Topic starter
07/03/2007 7:44 pm
I happened across a listing on EBAY for Debuke Paddle Boat and was surprised to discover it is the old BELLE CAROL that once operated at Memphis -- and which was discussed here on the board some months ago. Have a look -- she's a sight for sore eyes!!!
07/03/2007 11:48 pm
Thanks, Keith! I had wondered where this boat had gotten off to. She actually seems very little changed from her days in Memphis -- the major exception being that she now has a generator. When the Meanleys had her, she operated on a 32 volt DC system for lights only, no other electrical service, from a bank of batteries charged from an alternator. That was okay for trips of 2 hours or so...ice down the beer and take off! This boat burns almost no fuel. I always thought she would be much nicer with a new model bow. As built, she had a very short scow bow, with not much of a bow deck, the only place passengers could go to be outside. She was always somewhat under-powered for the Lower Miss. at Memphis, especially after the USCE put in more dikes and made that reach so swift. A nice model bow would go a long way toward correcting that. Again, always a nice little boat, and provided the hull is still in good shape, $75K is a good price. Capt. Tom Meanley had the hull built at Dubuque and shipped to Memphis on a railroad flatcar and finished it out himself.
08/03/2007 12:50 am
Keith,
Don't confuse her with the Nashvile/Howard build BELLE CAROL.
Looks like she has had a few bad years from what my little research shows.
http://cgmix.uscg.mil/PSIX/VesselResults.aspx?VesselID=45638
Too bad, she could have been another reason for me to spend a bunch of money!
~Travis~
08/03/2007 1:03 am
Thanks, Travis. When it says "removed from service" by MSD ______, I wonder if that means the CG actually removed it from service (condemned it), or the owner voluntarily let the certificate expire? Anyway, thanks for the link. Not quite as attractive once you know that info......
08/03/2007 3:13 am
Bob,
No it isn't nearly as attractive. She would have been perfect for an idea I have had in my head for too long.
Sounds like she is a money pit now. Too bad! I seem to find those kind of boats way too easy.
~Travis~
Topic starter
08/03/2007 12:18 pm
Travis: Thanks, but no confusion! I first saw this BELLE CAROL at Memphis in June of 1969. My parents, grandparents and I took an afternoon cruise on the MEMPHIS QUEEN II. Capt. Jake Meanley was the pilot and I remember there was quite a "bump" when we returned to the wharf and made "contact" with the wharfboat! The Howard built boat was known as the KANAWHA at that time and had been operating at Vicksburg and later under charter elsewhere.