Looking for a unique and practical
holiday gift, or a great collectible?
Our 2014 Wall Calendar is Here!
Back by popular demand, the 2014 calendar features early photos of sternwheel towboats. The calendar contains 13 large photos printed on heavy card stock, suitable for framing.
Each month features a specific boat along with its history, and a complete calendar page, with holidays marked. The boats featured for 2013 include:
PATTIE T
HOLLAND
MARTHA
JUNE
OTTER
HUSTLER
NELSON C
OWL
JUANITA
MARY ALICE
PHILO
MARJORIE
SANDOW
VERONA
Although we missed 2013, the 2014 calendar marks our 13th year of wall calendar offerings!
Calendar Price: $15.95
Shipping: $4.50 for one (add $1 for each additional calendar).
Please mail check or money order to:
Draftware Inc.
158 Ashland Cove Road
Vevay, IN 47043
Online credit card ordering is available from our web site's giftshop at: hspsi.org [site offline, new site draftware.com/calendar/
Below are images of the calendar's front and back covers:
Time Traveller
October 30, 2013
On Oct 29, 2013, at 6:54 PM, John Fryant wrote:
Hi Nori,
I call the painting "Time Traveller" as it shows the Belle of Louisville and the Idlewild together. I also call it my Twilight Zone painting, as this could never happen in real life. It is 24 x 36" less the frame and I painted it in honor of the Belle's upcoming 100th anniversary. The head of the present day Belle is on the right and one of the crew is pointing at the Idlewild steaming out of the past. It is a very hard painting to get a good photo of due to the contrast between the light and dark portions. This is the best I can do with the camera I have. I eventually want to sell it and would like to see it end up in the Louisville area. It has been shown at the Howard Museum and to some of the Belle's management, but no takers yet. In the meantime I thought Steamboats.com viewers might enjoy seeing it.
- John
Editor's note: Thank you for sharing this amazing painting, John! Contact John or see John's model boat exhibit at this site, click here.
Cincinnati History
October 30, 2013
On Oct 29, 2013, at 5:05 AM, Craig Stichtenoth wrote:
Hi Nori,
I am involved with a Facebook group called "You know you're from Cincinnati if . . ." Recently, someone posted a photo with the question of what was the vintage of the photo. I added my own comment to the many that were offered, but rather than tell you what I said, I thought I would send you a copy of the photo and invite you to respond.
- Craig
Editor's Note: Craig guessed the year must be pre-1951 because the Gordon C. Greene is tied up to the old Greene Line wharf boat. I would have guessed the same. I asked Craig if anyone else picked it up, and he replied:
On Oct 29, 2013, at 8:32 AM, Cstichtenoth wrote:
One man recognized it but called it General Greene. Most were focused on the cars and were guessing 50's or early 60s. I think some were thinking it was the Delta Queen in the photo although nobody suggested it specifically.
Editor's Note: Craig's late father was a graphic artist who did a lot of work for the Delta Queen.
Visit the Warren Stichtenoth art exhibit at this site, click here. Our thanks to the owner of this photo, Diane Hagler, who gave permission to post it at this site. The photo has been in her family for many years.
Ship for Sale
October 30, 2013
On Oct 24, 2013, at 1:01 AM, Walter van den Broek (Faim & Co; ss Succes ao 1897) wrote:
Dear Nori,
After the restoration and resurrection of the Steamship Success anno 1897, I kept it in service as a partyship for more than 16 years with great pleasure! However, in the absence of a successor for the preservation of this "sailing heritage" and because of my intention to move abroad, I decided to end this hobby and start the search for a buyer to give this unique object a new future. The "Succes" offers excellent opportunities as a passenger dayship (party ship/partyboat), but also as a (docked) restaurant or club facility, luxury yacht or houseboat.
Because I don't want to have a big "for sale" sign on the bow, I want to try reaching potential buyers (or a good sales agent) through my personal network.
