lee Sr. began his career on the Cumberland River in Stewart County Tennessee in the 1850s. Capt. Jim, as his friends called him, was a larger than life man who loved the river, good food and tall tales. He moved to Memphis in the late 1850s to early 1860s and began to operate on the Mississippi. His son James Jr. practiced marine law before running the Lee Line between 1877 and 1894. His other son Samuel Stacker enlisted and rode with Nathan Bedford Forrest when he was sixteen. Stacker became the captain of the steamer James Lee (first) in 1882. Capt. James Lee Jr. had ten children. Over the years, his sons Robert E. Lee, G. Peters Lee, Bayliss Lee, and my grandfather Shelby R Lee were all involved in running the Lee Line or related family businesses until 1926 when the Lee Line went into voluntary liquidation.
Hello,
I found this photo on an old glass negative of a steamboat and wanted to share it with someone who may know something about it. If anyone can give me any information about the boat or the place the picture was taken I would appreciate it. Thank you,
Dean Morgan
Steamboat mystery solved!!!
Dean -
Your little sternwheel ferry was the El Capitan (built St. Louis 1903) operated between Natchez and Vidalia. In the attached publicity photo the ferry was doing duty as a movie boat loading up with cotton bales in MGM's1929 talkie Hallelujah directed by King Vidor with an all black cast. The location in the movie still is apparently the Memphis wharf with the shore of Mud Island in the background.
Your icy winter photo could have been taken at Natchez, Mississippi with Vidalia, Louisiana across the river. I didn't know that the Mississippi freezes up that far south but an entry on the Natchez trace site says the following: "In the winter, because the Parkway spans 444 miles north and south, conditions vary greatly. Expect very mild winters near Natchez with only occasional freezing."
Dave
Steamboats.com Remembers Alan L. Bates
Obituary in the Louisville Courier-Journal*
BATES, ALAN L., 88, of Louisville, passed away on January 1, 2012 at his daughter's home.
He was an Army veteran of World War II and a retired Naval Architect.
Alan was chosen to make renovations of the steamer "Avalon" into the "Belle of Louisville". He served as first mate on the Belle for a number of years and received his masters license. He designed the steamboat "Natchez" and is known as an expert on steamboats throughout the world. Alan was a founder of the Howard Steamboat Museum, a member of the Model Railroad Club, the German American Club, Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen, and a columnist for the "Waterways Journal" in St. Louis, MO.
He is survived by his wife, the former Rita Aschbacher; daughters, Patricia Cooley, Catherine Atcher (Mark), Barbara Koehler (Steve); son, Lawrence Bates; sister, Dorothy C. Cheney; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Cremation was chosen. Highlands Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Donations may be made to the Howard Steamboat Museum, 1101 E. Market, Jeffersonville, IN, 47130. A party in celebration of his life will be held in the future.
A few from the online guestbook:
January 05, 2012
Pat, I remember your father (and mother) very well! Very kind to your friends when we were young. I have followed your father's accomplishments over the years and I know you are very proud of him and will sorely miss him. My family and I send your family our thoughts and prayers.
Jacque Myers,
Louisville, Kentucky
January 06, 2012
Dear Rita and Family
As a younger man, I enjoyed the times my parents visited and socialized with Alan and Rita. Alan always impressed me with his scope of interests and his enthusiastic approach to life. I will never see a steamboat or alpine horn again without thinking of Alan. He was a valued friend to my Dad Frank, and I always enjoyed hearing their laughter as they shared stories, usually with some prank involved. Peace and joyful memories to all of you as you remember a fine Husband, Dad, Grandpa (Opa), Artist and friend.
Rick Knoop,
Louisville, Kentucky
January 05, 2012
Cruise American on the American Queen
In case you haven't noticed, all cruise ships are owned by foreign entities. If you want to support America, take your next cruise on the only American cruise line, the Great American Steamboat Company. Not only will you support an American boat and an American company, but your cruise will take you to America! Further, you can choose from a variety of theme cruises: music, steamboat races, or history cruises. Click here for theme cruise information. Show your love for your country and your country's history! Book your next cruise on the American Queen.
The American Queen is having a sale today!
Book your luxury river voyage Friday, Friday, February 10, 2012
to receive an extra bonus and additional special amenities.
BONUS: $100 onboard credit
Reserve and deposit on the same day to get an additional bonus of $100 onboard credit per stateroom.
Georgetown, PA, Steamboat History
Revisit the steamboating days of 1850-1870 with historian Fran Nash. GeorgetownSteamboats.com is an intense historical site with local stories, steamboat and steamboat captains' biographies. Fran said, "Few people know of the Georgetown steamboat men. I thought I would try to give them a stage." All the stories are centered around Georgetown, PA, mile marker 38.9 from Pittsburgh on the Ohio River.
