'GENERAL JACKSON' Questions

I never heard that she had a steam boiler, or a whistle or calliope. I think she had a big single chime (E-flat maybe?) air horn and probably still does. I rode on her several years ago at Tall Stacks and there was no evidence of either a boiler or calliope. I've also always thought that her design would be excellent for an overnight cruise boat. She's well proportioned, with a nice sheer. Does anyone know how she is doing from a business standpoint? I rarely hear anything about her. She was built at Jeffboat; maybe Kenny Howe knows something about all these things.

Matt,

The GENERAL JACKSON calliope was the last stock calliope Arthur Davis (at Davis Calliope Works, Seattle, WA.) had. You may remember his name as the manufacturer of the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN calliope. When the boat came out she was to have a steam whistle and steam calliope to look more like the part of an authentic steamboat. She carried a 15 hp steam boiler on the starboard side, stern of the hurricane deck. You could see where it was located if you look on the top of the Texas Roof and see a large square (at the base of a rather fat and out of scale scape) pipe enclosure with louvered vents around it...about 4' square.. The calliope played on her delivery trip from Jeffersonville. I tried many times to get in to the shipyard and meet Mr. Davis while he was installing the calliope. Unfortunatly, I never made it over there, nor did I ever meet him in person.

I remember watching her slide down the ways one afternoon from the rooftop of the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE. She sure was an attractive boat.

Well, back to the calliope.

The powers that be at Opryland (her original owner and now merged with Gaylord Entertainment) never liked the scaling of the calliope, they prefered the DELTA QUEEN calliope as the story goes. The Davis calliope on the GENERAL JACKSON was scaled at a much higher pitch and had 37 notes starting at "F" an octave above middle "C" to the "A" almost 3 octaves above. Somewhere I have a recording of it...really good quality...but, the high pitched nature of the instrument comes thru too well. They rarely, if ever used it after the first season.

In 1994 during the annual inspection, the boiler was condemned. To my knowledge (please, someone correct me if I am wrong here) they have never restored it, nor has the calliope ever played again.

In 1997 I was onboard the GENERAL JACKSON for a dinner/show cruise. I asked several crew about the calliope...most didn't even know she had one! I was refered in the end to an Engineer aboard the boat who told me it never worked and they only left it there because it was "pretty". To this day, it sits on her stern...a straight line manifold, gold plated whistles, no keyboard or player unit is to be found aboard her. Kinda sad sight if you ask me!

The whistle was converted to compressed air-operation and works to this day. However, it is rarely used as she now features a 3-trumpet Kahlenberg just ahead of the Pilothouse on the Texas Roof.

At least she still has the attractive lines she came out with (except for all those awnings..they ruin her look!).

Travis

Once again, Travis, you come through with much-wanted information. Thanks!

GEN.JACKSON recall

Thanks Travis for confirming that I was not hallucinating when I wrote that she once had a steam boiler for the whistle and calliope. I was never on her, nor even very close to her. I did see her at Todds in NOLA from the NATCHEZ during a winter layup, and I saw her from the levee at the last Tall Stacks. That was an interesting situation - the Tuesday before TS started, our NATCHEZ gift shop crew was walking the levee and checking out the various boats. Of course we got a royal welcome on the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE and went aboard a couple of other boats as the time permitted. But when we introduced ourselves at the GEN. JACKSON, we weren't allowed aboard, something about having to get the boat ready for a trip (which was at the same time as our NATCHEZ trip several hours later). She was the only boat where we weren't allowed aboard, sad to say. When the GJ was in NOLA in the winter of 1989, John Hartford was aboard. He noticed the NATCHEZ' stern flag at half mast and found out that Capt. Sam Centanni had died that day. I don't remember if any of the NATCHEZ crew got aboard the GJ during her NOLA stay.

I was on the Jackson this past summer and can confirm the existance of her calliope. They did use the whistle when we left, nothing extravgant, one blow and that was it. It was without a doubt the whistle though as I was up on the roof very close to it and could see the mist of condensed air. Here are some pictures of the two features in question.

Much like Judy's impression, I didn't get the feel they were very steamboaty...just doing a job for the pay. No one on the boat seemed to know anything about the stage or how to land the boat when I tried to talk to them. They had their routine down pat tying her off to the landing barge with the pre tied lines and markers. She has such great lines, its a real shame she doesn't get out of her usual run every now and then and do some exploring.

Judy,

I am not surprised at all..the GENERAL JACKSON staff have always been rather unfriendly or aloof...'specially to river folk! They focus on the meal and show and if you are interested in the boat at all they are shocked and send you from person to person looking for answers you are not likely to find.

As a paying passenger, they were friendly as they had to be to complete their jobs. They pretty much hoarded you to the dinner and show and unless you were a excursion only pax, they did everything they could to keep you captive in the dining room.

I am sure they are merely trying to keep the integrity of their "product" in tact. Too bad that product doesn't include the boat herself!

As much as I liked the boat on my singular excursion on her...you'd be hard pressed to get me to pay to ride her again! Last year I rode the BELLE OF CINCINNATI for the 3rd of July fireworks at Old Coney...now there are river people letting you experience the boat the way it is supposed to be done! Gaylord Entertainment could learn alot from Capt Alan Bernstein, his family, and their top notch operation!