You may be able to help me with your tips or by bringing this Successful sale to the attention of your friends and/or business associates (by i.e. mail or website). Of course, a successful tip will be rewarded.
This link goes to a private page on our website where you will find the sales brochure (in Dutch and English). If you follow the link you will be asked to register yourself with a username and password after which you will have access to the sales information.
To avoid misunderstandings: the "Success" remains sailing as long as I own the vessel!
I hope you want to help me a step further and responds to this message/request.
Many thanks in advance!
Kind regards,
Walter E. van den Broek
Office: Bomenweg 28 - 8316 PJ Marknesse, The Netherlands
Visiting adress ss Succes: Sluis (at nr. 3) - 1357 NZ Almere-Haven
Tel: dial Holland+ (0)527 610600 or (0)653 263287 - waltervandenbroek[at]partyschipsucces.nl
http://www.partyschipsucces.nl (get a username-password to login and get information).
Editor's note: We are more than happy to help. Let's get the word out in the steamship community about this amazing boat!
Delta Queen Stamps
October 30, 2013
This item is from Mary Charlton, posted on Facebook, and reposted here as breaking news!
Mary Charlton said:
Steamboaters: interested in making cards, or doing other crafts, with rubber stamps of your favorite boats? We now have the original quality wooden stamps like I bought a few years ago on the Upper Miss! They will be available in two places: the AQ gift shop (as soon as I get them there, November 2) and Stamping Buddies Craft Room and Supplies. This includes the pithy sayings that went with the stamps about how steamboating is the best! I've been doing a card class on the AQ, and it has been very popular, producing very professional-looking cards in no time. Pam Koch owns the store, and can be reached at 513-891-2738. The store is at 4343 E. Galbraith Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45236, and the above name is also a Facebook page. Pam is very helpful with newbies (like me!), and will be happy to show you easy ways to use your stamp, or let you in on the classes she has. Thanks to Claudette Waggoner, the wife of our CEO, John Waggoner, who has supported this project by getting the stamps for the boat, and my boss, Tony Nevitt, for allowing me to do the class on the boat!
Need Ancestry Research Help
On Oct 20, 2013, at 9:24 AM, Marji wrote:
Hi! My g-grandma was Martha Minerva Kennett and her father William Lewis Kennett (1879-1930) worked on boats as did his ancestors. He ran a tug boat on Lake Erie, living in Cleveland in the beginning of the 1900s, and prior worked on steamboats in Allegheny Co. PA/Pittsburgh area and prior, in Gallipolis, Ohio. His wife Alma Dressler, who with her sister Helen, worked in vaudeville and perhaps worked on the show boats like the New Era Floating Palace, I am looking for crew lists and am new to this type of research. Martha told my other g-grandma that her father was a ship's captain and that was "pretty good for an Indian."
His father, Sparrell Kennett (1856-1910) also worked on steamboats, as did W. L.'s brother Dot Kennett, who was a famous steamboat chef and chef. His other brothers probably also worked on them from time to time. Sparrell was married to Belle Furgerson/Ferguson of Pt. Pleasant and her family, her brothers Harper and others worked on steamboats.
Sparrell's father William Kennett (1839-1880) of Franklin Co. Virginia also worked on riverboats and steamboats--he was married to Martha Canady of Patrick Co. Virginia Cannadays.
It does not seem this branch of Kennetts is related to the Luther Kennett branch, who went to Missouri and Kentucky and started a steamboat packet line and railroad and went into government. This line goes back to the 1600s with Martyn Kynnett a shipmate.
I am very interested in steamboat culture, which seemed to embody American diversity and a colorful, and sometimes sad part of American history. If anyone comes across any info concerning Kennetts/Kinnetts, Cannadys/Cannadays, Ferguson/Furgusons or Dresslers on boats. Also, interested in info about Native Americans role in riverboat culture or contact with the boats. Any referrals or help to materials would be greatly appreciated. I am new to this.