Rare Delta Queen Photos
Last April, June Antrim of Northwest Georgia, went onboard the Delta Queen with a stash of rare historic photos and asked to speak to a manager. She met with Justin Strickland who said the collection made his hair stand on end. The collection included photos of the Delta Queen under construction in 1926, photos not known to exist. The photographs originally belonged to Jim Burns, who served as chief of construction, a friend of the Antrim family.
Ms. Antrim also donated original brochures, correspondence, and artifacts that belonged to Jim Burns, including a steamer trunk full of old tools.
Strickland said, "The tools were all used on the construction site during the building and most are wood working tools. The last time that tool box was sitting on this floor was probably 1923."
Michael Williams, a former captain of The Delta Queen, said, "There are things here that we thought were missing in the history of the Delta Queen. Items ] that we thought were destroyed in WWII."
Strickland told reporters that the collection will be archived and digitized.
Click here to read original article.
Steamboat Reunion in New Orleans
Set for June 2012
Info. from Tracey Smith
Agenda for the Weekend:
Friday 6/3 - Steamboat Natchez. Here's the link for tickets: http://www.neworleanssteamboat.com/2011/SteamboatersReunion/reserve.htm
Saturday 6/4 - Afternoon Pool Party and Photo Share: Hilton Garden Inn with cash bar.
Saturday 6/4 - 9:30 PM: Tom Hook and the Steamboat Syncopaters (Rick Trolsen, Steve Braun (Trapper) at dos jefes Cigar Bar uptown
Sunday 6/5 - Still being planned.
See y'all soon!
Tracey
Hotel info.:
The hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn at 821 Gravier St., New Orleans French Quarter, 504-324-6000. $104/night. Sharon Hirsch works here and got us the best price around.
Alternative hotel info. from Joe Grannan:
Good Morning Tracey and all Steamboaters,
For anyone on more of a budget, I now work at the Prytania Park Hotel and have the following rates available for anyone interested. I know Clara and Rhondi are partial to this hotel.
Historic Full - 49.00
Hiostoric Queen - 59.00
Contemporary Queen - 69.00
Double Queen - 79.00
There is also the Prytania Oaks across the street, a newer contemporary hotel.
Queen - 89.00
King - 99.00
Happy holidays The holidays are upon us. It can be a stressful time, but if you think about it, it is our traditional end of year party. We take time to think about those who are important to us, write them a note, visit, wish them well, even give a gift. To get into the holiday spirits, this page offers suggestions: saving the Delta Queen, three different 2012 steamboat calendars; fabulous cruise tickets; and Kindle books by the webmaster, Nori Muster. If any of these seem like something your friends would enjoy, continue reading. For the latest steamboat news and pranks, click here.
December 19, 2011
Let's Sew up Deferred Maintenance on the Delta Queen
Everyone who wants to support paint brushes, power tools, and the people who use them to catch up deferred maintenance projects on the Delta Queen, we have a preservation society for you. Contact the Delta Queen Preservation Foundation through the onboard hotel.
Give them a generous check with a list of repairs you wish you could do yourself. Even if you can't spend time in Chattanooga this holiday season, you can feel proud to add your name to the list of souls who love the boat.
December 8, 2011
Book a Paddlewheel Steamboat Cruise on the Mississippi River
Next spring marks the return of the American Queen Steamboat. This is a great opportunity to celebrate, since they have a great line-up of musicians. According to an article in TravelPulse.com*, the entertainment for the American Queen's inaugural season will include Glenn Miller, the Harry James orchestras directed by Fred Radke, The Lovin' Spoonful, B.J. Thomas, Bill Haley's Comets, seven Rat Pack cruises, the Annie Moses Band, the New Orleans Jazz All-Stars, the Juggernaut Jug Band, the Storefront Congregation, and The Platters.
Learn more about the American Queen - click here.
Music adds so much to these cruises. In February 1996, I went on a Dixieland jazz cruise on the Delta Queen. The house band gave a demonstration on the difference between regular jazz and Dixieland, and the players were fun to have along. Pete Fountain joined the cruise one night only to play. The boat pulled over to pick him up, then dropped him off three hours down river, where a car was waiting.
December 8, 2011
American Queen Welcomes Back the Queens' Riverlorians
The Queens' Riverlorians are Back. Mary Charlton, Travis Vasconcelos, and Jerry Hay will serve as on-board riverlorians when the American Queen Steamboat goes back to the rivers in 2012. This is good news, because in 2008 when the American riverboat cruise industry went down, it put all the Delta Queen riverlorians out of work. Our best wishes for these three stars and all the good people who served the Delta Queen and her sisters up to the bitter end.
Belle of Cincinnati 2012 Calendar
