American Eagle

American Eagle

I like the name... but they might as well have called it the Queen of the Mississippi 2. It's pretty much the same thing, isn't it? I'm depressed it won't even go on any Mississippi River tributaries.
ML

They could have just used a picture of the queen of the mississippi as a photo of this new american eagle. I'll be happy when the Delta Queen gets back out.

Paddlewheeler nears completion

Queen of the Mississippi/American Eagle

Yeah, just saw that a minute ago... it does look much like the Queen of the Mississippi. I also noticed the image on the American Cruise Line's twitter page is one of 4 Queen of the Mississippi clones, it seems.
Also, on the topic of American Cruise Lines, Jerry Hay, riverlorian on the AMERICAN QUEEN, told me at the Centennial Festival of Riverboats he won the case that kept the term "riverlorian" from being trademarked for just the ACL's use. He told me it was, "a David and Goliath" situation, as the ACL brought out the big guns in terms of lawyers. Good for Mr. Hay.
Anyways, man the ACL is REALLY pressing it against the other riverboating competition. It's not like things weren't all ready difficult for the poor DELTA QUEEN!
Happy Travels,
ML

Trivia Quizz

Here is a trivia quizz for those who may be newer to the discussion board and those that (like me) have a memory that seems to get shorter and shorter every year.
Who was the individual that invented the term "Riverlorian?" A giant Snickers bar to the winner. (Former and current Riverlorians are disqualified) 🙂

*'Riverlorian' * other steamboat terms*
Morning, Ted and Steamboating colleagues:
Good question for the giant SNICKERS bar on the sage term 'Riverlorian.' Not totally certain personally as I went for long periods of time never laying eyes on the DELTA QUEEN. No doubt you, Keith Norrington, Judy Patsch, Jim Reising, Kenny Howe etc. would have greater clarity. I kinda' thought I first heard it in/around the DQ offices back here when Betty Blake was the CEO. The first person on any of the boats I connected the title to was, I 'think,' Toots when she was aboard. That was now a long time ago. Earlier years on the GORDON C. GREENE & DELTA QUEEN chief GL Purser Bob McCann was the offical voice over the PA system from the office saying, "Ladies and gentleman, in a few moments we will...let me call your attentio to..." At times then hostesses Peg Baker and Marty Stouder would make PA announcements etc. Plain and simple and that was it with no formal title.

Another term emerging in the Betty Blake days was 'Steamboatin' appearing in her press folders, press articles, literature, brochures printed here in Cincinnati by Steinhauser Press. No, she didn't coin it. Later it appeared protected with the registered trademark with the little (R) next to it as a protected logo, trademark. At times you all have seen on packages, logos the same little (R) or (C) with "Logo mark pending...copyright pending" as it was not yet formally registered. Violate any mark (R) or (C) and you'll learn fast legally what can happen. 'Steamboatin' appeared often years and years before then usually with the small 's' with 'steamboatin.' Then U.S. President Herbert Hoover, during his celebrated visit dedicating the then new Ohio River locks and dams in 1929, used 'steamboatin' in his formal address of dedication.

Capt. Tom Greene, no slouch of a fine writer himself, used his favorite term 'Steamboatiana' in a letter humourously referencing boat fans to friend Dan Heekin when Tom was considering what whistle to use on his then new DELTA QUEEN. In earlier California days on the Sacramento River, both DELTA KING and DELTA QUEEN were termed by river people there as "ships" since they operated in two water mediums from San Francisco bay up the Sacramento. DELTA KING was then titled the flagship of the California Transportation Co. Otherwise here steamboats were termed just "boats...or the boat" with all knowing what was meant. Early GREENE LINE STEAMERS brochures, ads termed the DELTA QUEEN as "steamer." I always heard Mrs. Letha Greene use the terms "boat" or "steamer." The vast roof of the huge old GREENE LINE wharfboat was always emblazoned with GREENE LINE STEAMERS and not STEAMBOATS. It begs the question as to what is in a name? Plenty. Well, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

