A Little-told Tale

Maybe a narrow escape for you Alan, but a big loss for the Mississippi Queen.

I remember the "Save the Delta Queen" campaign. I was a teenager at the time. I assume Richard Simonton is the same person who founded the American Theatre Organ Society, of which I was a member between 1974-1982. I assume Mr. Simonton was attracted to the steamboats for the same reason I was-their whistles and their calliopes.

I was part of the regular "Saturday Crew" who helped to restore the former RKO Albee WurliTzer in Emery Theatre. I also had a technical column known as "The Acoustical Consultant" in Theatre Organ magazine between 1978-1982. I understand that the Emery Theatre has since been converted to the Emery Apartments and the organ is being reinstalled in the Music Hall ballroom.

Alan Bates;5795 wrote: In the spring of 1966, or about then, I was a dirt-under-the-nails mate on the Belle of Louisville. At that time the United States Coast Guard was hell bent and determined to eliminate the Delta Queen and strew salt on the ground where she was built. A Spanish ship had caught fire 600 miles from shore and some passeners had been fried, hence any passener steamboat that carried so much as a toothpick was a death trap in their view.
Delta Queen made regular weekly trips from Cincinnati to Kentucky Lake and return. She came to town with Richard Simonton aboard on her return to Cincinnati one week. Soon after her arrival I was invited to supper with Mr. Simonton - it was a rare treat to dine aboard the boat and an even rarer one to meet him. So, at the proper time, all togged out in brass-buttoned uniform and with definite traces of dirt under my nails, I reported to the Delta Queen.
Mr. Simonton and his wife were very gracious and we ate together. There was a lot of small talk. Then I returned to duty on the Belle of Louisville, belly filled and content.
A few days later C. W. Stoll called me. He asked, "Well, will you be the architect for the new Delta Queen?"
What a bombshell of a question! Mr. Simonton had talked of just about everything in the world but design of steamboats, and I had no idea that that was the reason for a dinner treat. He must have not been impressed by the scrubby mate from the Belle of Louisville, for we never met again.
It was a narrow escape for both of us.

Ted,
I would not have lasted one week with the Cunarders!
Alan

Yes, Richard,
it is the same Richard Simonton.

Who gets their collective shorts all bunched up and decides that various agencies do this that and the other to save us from ourselves: Congress. I rather doubt the Commandant at the time woke up one morning and decided on a new Safety at Sea Law.

You were there then, I wasn't, but didn't Richard Simonton have some serious health problems which might have prevented him from carrying through on building a new Steamboat? I believe ONA came on the scene in either 1968 or 1969 and put together the MQ.

Mr. Simonton, being a man fascinated with music and steamboats might have wanted your expert opinion on the Alpine horn.

Richard Simonton sold his shares of the Greene Line to Steedman Hinckley in 1973, about seven years after I was invited to supper. I do not know when the Mississippi Queen plans were started, but it was a couple of years after that meal, maybe more. I started drafting the Natchez in November, 1972, more or less.
Simonton didn't mention alphorns. Neither did I.
John Fryant made a preliminary drawing of a new Delta Queen that was published in the S&D Reflector that had a strong resemblance to the S. S. Brown.

1966 sounds like ancient history, but then I realized my roots on the DQ reach back to a year prior. ONA bought the company and Queen in October of '68, or so, around four months before I returned to the boat after a jaunt in the Air Force. I'm surprised to learn that Mr. S. held onto his GLS until seventy-three. Wonder why?

Where did the years fly?

I got that 1973 date from the S&D Reflector in the Steedman Hinckley obituary. It could be wrong and my memory tells me it was earlier.

Hi, Alan & steamboating colleagues:
Alan's thread 'A Little-told tale' certainly brings back a lot of memories Re: the then new MISSISSIPPI QUEEN. Alan, ONA/DQ CO., needed you a lot more than you needed them at the time. Consider yourself lucky to have gotten away with your sanity and scalp. The posturing, politics, PR 'hooks' would not have been your cup of tea. I well remember the time we all took a tour of the incomplete MQ at JEFFBOAT. The inside was raw steel, cables, equipment, bath fixtures lying around and portable heaters working to keep some semblance of warmth inside. I recall you turning to me and saying something along the lines, "This thing makes me itchy all over." A few of us were there from the beginning all the way to the keel laying, launching, christening and initial shake-down trip July, 1976. Personally, when all is said and done, I've always liked and been partial to the MQ.

