Topic starter
27/09/2006 11:59 am
The CHATTANOOGA STAR, which had been scheduled to participate in TALL STACKS this year, is now being offered for sale on EBAY, under the heading of PADDLEWHEELER/PASSENGER BOAT. I am very sorry that the Hosemann brothers (Capts. Pete and Mike) have ceased operations with their fine little sidewheeler, as they were doing great things in the realm of educating the general public (and youngsters especially) in all facets of river history. See www.Rivertrek.org for photos and information on the boat plus logs of cruises, etc. Thanks to them for all their good work, well done. And I will always remember, with much gratitude, the kindness of Pete and Mike's late mother, Mary Hosemann, who was so hospitable to my parents and me aboard the old steamer MAMIE S. BARRETT, when the family operated her as a restaurant at Vicksburg in 1988. True river people and happy to give!
27/09/2006 1:16 pm
Here´s the link to the auction:
Carmen
27/09/2006 2:33 pm
When Midwest Buffs met in Paducah in May 05, I met the Hosemans as the CS was there for a long spell for the school tours. We were chatting about the weekend meeting plans and I mentioned that the Friday night plans had to be scrapped. They immediately said, How about a boat ride? So they generously gave us a 3 hour ride up the Tennessee and Ohio for absolutely no fee. We did collect something and probably covered the fuel costs, but what a generous offer from them. And what things we learned during the cruise. It was truly an educational adventure on the river.
27/09/2006 3:56 pm
New NEW ORLEANS?
Here's an opportunity for someone to step up and "save" a boat. Any takers? When was the last 5-year inspection done, I wonder, and wasn't there rumblings of a bankruptcy? It's so hard to make ends meet in the pax boat trade. Paddlewheels and Mark T. are as old hat as the well-worn expression, itself. This beauty of this particular boat, however, is that it would make the perfect replica First Steamboat for the 200th anniversary of the 1811 voyage of the NEW ORLEANS.
27/09/2006 3:57 pm
Yes, the Hosemann's built this fine little sidewheeler almost 25 years ago. I'm sure it must be sad for them to part ways with her now. We always enjoyed having them lay-over at our landing.
27/09/2006 5:06 pm
Sam,
There is information on the Tall Stacks websight that eludes to Capt. Nelson Jones turning the steam barge Anna Marie into a replica of the New Orleans for the 2011 re-enaction of the first New Orleans voyage. But, your certainly right that the "Star" would work nicely as well. I wonder if the organizers of Tall Stacks realize what a great tie in holding the next event in 2011 would be. And wouldn't it be something to get all 6 steamboats on the Inland Rivers there to celebrate, along with the New Orleans replica?
Aaron