Topic starter
13/10/2006 1:39 am
In some ways, I liken the NATCHEZ to the gospel boat MEGIDDO. We came up to Cincinnati to spread the gospel that Katrina may have knocked us down, but not out. We came also on the mundane mission to make money to keep us going. And we came to share a most graceful and beautiful steamboat with the people along the Ohio River. Mission accomplished on all counts!
Whether real or not, I had the perception that the NATCHEZ was a 'special guest' this year, not only because it was her first(and probably only) appearance at Tall Stacks, but also because of her homeport and what she represented re: Katrina. It was so heartwarming to have so many passengers ask how things were in New Orleans, how the boat was faring, how the crew members were coping. So many passengers said they chose to ride the NATCHEZ because they thought we needed the fares more than the other boats. Thank you all for opening not only your wallets but also your hearts to us.
This was also a rebirth, a revival. I can't adequately express my feelings when I looked out the Gift Shop door on the Wednesday morning harbor trip, and saw people shoulder to shoulder on deck - 1164 of them! My Gift Shop compadres shared in this joy, as I'm sure the crew throughout the vessel did. We carried 13,000 passengers for the festival, and each one uplifted more than just our monetary coffers.
What a pleasure it was to see so many steamboaters and .orgers, even though I wasn't able to spend much time visiting. Happily, the business in the Gift Shop precluded wandering about the boat, and I hope you understand the lack of social time for me. This was my first opportunity to help out my friends in the crew and the New Orleans Steamboat Company, and I wanted to devote as much time and energy as possible to this privilege of working with them.
The fellowship aspect of TS cannot be emphasized enough: the hugs and chatter of our steamboating passenger friends, the whistle salutes and waves between boats and crews, the cooperation among boat crews, the coordination of the port captains and traffic controllers with the boat captains, and the seamless sharing of duties among the NATCHEZ crew - no, among the NATCHEZ family. Whatever it took and whoever it took, we got it done. From the company president to the crew, to the volunteers, to the temporary help, the effort was fantastic. Glazed eyes and a comment that "I wouldn't do this again for $2000 a day!" didn't stop us during the 14-18 hour days.
There is an inherent danger in passing out kudos to individuals: the danger that someone will be left out. Nevertheless, two special mentions must be made: 1) A salute to our dockside neighbors, the crew of the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE. When we were attempting to land at 1:10 AM in the high water, who was out there wading in almost waist-deep water to find our mooring ring? None other than 3 or 4 of the BELLE's deckhands. And even before arriving in Cincinnati, yes even for last year's Hurricane Relief Trip, Capt. Kevin Mullen and his crew were ever present sources of information and help to the neophyte traveling NATCHEZ crew. A New Orleans harbor salute to the venerable BELLE and her crew! 2) It is often difficult following a legend, but our 'quiet' Master, Capt. Steve Nicoulin, deserves recognition for his untiring and unending efforts. He was everywhere doing anything and everything that needed to be done. Here's hoping he's getting some needed rest on the express trip homeward. You done good, Nick!
Thank you one and all for your support and interest - and see you in New Orleans on the steamer NATCHEZ!
13/10/2006 5:43 am
We plan on a cruise on her the day before we board the DQ this March--still figuring out our schedule & decide lunch or dinner!
S'
Linda & David Dewey
13/10/2006 12:43 pm
Judy: I posted some TS comments that seem to have become lost in cyberspace. But one thing that I did not say was that we who enjoyed Tall Stacks owe a debt of gratitude to those who volunteered their time and talent to make the experience great for the rest of us. That goes, too, for those who were paid and went the extra mile (or ten) to make for a safer, more enjoyable and seemingly seamless experience for the rest of us. It takes a real pro to make the difficult seem easy. From the vantage point of the Ohio River ferry, I saw a feat of piloting magic that astonished me in an assist to a docking boat of some size. Anyway, Judy, my thanks to you for your volunteering and to all the others to. And special mention to you for your reports on TS. We may have seen the last of the NATCHEZ in the Cincinnati harbor, but she will not be soon forgotten.
Topic starter
13/10/2006 1:15 pm
Thanks, it was a labor of love... I was up in the pilothouse briefly three times, but it was obviously no picnic dodging all the traffic out there, and with a swift current to boot! I think the CG did a good job in herding the pleasure craft to the Kentucky side, but I'd like to see a ban on them during the cruises. There are enough big boats out there, without the little ones to contend with (Missie excluded of course!) I suppose the Natchez had it a little easier, being used to the 'war zone' in the NOLA harbor, but it was still quite a chore for the navigation crew. .Org's own Capt. Bob Reynolds was working with Capt.David Smith in traffic control and they helped get everyone out and back safely. One person whose job probably quadrupled with the high water was Capt. Joy Manthey, who was port captain in charge of docking the vessels. Once that high water hit, she had to squeeze us into at least two fewer spots and had to shift boats around to create landing space. I saw her on the levee when we came in at 1:10AM, with two boats still to land, and she was back on the levee(or never left?) when I returned at 7:30AM. And while this was the first TS that Capt. Bill Judd hadn't been in charge of traffic, I know his expertise was tapped many times during the event. The list goes on and on, but we all do it for the same reason: our love of the river and our desire to share it with others! Hopefully we reached many Nick-Taylors out there this year, our river future!
13/10/2006 7:09 pm
It's something when you think that the Str. NATCHEZ has been to Cincinnati TWICE in less than a year's time! When they came up on the hurricane relief tramping trip last November, it was so inspiring to witness firsthand the incredible strength and courage of the crew, many of whom had NO homes back in New Orleans. I was on the landing the night the NATCHEZ arrived in Louisville and I saw nothing but smiles from her officers and crew. Although I already knew Capt. Don Houghton as well as Capts. Steve Nicoulin and Steve Villier (we go WAY back to BELLE OF LOUISVILLE days in the '70's) the other crew members treated me as if I'd been working on the boat with them for years. It was truly an honor and a privilege to be part of the Str. NATCHEZ family for the several days I was their guest calliopist and, again I salute them, with much gratitude, one and ALL!