Topic starter
16/07/2012 6:33 pm
I spotted a recent photo of the RIVER QUEEN (fomerly the MARINA JACK II) taken a couple days ago in LaSalle, Ontario (Windsor/Detroit area):
inglorious ending - the River Queen (formerly Marina Jack II) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
I'm not sure how accurate the postings are with the photo, but I hope this is not the end of that boat! I seem to recall that the "Texas" roof is a false facade that covers AC units, so she probably doesn't have a gaping hole in her roof, as reported on Flickr.
16/07/2012 7:24 pm
Hey Steve,
Somewhere I've seen recent pictures of this boat, out of the water like in your link. Someone had done a real nice job finishing the boat as a liveaboard, lots of hardwood paneling, etc. Here's the first link I found through a quick search of her for sale. This seems to be an old listing as the newer one had pictures of her out of the water. I'll see if I can find it again.
100' Steel Paddle Boat Paddel Wheel Commercial in Detroit, MI - Boat Gallery
16/07/2012 7:36 pm
I think this is the newer listing, at least it has more pictures. Nice boat!
1978 Putnam Ship Bldg. Co. Paddle Wheel Dinner Boat - Boats.com
17/07/2012 3:16 pm
This is, in my estimation, the best design William G. Preston ever accomplished in his career! She rivals the LADY LUCK Casino in Natchez in my eye. I remember when she was built and ran in Sarasota, FL back in 1978. It seems that Capt. Lexie Palmore posted a picture of her in the S&D Reflector back in 1979 at her landing in Sarasota. What a beautiful boat she was. Looked like an Upper Ohio pool towboat. She is still quite the looker and I hope someone saves her from the cutters torch, because I seriously doubt anyone will ever put those kind of lines in a boat again...too expensive!
17/07/2012 4:09 pm
All of this reminds me of the towboat Clairton, who gave up her engines for the (then) new Natchez. Last time I saw her she was in Ft. Walton Beach, FL as a dockside restaurant. That was sometime in the 1980s. Anyone know her ultimate fate?
Topic starter
17/07/2012 7:49 pm
I agree! We've often wondered if Bill Preston ever confered with Alan Bates on this design, as it was done very authentically. Preston did his homework for sure!