Topic starter
07/04/2008 1:32 pm
Greetings From New Orleans ,
On the 18th. of April , the Str.'s Natchez and Delta Queen will engage one another in a traditional steamboat race here in the New Orleans harbor . From what I hearing from the Coast Guard the race will be a relative short one from river mile 90 LMR ahp to river mile 95 LMR ahp . This stretch of river is in the general vicinity of the New Orleans , General Anchorage and is in a fairly straight stretch of river . What will also make this race interesting is the fact that the river is expected to crest in New Orleans , at about 17 feet on the 16th. of this month and its anyones guess what kind of speed either boat will be able to make . I remember Capt. Harry Louden making some rather colorful and dispariging remarks , as only he could , one time about steamboat races in general and had something to do with a steamboat race being as exciting as watching a race between a pair of unenthused turtles . Its still unknown if the Coast Guard will close the river in this area and create what they refer to as a " Safety Zone " , so as to elimenate other vessels and traffic in general from navigating in this area during the race . Also , its my understanding that the purpose of the race is part of a fund raising project for the famous New Orleans , St. Louis Catherdral located in the heart of the French Quarter . To the best of my recollection the Str. Delta Queen has never , ever even come close to honestly beating the Str. Natchez in a " fair " race but as I am also sure many of you are also aware that the term " fairness " is seldom used or even thought of in steamboat races ! May the best boat win !!
Smoothe sailing !
Ted Davisson
07/04/2008 5:24 pm
Ted,
The one and (so far) only season the AQ raced the MQ in the Steamboat Scramble, we (the AQ) also raced the Natchez earlier in the year and got SMOKED.
Paul
07/04/2008 7:44 pm
More info: the race is officially called "Smokestacks & Steeples Steamboat Race", the race is from Jackson Square to Robin Street and back. $35 per adult to ride the Natchez, with munchies and open bar(!). Profits are being donated to help restore St Louis Cathedral. Festivities start at 3pm. Reservations for the Natchez recommended at 800-233-2628, 504-569-1414 or at www.SteamboatNatchez.com. I sure would like to ride one of them that day...Huge thanks to Judy for the info.
Nice shot of the DQ at Oak Alley, Ted, from spring/early summer 2007, right? Not too many pictures from far away, sans eagle...
And the Natchez being the thoroughbred of the Mississippi I agree with Paul. The results will be the same as the last race with the AQ...I've heard, could be embellished a bit, that the Natchez is so fast that it is possible to waterski behind her. Oh my, now THERE is a thought, jumping the wake might be a bit rude, though...I've heard some unreal number like 17 miles an hour? Smokin'!
07/04/2008 7:53 pm
The best speed I ever heard of for the Natchez is about sixteen MPH still water speed. Compared to all the other sternwheelers around today that is lightning speed.
The races are fun and a great opportunity for the passengers to drink their fill.
07/04/2008 11:23 pm
I can ski at 16mph, not slalom speed but fine with both skis ...should I bring a towrope? I gotta figure out how to get my words "hit it" from me in the water to the pilot house. Is that a vision, or what?
Still, damned impressive. Like I said, smokin'...my cudos to the designing engineer/architect...
07/04/2008 11:36 pm
Alan, do you define still water as truly still water? I have always wanted to see what the NATCHEZ would do in the pool above Wilson Dam on the Tennessee, truly slack water about 100 ft deep. With a unit tow, 9 1/2 ft. draft and a 2,400 hp towboat, I can make between 11 and 11 1/2. I've always wondered what the NATCHEZ could do there if they really let her step!
08/04/2008 7:32 am
I hope both boats go wide open during the race. One year the Delta Queen raced the PA Denny at the Charleston Regatta and she was barely going 5 mph, thats not a race. 🙁
When I went aboard the River Explorer one time for a tour, while in the wheelhouse, someone asked "how fast will this boat go". The pilot said downbound on the lower mississippi they can make 20 mph.
I thought, could that even be possible? I know the river explorer is basically a strong towboat pushing two empty tank barges, but that seems unreal.
08/04/2008 9:38 am
No, Bob, it was an average derived from an upstream run and a downstream one. Like you, I'd love to see what she would do in a deep, still pool.
In the Great Steamboat Race of 1981(?) her buoy was set a full half mile above those of the DQ and BoL. Doc Hawley had loafed along up to Six Mile Island, but when he saw the buoys and got turned he saw red and called for full head - she was landed before the other boats came in sight. The Delta Queen, on a good day can make about 12 mph. The Belle on a VERY good day can make about ten.
Before about 1975 the Belle could run wth the DQ, but since then she has added many tons to her weight and cannot do it any more.
Incidentally, the Susan C. McBride escorts both boats in the Great Steamboat Race. She runs on a slow bell to keep from running over the racers.
08/04/2008 3:07 pm
Actually, once you're up, you don't need the tow rope. Get into those rollers and you'll be surfing. But since even the Natchez would take some time getting up to speed, you might need a snorkle. A wake board might be better.
08/04/2008 3:37 pm
I've wondered what the top speed of the AQ is? I've heard some stories that when asked she can step up pretty good, but the Z's at full output starve the rest of the boat for power? I've been told that the paddlewheel will do 16 rpm when asked but typically does 10 with the Z's at half power when trying to make time. I have seen the AQ at 11 rpm. I've also heard that when haulin', the AQ has a slight cooling water intake problem, I assume for the generators?
Topic starter
08/04/2008 4:55 pm
Race Route
Bruno ,
Just spoke with the V T S supervisor here in New Orleans and the race route has been relocated to the New Orleans , General Anchorage with Bill Wilson's blessings . Hope its a good race and if I am not on a ship I'll be on one of the boats !
Smoothe Sailing !
Ted Davisson
08/04/2008 8:20 pm
The Great Steamboat Race at Louisville is not, of course, a race. One year, when Captain deMarrero was master he shut the DQ down to a dead stop three times to allow the BoL to catch up and "win." I gathered that he had little but contempt for one of Louisville's great drinking bouts.
08/04/2008 9:45 pm
Perhaps it's about time for me to post my Kentucky Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race matrix for its annual review and update.....?