Phillip,

They re-plumbed the calliope since I was last on her. Looks like they have a oval manifold with some sort of double diatonic whistle arrangement. I bet, if it did play, it would be a bear to tune that thing Wonder what all those grey and that singular big black box do? There used to be a keyboard at the aft end of the Texas Deck that looked exactly like the MQ calliope keyboard. I know that has been gone since the boiler was condemned in 1994. If you read the inspection report (USCG CGMIX PSIX Vessel Details Page) dated 14, July 1994, the boiler was condemned at that time....so I suspect the calliope never played past that date.

Tall Stacks comraderie

The '06 Tall Stacks was my only experience with the GEN. JACKSON, but it was certainly a surprise to not be allowed to walk around the boat. From what I had heard about other TS, there was quite the comraderie among boat crews, and that is what I was expecting. As I said, we were welcomed aboard the other boats we had time to visit, and compared notes with their gift shop people as to what we had for special TS souvenirs, etc. During the course of the week, we had several crew members from various boats aboard the NATCHEZ, and even for a cruise, as did the BELLE of LOUISVILLE, and probably some of the other boats. We had a couple from the SPIRIT OF PEORIA (and JBS prior to that), Lee and Kathy Havlik, who came over to visit me between trips, and horror of horrors, they didn't disembark in time and were forced to stay and ride the NATCHEZ trip, hanging out mainly in the Engine Room - a fate worse than death! I think maybe the same accidental trip occurred on the BoL too...
What year did the GEN. JACKSON come out? I've got some pix of her at Jeffboat, but I need a clue where to start digging in my pilefiles....

Judy Patsch;20278 wrote:
What year did the GEN. JACKSON come out? I've got some pix of her at Jeffboat, but I need a clue where to start digging in my pilefiles....

I believe 1985, maybe 86, but pretty sure it was 85. The crew of the General Jackson presented that banjo on the DQ to them in 1986 to honor her 60th anniversary according to the plaque by it. So I'm sticking with 85. That was a good year by the way....

Here are some more pix Franz made. Actually I don´t remember the year but it must be past 2001. Need to look that up at home.

Carmen

We had a good view of the GENERAL JACKSON under construction at Jeffboat from the Howard Steamboat Museum. I attended the launching in April of 1985. It was a festive affair and various members of the Grand Ole Opry, including Minnie Pearl, were part of the ceremonies. In early May, a group which included Capts. C.W. Stoll, Fred Way, river photographer Michelle Kingsley, Ralph DuPae, yours truly and several other steamboat fanatics, were invited to tour the JACKSON, our host being Bob Greene, then president of Jeffboat. We all donned the required hard hats and enjoyed exploring the boat from hull to pilothouse.

When the JACKSON departed on her maiden trip for Nashville in late June it was astounding to see how FAST she was -- making it difficult to chase her downriver and take photos at various points, except McAlpine Lock, where she HAD to stop! I'll dig into my archives for pictures and dates.

I last saw the JACKSON at Tall Stacks in 2003 but have never been aboard for a cruise and really have no desire to do so. Since the passing of Capt. E.A. "Wamp" Poe, I've heard from many that the atmosphere aboard is "less than friendly" and NOT what many of us are long accustomed to aboard the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE, NATCHEZ, JULIA BELLE SWAIN, and DELTA QUEEN boats where "river people" are/were always welcome and the camaraderie and hospitality exemplary. Time brings many changes and, as we all know too well, not necessarily for the better!

For those interested, there is a lot of good footage of and aboard the GENERAL JACKSON in the John Hartford video, Banjoes, Fiddles and Riverboats, filmed in 1991. It includes scenes from the trip to New Orleans for drydocking, as well as Capt. Poe, telling in very humorous fashion, how to run the Vicksburg Bridge.

Keith: We rode the GJ in Nashville back in 2005 (Sept, I think). We got the "herd" treatment too. As Travis sez, they send you from one to another to get answers to your questions...in the end, no answer except, "NO! You can't go into the engine room!" I gotta say, though, that there were some real southern "belles" (trim lines, lotsa sheer and tumblehome but no hog chains) serving drinks on the sun deck. I heard about that...not noticing such things myself. Cap'n Walnut

Phillip Johnson;20279 wrote: I believe 1985, maybe 86, but pretty sure it was 85. The crew of the General Jackson presented that banjo on the DQ to them in 1986 to honor her 60th anniversary according to the plaque by it. So I'm sticking with 85. That was a good year by the way....

You're right, Phillip. The GENERAL JACKSON's first season was 1985. That was the year that he DELTA QUEEN returned to Nashville after an absence of several years. The GJ came down to meet the DQ's arrival in the morning. Later that evening when Betty and Don Wegman, and yours truly taxied out to Opryland for the GJ's dinner cruise, only to find that she was sold out, space was quickly found when we mentioned that we were off of the DQ. The three of us were joined at our table by some Opryland officials, George DeMarrero, his son Keith, whom was the DQ's second mate, and Sarah Duncan from the DQ's office.