*Coda to my previous*
Ted & Seamboating' colleagues:
WAIT! Just as I hit SEND on the above another name for the 'possible' first 'Riverlorian' came to mind. Could it...perhaps...possbily...maybe--have been Terry Severns? [Spelling?]. More than a few on here remember Terry well. Seems he originally hailed from up in Ohio near Cambridge, Ohio. [?] I knew/worked with his sister in the Cincinnati public Schools with her married name being different. Terry later passed away with cancer if I remember correctly. I can see and hear him now. Well, again, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

Dale I believe that you mentioned her name, but didn't give her the credit due. If I heard correctly, it was Karen Malloy whom coined the term "Riverlorian." Obviously it's a portmanteau word combining river lore and historian. And I'm deuced glad that those snakes over on the east coast lost their battle to steal that word.

*RE: 'Karen' or 'Toots' Malloy*
Morning, Frank,
Good point, but I remember Karen on the boat(s) referenced to as 'Toots.' 'Riverlorian' no doubt the enjoining of 'River' and 'historian' as you mention. These legal battles over logos and trade names can get really hot and legal going on for ages. Way back then, I did remember--checked my files here in the 'dusty boxes'--seeing when Betty Blake and company then added the (R) after 'Steamboatin.' Look close on your CUNARD LINE webs and printings and you'll see the same again and again. Cheers!

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

The Winner

My best information is that "Toot's" coined the phrase and created the position for herself on the Delta Queen. She personally told me this on a visit to the boat once. She was particularly disgusted at one point when she changed boats and she was not allowed to use the term any longer. Toots can fill in the details if I have any of this not 100% correct.

Riverlorian

Wow... you guys answered that before I could even read this forum and reply! Anyways, I'm glad that the term Riverlorian is still open for all.
ML

Speaking of names...

For those who weren't around the DQ in 1976: Fred Dodd joined the crew as banjo player and his wife became the Gift Shop Purser, one Karen Dodd. As time went on and Karen moved to bartender, singer, and yes Riverlorian, her name evolved into Toots Malloy. Dan Forman was her chief support in launching her performing career on the DQ and later MQ. Toots took the Riverlorian's position seriously and brought it to heights unimaginable when she created that term. She went up the success ladder on her hard work and merits, and I'm proud to say I 'knew her when'!!!

American Eagle to sail 'Complete Mississippi' - Travel Weekly

Doc Hawley and I were doing the so-called "riverlorian" or "river historian" gig years before as an additional duty aboard the DELTA QUEEN... I'm guessing that after Doc and I left the QUEEN they had to hire someone off the bank to fill our roles.

Shipyard Sam;33868 wrote: Doc Hawley and I were doing the so-called "riverlorian" or "river historian" gig years before as an additional duty aboard the DELTA QUEEN... I'm guessing that after Doc and I left the QUEEN they had to hire someone off the bank to fill our roles.

Before that it was Lord High Purser, Robert H. McCann who would share his knowledge of the river and surroundings with the passengers.

Mark Twain played the DQ calliope

Nix on that Sam. As pilot, maybe even as mate, I and other officers would occasionally inform the passengers of various points of interest. Cruise director Terry and others such as maybe the captain, would give lectures on the longer voyages. The riverlorian thing came after I left. (Oh, my spell checker doesn't recognize that word.) Can't remember his name, probably for the best, but there was an office person who would occasionally come on board during landings and take people on tours of the boat. He let fly with the malarkey, to the amusement of crew members who overheard him and shared what they heard with others. He was of the opinion that the truth wasn't good enough.