Editor's note: If you want to help, contact Marji by email: alpha_mare[at]yahoo.com.
Floating Palace Billboard
October 17, 2013
We recently received this image from Robert, who would like more information. It is an advertisement a showboat, etched on a wooden plaque.
If you can provide any background on this item, please write to Robert at seitinc[at]yahoo.com Thanks! - editor
Travel to Mississippi and Louisiana
October 15, 2013
Before setting off for a tour of the Gulf Coast, I will review How to Speak Southern, by Steve Mitchell (Author) and Sam C. Rawls (Illustrator). The back cover assures us, "This book is dedicated to all Yankees in the hope that it will teach them how to talk right." With How to Speak Southern in hand, I am optimistic that my travel to the Gulf Coast will be fun and educational.
The book came back to mind because my taiji teacher began quoting from it in class one night. I said, "Hey! I have that book, I got it in Nashville!" Then I brought it to class later so we could all read entries and laugh. I was happy to see it is still in print. If you have not read it lately, click the title above to see your buying options through Amazon.com.
Steamboat for Sale
October 13, 2013
Custom built 120 Steam Powered Paddle Wheel, King County, WA Eight staterooms, real steam power, built in 1984, asking $895,000. Click here to see the ad at yachtworld.com.
October 4, 2013
Delta Queen May Now Get Needed Work Done
For about half of the new century so far, the beloved Delta Queen has been building up a list of deferred maintenance. She needs one of everything: roofs, paint, mechanical, the works. Now, with funds from the American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation may offer the Delta Queen a lifeline (see article - click here). Congress is also defending her, and soon she will be allowed to go back into the cruise industry.
The last five years have been difficult, because the Delta Queen was left like an orphan at the waterfront in Chattanooga to make it on her own as a hotel. It all happened in the middle of a messy bankruptcy. At first the towns people welcomed her, but with difficult parking, and no public transportation, few could visit on a regular basis. Fans of the boat were heartbroken to see her in that condition, so hotel rooms sat empty. Everyone wants to go for a cruise, so her future could be bright if the right things fall into place.
At this time, the Delta Queen is yet another eighty-something who finds herself having to work to survive during these lean times. However, she is anxious to go back to work. When she gets back on the river, she will be swimming in it, as they say, and have the money to address all her maintenance issues. During her final years of service, her angels and fans will have time to make a plan for her final retirement with dignity.
However, given regular maintenance and improvements, the Delta Queen could cruise for another hundred years. Machines and buildings have the potential to last a lot longer than people. In dog years, an eight-seven year old machine is yet a teenager. You replace this part, you replace that part, and as long as you preserve the integrity of the structure, you have the same old ax.
Buildings have even longer dog years. We still have ancient temples in India, pyramids in Egypt, castles in Germany, and thousand year old churches in the British Isles. One good example of a building that came back from the brink is the West Baden Springs Hotel. Originally built in 1902, the place was rubble after a long decline. Then in 1996, a family came along and sunk eleven years and $500,000 (yes, a half-billion dollars) into its restoration. It re-opened in 2007. When I visited last year, it looked perfect. You would never guess it was almost lost. (See photos of the West Baden Springs hotel, click here.)
New Photos at Steamboats.com
October 1, 2013
The Dave Thomson wing of the Steamboats.com Online Museum now has more than forty new steamboat images. They include illustrations, movie stills, pilot houses, and other photographs, see:
September additions
October additions
Delta Queen Calendars
John Weise reports: the 2014 calendar is back from the printer & ready for shipping!
The calendar features 13 more of John's photos taken from 1998 to 2008 on the Cumberland, Illinois, Ohio & Tombigbee Rivers.
The price will remain at $15 per Calendar plus $2 for shipping (If required to be Mailed)
For more than one calendar the shipping will be $1.50 per calendar.
Get your orders into John Weise by e-mail, phone (513) 385-2381, or snail mail at:
John Weise
5552 Dry Ridge Road
Cincinnati, OH 45252
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