When were you born in 1985?

Frank, I was born October 24, 1985.

In response to the comment about the GJ's looks...and the extent of her canvas...her is a picture of her at 2003 Tall Stacks...I hope...din't work earlier. Cap'n Walnut Sigh: no use...still din't work!

Annie and I rode an Sunday afternoon trip in the early Spring 2009. Annie had never set foot on the boat before or had ever been on the Cumberland River. I had been on a night GJ trip once before.

Apparently there was some last minute ticket price changes/accommodation as the printed brochure was considerably different than the ticket office price. There were several different offerings of ride/meal/etc combinations. We found the person at the ticket booth very nice as he was trying to absorb and sort out the recent changes himself.

The day was very nice, a little cool but Sunny. The crowd rather sparce. Purses and camera bags given a quick look-see prior to boarding.

A short time after leaving the dock an announcement came over the speaker system inviting all outside deck passengers to come into the cabin and watch the show. Food was good, service great, scenery spectacular.

Can't remember the name of the Musician, however he could make the fiddle strings sing and beg for mercy!

We did not make any attempt to seek entry to Pilothouse or Engineroom,

Upon departure (we were the last two people to depart I believe) we talked to two crew stationed at the exit ramp, appeared to be semi-officer type, who were not nice, rather rude actually.

I can't remember which Tall Stacks, but I ran into some GJ crew while being ferried to or from the boats. They were mostly the entertainment crew, so they were curious about how many "stages" we had and what kind of shows we put on. When I told them we had one little bandstand for any soul who can brave the heat from our engines they appeared very unimpressed, not realizing, perhaps, the Belle was the entertainment. I did run into one of the GJ's engineers who didn't mind describing her inner workings, as only an engineer can. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he said her paddlewheel had a diesel-electric drive. Anyway, I was impressed at how well a boat that size could handle all the TS traffic.

When the GENERAL came up the Ohio River to Tall Stacks, I had just gotten off watch at 9pm and went down to the floating dock at the Rising Sun city front where I was all alone and the river was as smooth as cake; without a ripple. Soon the JACKSON came tearing around North Landing bend hell-bent for Rag Town. The bow wave was tremendous, but I was determined to see her pass from my vantage place out on the flimsy float. It was a thrilling experience and worth the peril, but when the GRAND VIC blew a salute on her melodious 1878 Crosby 3-chimer, the GENERAL JACKSON ignored the whistle and even, so I was told, refused to answer Cap'n John's radio call welcoming the GJ to that stretch of the river.

Shipyard: here's the GJ (yeah) I'm gonna try again! Cap'n Walnut

Of one mind

While we often disagree on .org, sadly it seems we are in accord in our experiences with the GEN. JACKSON and crew... she is obviously a dinner theater first and foremost, and a boat by chance. I suspect when the Poes and Hartfords were around in her early days, things were much more favorable toward the river and boating end, but now that those river people are gone, so is the 'river' from the GJ. Too bad, she's a grand boat and one of the few survivors today....
Luckily I'm headed south tomorrow to the 'friendliest confines' on the river: the steamer NATCHEZ. Since I'll have this laptop and my digital camera, I'll see if there are any noticeable changes from layup and post them. Otherwise I'll just post some boring sunny pictures of paddlewheels, pilothouses, and calliopes. And hopefully a WHO DAT celebration too...

All that was asked was about the calliope and the boiler, but from the posts here, I have gotten much of the same feeling that Judy has about the GJ. Well, that saves me a trip to Nashville! Yes, she is a nice-looking vessel (and completely powered by a paddlewheel!) but the people make the place, and if they're not hospitable, then it's not worth my time. I remember us deckhands wanting to go over to there during Tall Stacks and being rejected. Funny story actually. A couple people from the GJ gift shop came over to the NATCHEZ and I just so happened to be at the bottom of the stage. They asked if they could have a look around. I asked them if we could go over and look around the GJ. They said no, so I said, "Well, there's your answer!". I know us river folks are supposed to be nice, but if it's not returned... well then. And Judy, I wish I could be down in WHO DAT! Nation with you. It's freezing here in Castine (or as Dad says it, "Just north of the Arctic Circle!")

I can echo what all have said about the GJ and the friendliness, or lack of it, on the part of the officers and crew. After Capt. Poe left there was nothing for me, even though I knew Monty, the guy who had been pilot under Cpat. Poe and assumed the master's position. Very sad. The fact that they charged 8 bucks for a scotch & water (heavy on the water) didn't help, either.

And, as Judy said, the NATCHEZ remains a haven of frindliness. Some friends of mine were going to NOLA back in the fall, and were asking me about things to do. I mentioned the NATCHEZ to these non-boat fans, and they did go ride and upon mentioning my name got the royal treatment. And I haven't been on the NATCHEZ in about 4 years! Just goes to show you the difference.

Maybe some of those out of work DQ Co. employees should get jobs on the GJ and infiltrate it with the appropriate rivery way of doing things.

Cap,

I'd love to....but, if they are trying to keep us out, how do we get in?

Travis