Topic starter
07/06/2010 2:14 am
On my way up to the Cities today from a much-needed weekend back home in Dubuque, I had the opportunity to stop over at French Island in La Crosse. There, sitting at the lower end of Brennan Marine, was the Julia Belle Swain. Contrary to the reports I've heard, she looks in fairly good condition. The paint, while perhaps not fresh, is still glimmering and not peeling at all. The decks look rather clean, and the scape and calliope have been dutifully enclosed with tarps. About the only thing that appeared to need attention were the buckets of her sternwheel; a bit of paint perhaps, but not cracked or otherwise.
Granted, I haven't the experience of most on this board, and I didn't actually get aboard to look around, and I wouldn't know my way around the bilge even if I could have. But from all external appearances, she is doing well and the folks at Brennan Marine are taking care of her.
07/06/2010 4:23 am
at French Island
That is generally good news, especially that she is at French Island. She should be safer there than over on the Black River or wherever she used to lay up.
10/06/2010 6:34 pm
Thank you!
Good to hear. Thank you VERY much for the update. Means a lot to know she's at least tucked in for the night if not up to full steam. Dearly miss her.
16/08/2010 7:00 am
This is extremely sad to read, The Julia Belle Swain was a major thing in my childhood. It seems to me that the JBS would be one the easiest and most cost effective boats to get back into running order. I have worked on the Spririt of Peoria for Mr. Jumer and the current owner Capt. Alex and know that they do a good business in the overnight trips, which the JBS would be perfect for (as it has shown in the past).
I know that the economy has a major play in how people spend these days, and, I don't have the money either, but it would be great to see her running again. I have often thought that the folks at the "Twilight" would make great candidates to purchase her, and run her again. She truley does have a following.
I am fairly new to SB.org, but, I have fond memories of the JBS
17/08/2010 5:51 am
Dear friends,
just to let to you know, in case you're wondering: I had to take down Bob Reynolds' posting about the JBS on request of the JBS's owner for legal reasons. This doesn't mean the posting had any legally relevant aspects but I have to take down a posting (at least temporarily) when someone claims damage to his business to avoid legal action against steamboats.org. So this is only precautionsly and I'm working on finding a way to bring Bob's posting (or other detailled information about the JBS's status) back online.
I'm not happy with the situation at all and I quite franky don't understand how there can be any implication for a non-existant business, but I also can't handle any legal dispute, even if it's only a small risk (and the JBS's owner didn't mention any legal action, just to clarify this ...).
But please: Let's not start a discussion about sense or non-sense of this and let's not discuss the "censorship" issue here (again). (I'm happy to discuss the issue by e-mail, though, in case semeone needs to vent his mind 😉
Thanks for understanding. And I'm working on it.
Franz
17/08/2010 8:43 am
Scope of .org
Just goes to prove to those who may think that .org is dead without their continued participation, that it most certainly isn't. There are far more readers/lurkers out there than one can imagine. Laurie, I'm glad you read this board, it would be great if you would post any future plans you and Bob have for the JBS. Hope all is well with you and that we might see the JBS running again in the near future!
18/08/2010 1:57 pm
Yes, one can look at the extreme right side of the forums page and see many more hits than replies. The one about the MQ is already over 2000 hits.
18/08/2010 2:02 pm
That would be the "Threads in Forum" page. The MQ has 2090 hits and only 30 replies. The MQ does have a following.