American Queen Considering Memphis

This is almost identical to the one that ran in the Memphis paper about 2 or 3 months ago. Don't they know the MQ is gone? I need to be a reporter, it is an easy job where you just take things and print whatever.

Ive just gotten used to the mis-information Ed. I try to filter it with whatever inside info I may have.

For what it's worth: WMC TV 5 in Memphis did a rather lengthy story on this last night. They reported that J.R. "Pitt" Hyde was to buy the AMERICAN QUEEN and lease it back to the operators. They also plan a hotel in Memphis and gave what I felt was an inflated number as far as jobs to be created and money to be brought to the local economy. The station did at least get a picture of the right boat up there. While the reporting was not the greatest in the world, I do know that the operators met with both the Mayor and the City Council and that they voted to do what it took to help this succeed.

J.R. "Pitt" Hyde is Chairman and CEO of AutoZone Corporation, a nationwide automotive parts company headquartered in Memphis. I will say I have the utmost respect for Mr. Hyde -- his business acumen, his civic and charitable work, etc. have always been first-rate. If he actually is on board with this thing, then I see some hope for this coming to fruition.

AQ ownership

That setup would make sense Bob, as the previously mentioned 'buyers' are operators, not moneyed people. So here's their money. Also, if you check the Great American Steamboat website, you'll see they already have a Memphis address listed for their office. Let's hope this one's for real and we'll get one overnight steamboat running again ( also notice on their website they used a picture of the AQ in all white - no navy blue rear end!)

Here´s the article and video of WMC TV 5 plus a presentation.

Carmen

A couple of asides....

After reading the presentation, a couple of ancillary thoughts hit me: since the AQ is to be part of revitalizing the riverfront and drawing people to the river, it would seem logical that offering tours of the boat while she is in port would be a positive part of this attracting idea - charge $5 or so and give a guided tour. Please don't post about this interfering with the duties of the crew on a changeover day or interfering with the privacy of passengers - it could be done if the company wanted to do it. The admission fee would cover the guide's pay. And as we who rode or worked on the DQ back when townspeople were allowed to tour, know, it is not only a goodwill gesture, but it sells future trips. And that is going to be a major task. The second thought is that while Memphis may be a good place for the base operations (the airport has great BB places on each concourse), the stretch of river the passengers will experience the first day either way will be less than picturesque. That would be a good kiteflying/Vox Calliopus day and a time to point out the more scenic stretches ahead... here's hoping this project gets to that stage!

Good points, Judy. One other thing that bothered me a bit was the way the TV station described the trips...not exactly untrue, but they did not indicate the length or pricing of the trips. In years past when I would tell people that the DELTA QUEEN engaged in "overnight cruises", they seemed to think that it was just that -- over one night. Folks would also often ask something like, "Well once you get to St. Louis, how do you get back?" I'm thinking that the presentation given to the city might lead a large number of people to think this is somewhat like a glorified excursion, that for a couple hundred dollars folks can go to St. Louis one day and night, and come back the next.

Of course, there will be those who may not have previously known about river cruising who do find it attractive no matter the time required or the price, but the way it was presented on TV will give false hope to a lot of people who would never be able to go.

To tout this as an economic boon to the city may be a bit misleading as well. Repair facilities in Memphis are almost non-existent for a vessel of the size of the AQ. While some boat jobs might be filled by Memphians, many would quickly lose their interest once they found out what working on an overnight steamboat involves. Yes, some office jobs would be created, but to consider it a boon to the Memphis economy would, to me, be a bit of an overstatement.

As Dale would say, "Well, what do I know?"

Memphis

It probably comes down to choosing Memphis because that is where the monied potential buyer is... Personally I wish St. Louis or Cincinnati were the chosen headquarters, with winter operations out of NOLA. But you've got to go where the money is, and if this person is willing to put out that much money, whatever he wants... his ex wouldn't happen to be with ACL, would she, Bob?
(a river version of AutoZone vs. O'Reillys!)

I don't know, Judy!

I just read the presentation, and while I have had my hopes raised in the past, only to have them dashed, I have high hopes for this one. I will say that Mayor Wharton is a class act and a very smart man, and if he and Pitt Hyde are aboard on this, it seems, on the surface, to have much more credibility than any of the other proposals I've seen.

kites

Bring on the kites....I've got rolls of string left over from the last run we made on the DQ, and plenty of plastic kites ready to be eaten by the paddlewheel.....

Judy Patsch;25993 wrote: After reading the presentation, a couple of ancillary thoughts hit me: since the AQ is to be part of revitalizing the riverfront and drawing people to the river, it would seem logical that offering tours of the boat while she is in port would be a positive part of this attracting idea - charge $5 or so and give a guided tour. Please don't post about this interfering with the duties of the crew on a changeover day or interfering with the privacy of passengers - it could be done if the company wanted to do it. The admission fee would cover the guide's pay. And as we who rode or worked on the DQ back when townspeople were allowed to tour, know, it is not only a goodwill gesture, but it sells future trips. And that is going to be a major task. The second thought is that while Memphis may be a good place for the base operations (the airport has great BB places on each concourse), the stretch of river the passengers will experience the first day either way will be less than picturesque. That would be a good kiteflying/Vox Calliopus day and a time to point out the more scenic stretches ahead... here's hoping this project gets to that stage!

