Need Help

*GOLDENROD Decommissioning*
Happy Easter Steamboating collegues:
Greetings Jacob. Good question above RE: 'decommissioning' of the GOLDENROD showboat with others who frequent this site such as Capts. Bill Judd, Bob Reynolds, Don Sanders etc. knowing more. The 'etiquette' for such a ceremony must be followed to the line if and where it applies. I know more about navy vessels, big blue water ships but would think the rules would be general.

First it depends on what status the GOLDENROD had and has to this time with any papers of inspection, operation if any. I have no way to knowing but suspect any papers for any purpose long expired, never renewed whether she be operating on open waters or tied to shore. Decommissioning can apply to a vessel that has been tied to shore, in a slip etc. A number of veteran ships have never been decommissioned such as the Russian period cruiser AURORA docked on the Neva, St. Petersburg, Russia or our own USS CONSTITUTION etc. Even many major blue water vessels such as the retired vessels N/S SAVANNAH, hotel ship QUEEN MARY [With 'passengers' in cabins, dining rooms, convention spaces etc.] must have an officer and registration when permanently docked. There are no exceptions to any perceived 'dear old, wonderful steamboat or ocean ship.'

*Check the GOLDENROD'S current listing/registration or consult your closest U.S. Coast Guard or major U.S. Navy offices with personnel knowing protocol who could guide, inform you. Question: Did the GOLDENROD by habit still fly the stars and stripes even when laid up with no productions or active use aboard? The GOLDENROD, as far as I know, operated only with a boat shoving her and not her own engines. Her registered purpose on the rivers important to her final status not as a towboat, passenger vessel underway. How she was registered years ago by the then U.S. STEAMBOAT INSPECTION SERVICE a question before they were taken over by the U.S. Coast Guard. I don't think possibly those old time 'passenger barges' outfitted for excursions, towed by excrusion steamers or tows had a registration. Certainly the GOLDENROD in her days was periodically inspected same as floating restaurants etc. Remember, check it out, do it right. Again, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

*GOLDENROD Decommissioning Service*
Morning, Steamboating colleauges:
Jacob, I did a little further research, digging, consulting my U.S. Navy manuals here RE: the proposed GOLDENROD showboat decommissioning ceremony. Most to all said ceremonies pertain to naval vessels in active service or recently laid up. USS in short meaning 'United States Service.' Cermonies range for naval and big commercial/passengers ships from keel laying, christening, decommissioning. Apparently the GOLDENROD fits none of these categories and had no power herself.

Likely you are open to formalize your own decommissioning as you see fit within reason. It is regarded as a 'ceremony' and not a 'service.' If the GOLDENROD had a staff/pole with an American Flag or other house banner etc. would enter in. Navy sailors and old salts in general be it salt or fresh water take these matters seriously as a vessel considered having a 'soul' or spirit going back to ancient times in beliefs. If there was/is a flag etc. the person most senior in the effort could simply convene the audience, read a history of the GOLDENROD with a simple lowering of the flag/banner to be added to her many relics for storage or eventual display. Naturally there would be NO salutes or signal gun firings. IF there is no flag/banner, then some item/relic from the boat approriate could be handed over. Make it short, simple, minimun of words and please no hokey music, rag time or Dixieland. Nothing wrong with that music, mind you, but not for a decommissioning. Some music in the past with ships/vessels has been the playing of the bagpipes on christening and decommissioning. This was done with the then MISSISSIPPI QUEEN when christened with a man in kilts with bagpipe playing in 'piping the vessel' marching slowly bow to stern with a single drummer. Great liners [CUNARD LINE] have been decommissioned with bagpipes in this manner. Can be pretty haunting and sad to hear at times. Who else has any additional ideas? Again, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

*'Christening with champagne/Wine etc.*
Steamboating colleagues:
Jacob, a 'shy poster' sent a Private E=Mail here questioning about the tradition of 'Christening' a vessel--of any size. The tradition goes back to earliest of ancient times. The Mediterranean classic cultures--and others--had a kind of 'christening' then using olive oil or wine as a kind of libation to the gods. In time wine, champagne--even apple juice, fruit juices, water from the River Jordan--broken then on the bow. Later even 'eyes' were painted to ward off evil sprits, bad omens. Later the carved figures on bowsprits of women, eagles, men, lions etc. came into vogue. Northern Germanic lands, Scandinavia also mounted an evergreen or like a Christmas tree on the very top or bow with, at times, pine, oak garlanding. When Betty Blake and company had the then MISSISSIPPI QUEEN christened she had to 'correct' then John Warner, Secretary of the Navy, to have the Hon. Lenora Sullivan smash the champange on the MQ capstan on the bow and not have Mrs. Sullivan have to lean over to break the bottle on the hull. "No red blooded riverman would EVER christen a boat on the river other than on the capstan," she urged. Again, a vessel has a 'soul' or 'spirit.' Well, so much for this. Hope I haven't bored people. What do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River