Imparting information to pax

Yes, what Lexie described was my experience on the DQ. Some pilots, like Rip Ware, loved to give commentary, and we've previously noted some of his legendary remarks. Some others, like Bill Foley, were very reticent about announcing. Since I was interested in knowing what I was seeing and was out on deck 95% of my waking hours, I appreciated hearing the information. After the summer of 1975, which was my third year as a passenger, I sent a letter to the home office suggesting they hire someone to specifically tell the passengers about the scenery, etc. This could be done via the PA or by walking the decks and answering questions. I also suggested that I would be available in the summer for this position. I got a nice reply, which of course was a NO, and the explanation was they didn't hire summer help. Oh? On board for my summer trips was one David Tschiggfrie, who was Watchman during his summer months off from teaching, and he had been doing that for years. Also a summer crew member, as a porter, was one Bill Muster. So much for that excuse! Now I never made up the term Riverlorian - that was Karen/ Toots' doing, but I had submitted the idea for such a position a couple of years before she did. She could also see the need for it, and was already on board as crew, and look where she took that position!!! ...there's your steamboat trivia for the day!

The one and only legendary Don Deming!

Bob Reynolds;33875 wrote: The one and only legendary Don Deming!

In his and Betty Blake's own minds, if nothing else!

Navigation Dissertation

The fact was we all did river talks. It was very important to the passengers and to the ambiance of the cruise. We called them Navigation Dissertations in my day and used pilots, myself and guest speakers when available. When I left the MQ I wrote Hotel Manager Bob Waring a memo suggesting that he hire a full time person for the job due to its importance and popularity with the passengers. When Bob came aboard for the christening of the AQ he reminded me of my suggestion and how successful the program had become. I still have that memo and will post it when I find it. "It takes a village" or in this case a "nest of river rats".

Before most of you disagreeing were aboard the DELTA QUEEN, Doc, then I, had a regularly-scheduled program to present each day after lunch and when the waiters cleaned up and reset the Orleans Room for our programs. Each day a different related river subject was formally presented... and not just some guest appearance from one of the pilots or whoever. If you need proof, dig up one of the Steamboat Times from back then and look at the daily schedule.

Doc, then I, after he left in April 1970, had a regularly-scheduled program to present each day after lunch when the waiters cleaned up and reset the Orleans Room for our programs. A different related river subject was formally presented... and not just some guest appearance from one of the pilots, an announcement over the PA, or whoever. If anyone needs verification, please dig up one of the Steamboat Times from back then and look at the daily schedule. In addition to my regular duties, much time was spent researching materials to keep the programs interested and varied. But that was probably before most posting on this thread were on the DELTA QUEEN.

Doc, then I, after he left in April 1970, had a regularly-scheduled program to present each day after lunch when the waiters cleaned up and reset the Orleans Room for the programs. A different related river subject was formally presented... and not just some guest appearance from one of the pilots, an announcement over the PA, or whoever. If anyone needs verification, please dig up one of the Steamboat Times from back then and look at the daily schedule. In addition to my regular duties, much time was spent researching materials to keep the programs interested and varied. But, understandably, that was before most, here, were on the DELTA QUEEN.

Doc's 'emergency' slide show

And remember that time the juggler and his girlfriend got tossed off the National Trust charter and Doc had to get slides from the Gift Shop and put together a talk for those history buffs? Yes Don - you, Doc, Miriam and others presented programs and imparted information to the passengers before I (I presume you were directing this at me) rode the DQ. I am well aware of this and the great job you all did. What I was referring to was the situation in 1975, after you all were gone - we did not have anyone other than the pilot who imparted information to us as we passed points of interest. There was a 'black hole' of a few years with this situation. When Jim Blum became Master, he would occasionally join in the announcements, as did Watchman Dave Tschiggfrie (Norma Jean, anyone?). When Jane Curry served as Cruise Director she enlarged the river narrative. But there was a time in there, to which I was referring, when very little was imparted to us. This was also the time when Karen Toots joined the crew and she saw the need for more information to be given, and thus developed the singular position of Riverlorian to such a wonderful extent and success.