Great American Steamboat Company

I know many of you heard about this from me at the last Delta Queen Reunion and at that time the company had a deposit on the MQ. That fell through as the owner was able to get more sell her for scrap. We have all mourned her loss and I know that so many of us have heard rumor after rumor. I've been working with these former DQSC people and they have had to wait until they had some things in place. We'll here it is! The long awaited announcement. I don't have details yet on when she will be ready to be on the market but it will be soon and I will have the information as soon as it is available. I'd be glad to keep anyone informed. Contact me here or at the office or by email. The Great American Steamboat Company
This is so exciting and I know how hard and how long these people have been working! It's my honor and privilege to once again be a part of a real American riverboat company and look forward to selling this product and being back on the rivers. More to come.

Thank you for all your behind-the-scenes work and support with these folks, Charlene. These are people who know how to run a steamboat operation. And, it will be agents like you, whose long association with DQSC and with a reputation for consistently bringing creative and appealing tour group programs on board the vessels, whose enthusiastic support will help provide business for the new company.

The best part at the moment is imagining the countless clicks to the career link on the GASC site that are being made by steamboat crew members who are waiting in the wings for their chance to return to the life and the work they love.

Long live steamboating!!

I don't know where you are getting your information and if we are even talking about the same boat or not. A friend stopped at the Argosy yard at Belle River, La., on Friday. About 25% of the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN has been scrapped. The two mermaids that were on the stern have been saved and are now sitting in the yard. The photographer Tom Waller has given me permission to post these photos for non-commercial use. Hi rez images are available by contacting me direct at [email protected].

This is in reference to the American Queen only being operated by Great American Steamboat Company. Just about up until the wrecking ball began to swing, it was a strong possibility they would also be resurrecting the Mississippi Queen, but in the end, the owner chose the higher money option of scrapping her.

I hope that this all comes to pass. It would be fantastic, but to be operating by 2012, they have much work to do and fast. I would like to be one of their first passengers, but I already have a transatlantic crossing booked on the R.M.S. QUEEN MARY 2 and one on the QUEEN ELIZABETH next year. I had to put in my request for 2012 vacation time already. I'm sure others face the same situation.

I simitted my information on their site to see if they send me something. If they do and it is true I will book the earliest cruise I can get. Fingers crossed...

I clicked. First of all, they only had ONE position available and did not say what it was, just used a code number. I scrolled down further and in a list of the licensed officer positions, they did not mention any Inland type licenses, just Oceans and Near Coastal.

Sounds like a work in progress - I'd keep checking back. It does go on to say the following, which sounds like you can submit your info to be kept on file:

Thank you for visiting our application website. If you have an interest in a future opening with the Great American Steamboat Company, please use the "Apply for this Position" link to create a profile, complete the application completely and attach your resume. We will be using this database to search for specific talent when the time arrives to recruit for those openings. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing your application.

GASC

This company has just gotten the endorsement of the city of Memphis to be used as their home port. This is a real company and they do have plans to operate the AQ. They put up this cursory information for the company so that you would all know it is real. I am working closely with them and we will have information concerning itineraries and dates soon. Be patient. This is coming and I am completely supportive of their mission and their plans. Ed, you will not get any more information than this because it won't go out, even to agents, until they are ready to take reservations. I'll have the information as soon as that is available. I know there are many steamboaters ready to support her and I am grateful for these DQSC people who have never lost their love of steamboats nor their vision for keeping this alive. Please let's all be positive. It is happening.

Charlene,

as we already are having this thread about the Great American Steamboat Company, I´ve merged both threads.

Carmen

Sounds like good news for the AQ.

I made a 2012 cruise schedule for the American Queen. I have no idea when the GASC plans to start, but I have Feb 1 2012 as the first departure date.

Here is a link to my "fake" schedule:

a little magnifying glass should appear on your screen to make the image bigger because its so tall.

I just hope you cover up that horrible navy blue on her sides.

Nick-Taylor;26072 wrote: Sounds like good news for the AQ.

I made a 2012 cruise schedule for the American Queen. I have no idea when the GASC plans to start, but I have Feb 1 2012 as the first departure date.

Here is a link to my "fake" schedule:

a little magnifying glass should appear on your screen to make the image bigger because its so tall.

Honestly, that's not too far fetched of a schedule for the boat. There are a few changes that IMHO would be necessary. 1) There needs to be a Cincinnati to Louisville; Kentucky Derby round trip. That trip always was able to command higher per diem fares and be booked solid. 2) Run her on the upper Mississippi during fall foilage season. Traditionally, it was easier too sell the boat on the Mississippi that time of year. An "Adventure Cruise" from St. Paul to St Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and then to her winter home would be a great way to end the fall season. 3) And if I may back track a second, start the season with New Orleans and Carnival season theme cruises. Make a grand Mardi Gras trip as the final trip before Lent. Let the boat in New Orleans on Lundi Gras, and have King Rex arrive by steamboat once again. Ah to dream!

Hello Frank, if you would like me to send you the document to make edits, I can, or anyone else that wants it. Everyone on the site knows alot more about steamboats, and where they should be at a certain time of the year than I do. I wanted to see the AQ in Louisville during the 2012 great steamboat race, but I didn't think about the Derby. Good idea. 🙂 I read something about the new company wanting alot of cruises departing out of Memphis, I think I have 23 cruises that start in Memphis. I have alot of 7 night cruises, maybe too many. I am no pro, just a river/steamboat buff who is excited to see some good news about overnight steamboats.