Topic starter
28/09/2009 11:39 am
"Too bad the man couldn't stick with the steamboats--what a career he could have had! He could be cruising the same stretch of harbor, one hour out, an hour back, doing exciting commentary of the history of either one of two great cities, either Louisville or NOLA."
This was part of Mary Sward Charlton's posting in another thread. She was being facetious in the rest of the posting, and I HOPE this belittling statement about the NATCHEZ and the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE and their officers was also meant to be facetious. The steamboating community is quite lucky to still have 2 steamboats still operating, whether they cruise the same stretch of harbor or traverse the entire river system, they are proudly continuing the almost destroyed steamboating tradition.
28/09/2009 6:39 pm
I do not think there was any intent to belittle either crew or boats. They are currently the only ones still holding any part of steamboatn' together.
The "belittlement" would be towards those who allowed the present situation to happen where they are the only boats running. Thank God that there are still a few examples I can show my kids the kind of boat Daddy use to work on.
Needless to say, the oppertunities available to Steamboat crews are very limited, at best. Their are many who would rather be Steamboatn' than working whatever boat job is available. It's currently a very tight market. Many of those who had Steamboat specifice jobs have no way to return to the marine industry and I sense a good deal of anger about this with many I am in touch with.
I have known Ted for 30+ years and wrote my post very tounge-in-cheek. He knew it, Mary knew it, anyone who knows Ted and myself knew it and I hope got a laugh out of it.
I did notice that your name was not amoung those sending birthday wishes. Oversight, I'm sure.
28/09/2009 10:19 pm
Dear Judy, Later this week, I'll be in NOLA. Here is my schedule, in case you are interested: take Captain Clarke C. Hawley out for a meal. Ride the Natchez. Check on the condition of the MQ, since friends of mine are guarding her. Go out on a ship with a NOBRA pilot. Drive down to Venice, since I've never been down the Mississippi that far. Visit with some steamboating friends in NOLA. Visit with some steamboating friends in Hattiesburg. In my spare time, work on my steamboating and rivers research and writing. Re-read Rising Tide; read a new book on Tecumseh I just ordered; and re-read a biography of James Eads.
Apology accepted. Mary
Topic starter
28/09/2009 10:58 pm
No apology was offered, Mary. As I said in my original posting, I hoped that the belittling statement was as facetious as the rest of your posting. Apparently it was, good.