Topic starter
10/09/2011 2:58 am
My husband Jim Tedford and I just got our tickets for what sounds like a fun cruise on the Queen of Seattle later this month. Can hardly wait.
Earlier this year Capt. Jack Russell gave the two of us a private look at his Christine W... was delighted and oh so grateful.
I'm turning into a steamboat nut. I was reading a Civil Ear novel today, Escape from Andersonille, and reported to Jim "The most wonderful thing just happened! They got on a riverboat!"
Nan
10/09/2011 4:21 am
That boat's got one of the old Wilde calliopes, if I'm not mistaken.
10/09/2011 11:42 am
Be sure to visit the Virginia V when you go out there. Its a beautiful all wood steamboat with a triple expainsion steam engine and is docked on the same pier where you will board the Queen of Seattle. Here's their website: Welcome to the Virginia V
10/09/2011 2:22 pm
Jon, that is the ONLY Wilde left in tact in the world as a matter of fact. It was his first instrument and his personal one. In 1988, at the Tall Stacks event, his widow offered it to me, mounted in a circus wagon with a boiler. I could not afford such an appliance and respectfully declined the offer. Hal Wilmunder, of the ELIZABETH LOUISE in Sacramento, CA ended up buying the thing and had it at many festivals and such around the boat and the Railway Museum out there till his death. When his Widow sold the boat to the current owners, she sold them the calliope. It was mounted on the roof, just aft of the pilothouse. I don't know what happened to the trailer/wagon and boiler. The instrument has its original valves (problematic as they are) and all its electronic kit.
Phillip, You are wise to point out the VIRGINIA V, as she is a fascinating vessel in her own right and the most original steamboat in this nation, save for the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE, out there. A "do not miss" for any west coast steamboater!
14/09/2011 3:55 am
On YouTube there is video of someone hoping beyond hope to coax something that somewhat resembles a musical tune out of the calliope on the QUEEN OF SEATTLE. A visit by Dave Morecraft with his tuning wrench would reap numerous benefits for those poor souls whom ride and work on the boat. Those that live nearby might want to take up a collection to pay Dave's way.
14/09/2011 3:01 pm
Thanks for the heads up. I will avoid said boat and its environs until the calliope in question begins to sound somewhat like a musical instrument. Had not planned a trip to Seattle anyway.
Topic starter
20/09/2011 9:11 pm
amazing info, thanks!
Gosh, thanks for all that info on the Queen of Seattle and also the Virginia V. I am going to be crawling all over them!
Nan
Topic starter
20/09/2011 9:22 pm
Thanks re Virginia V
Thanks.. I have a message in to them to see about a private tour.
Nan
Phillip Johnson;27252 wrote: Be sure to visit the Virginia V when you go out there. Its a beautiful all wood steamboat with a triple expainsion steam engine and is docked on the same pier where you will board the Queen of Seattle. Here's their website: Welcome to the Virginia V
21/09/2011 3:01 am
Lexie Palmore;27290 wrote: Thanks for the heads up. I will avoid said boat and its environs until the calliope in question begins to sound somewhat like a musical instrument. Had not planned a trip to Seattle anyway.
Discretion is the better part of valor.
Topic starter
25/09/2011 1:41 am
Photographs of our trip
Photos of our trip on the Queen of Seattle... either use this URL
Nan Hawthornes Fotos | Facebook or just go to my page on Facebook (Nan Hawthorne) and choose "Photos"... the album with be obvious.
The fellow who played the callipe was thrillled to learn about this site and also that the calliope was Wilde's own instrument.
Nan Hawthorne