I met Steedman Hinkley several times briefly. He was the classic business man in appearance and actions. His family and breeding were evident. Steedman died Aug. 27, 1996 receiving much print notice in the Princeton Alumni, Harvard University Business School and Exeter Academy. He majored also in history. Member of the 'Cottage Club.' As a flyer, he saw duty with the U.S. Military Air Transport Service; Chairman of Overseas Natl. Airways and a prominent force in the successful campaign to deregulate the airline industry. His role in bringing the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN on line need not be repeated here. He was also an environmentalist serving as chairman of the Piedmont Environmental Council. Also served as a trustee of the Highland School in Warrenton, Va. Steedman's business and philanthropic endeavors were legion. As a member of Princeton's class of '53, he later served as the President of that class from 1993-1996. His brother, Albert P. Jr, was also a Princeton graduate, class of '55. The mother of the Hinkley brothers was present at the time of the MQ christening arriving on the scene in an immense limousine in the company of Congress woman Lenora Sullivan. Reminded me of a scene from TV's 'Dynasty' or 'Falcon Crest.' The term 'well heeled' came to mind. It was some day to say the least. Well, what do I remember?

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

I didn't realize you favored the MQ. How many trips did you book on her over the years?

Steamboating colleagues:
'Favoring' the MQ needs explanation. So much was involved in the initial concept, planning, design and lengthy building. Seemed like those of us who were there then bled somewhat in the job. I assisted on the initial market plan but admit I didn't agree with the final decisions. It was an extensive process involving several pages of 'Yes' vs. 'No' along with "What do you see as needed on a new passenger steamboat?" Don't forget she was delayed in the yards by a strike at JEFFBOAT. Nothing can ever replace the DQ, for sure. Yet, as the engraved invitation framed over my desk says, "The DELTA QUEEN STEAMBOAT CO. cordially invites you to join the Honorable Lenor K. Sullivan, Chairman, U.S. Merchant Marine and Fisheries Comm., U.S. Congress for the first christening in 49 years of a grand new steamboat for America, the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN. April 30, 1975, Louisville Kentucky. 12:30 PM christening. 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM reception."

The MQ's initial shake-down trip was just that--and very shaky. No fresh water, plumbing was questionable, pipes ruptured sending water cascading down walls and over carpets. Yet, it was a terrific experience not to be repeated. When you accept a shake-down invitation write it off as you're being a guinea pig to test the vessel, interenal systems and help the crew settle in to serving.

Judy's question, although pointed, is a good one. I never kept record of trips on the boats but know we've booked as ticketed passengers six times on MQ. If you're talking 'blue water' cruises/passages on ships the world over it would total 71. Well, nobody wants to hear that or even cares. How many of you remember those marketing plans for the MQ?

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

Hmmm, I wonder, does flying from McGuire AFB in NJ to Rhein-Main AFB in Frankfurt via ONA qualify for anything? I guess not but it was on a 707 charter courtesy of my rich Uncle (Sam) in April, 1967.
-Jim Herron

Hi, Jim:
Interesting connection you have with ONA in April, 1967. Seems one or two posters on this web mentioned experiences flying with them. There's an Internet link to ONA you can type in and call up. Brief history of ONA, pictures of Steedman Hinkley, officers, crew, aircraft. Also postings by veterans of the line including their reunion sites etc. Yep, Uncle Sam had a way in scattering a number of us around back then, didn't he?

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

I well recall April 30, 1975 when the MQ was christened here at Louisville. It was dark and POURED rain all day long! The MQ was still just a big gray steel hull and superstructure. The DQ, BELLE and JULIA BELLE SWAIN all faced up to the bow of the MQ for the ceremony. When Rep. Leonor K. Sullivan smashed the bubbly on the capstan, the other boats all blew their whistles and the calliopes played. I was aboard the DQ for the christening festivities and the steamboat race that followed. Despite the weather, it was a great day for steamboating!

R. Dale Flick;5824 wrote: "The DELTA QUEEN STEAMBOAT CO. cordially invites you to join the Honorable Lenor K. Sullivan, Chairman, U.S. Merchant Marine and Fisheries Comm., U.S. Congress for the first christening in 49 years of a grand new steamboat for America, the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN. April 30, 1975, Louisville Kentucky. 12:30 PM christening. 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM reception."

Keith Norrington;5830 wrote: The DQ, BELLE and JULIA BELLE SWAIN all faced up to the bow of the MQ for the ceremony.

Wait a minute. Wasn't the Julia Belle Swain christened in 1971?

So we have the DQSC saying that the Mississippi Queen is the first steamboat in 49 years. And we have MAL saying that the Delta Queen is the last overnight steamboat.

It appears that MAL isn't the first to say things that don't exactly match history.

And the NATCHEZ had been christened two weeks before the MQ. Presumably the MQ pr meant 'overnight steamboat', but they conveniently left that out.