American Queen Makes Final St. Paul, MN Visit For 2012

Based on what you describe (no calliope, whistle or wheel), I wonder if the boiler is off line for mechanical reasons?

Wesley

Answers, unofficially

The pilots on watch pretty well determine if the steam whistle or air horn is used. We were lucky to have Finley Fraser on our trip and he liked to go out on the wingbridge and blow the whistle. Others, not so much or never.
I don't know about the wheel.
The calliope wasn't played, and hasn't been played for at least 10 days. When they took down the river grill setup, they also drained the steam line to the calliope. Why, I don't know. I do know one of the captains does not like the calliope and it is played very seldom on his watches.
Yes, when she departed here last Monday, it was a silent farewell: no whistle, airhorn or calliope. Just another boat heading upriver. Sad that what makes her unique and what is really her calling card can be silenced by anonymous officials.

Well, I hate to say this, but without the Whistle, Calliope and Wheel, she's just a "token Steamboat." Those that Pilot her and Captain her should be aware of, and respectful of, REAL Steamboatin' and it's traditions.
Perhaps it's just to expensive to run the steam plant?
Also, I'll bet Travis isn't aboard!

S'
David D.

Steamboat Fans

It is sad to hear that the obvious trappings of a real steamboat are not being utilized. The American Queen is a beautiful boat and real steamboat fans can try to pretend that it is a real STEAM boat and give their full support if The Queen is allowed to put on the "show" at every port. If there is no show and the reason is because of some high hatted officials on board who do not care for the sound of steam then the company needs to bring those individuals in the office and have a serious prayer meeting with them. Give them a choice. Either operate the The Queen as The Queen or go back to operating a tow boat. (no disrespect intended Bob) However, if the problem is mechanical or a maintanence problem then I am sure that all steamboat fans will cut the company some slack till the problems are resolved. Long Live The Queen!

Amen!

Amen Brother Ted! Too bad you're just preaching to the choir though...

*RE: No steam on the AMERICAN QUEEN*
Steamboating colleagues:
Thanks for posting the observations and keen insights on the part of CJ, Wesley, Judy, David and Ted. Interesting...very interesting. I have no doubts your observations have called it correctly. The original logo 'Steamboatin' focused on...well...steam. What? No calliope or whistle! This will never do. From the marketing/image point, the company needs to address this.

Seems I recall [Correct me if I'm wrong] the DELTA QUEEN also experienced this apparent "no steam" policy in her last few years. No calliope or steam whistle here with the infernal air horn being used. In the old days here at Coal Haven the steam tows and diesel boats could be heard 24/7/52. Now with new direct communications boat to boat, seldom is heard a signal. As a kid my dad in the morning would say, "Did you hear that in the night?' "Yeah, dad, it was the GORDON C. GREENE going down." The last of the steam 'wildcat whistles' were something to hear on a cold, frosty night passing here or down at Dayton Bar near St. Rose Catholic church on Eastern Avenue. The steam tows OMAR, VERITY, SEBALD were something to see--and hear--as was the last ISLAND QUEEN. That was a long time ago.

The SS BADGER on Lake Michigan crossings also employas custom her air horn and not the steam whistle. Frank Prudent, a confirmed BADGER fan, may know why if he clicks this thread.

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

After reading your post Judy I had an idea pop in my head. When they drained the steam lines to the calliope they probably did so due to the overnight low temps here on the Upper Mississippi river. While the day time temps have been in the mid 40's to low 50's the night time lows have been in the 20's for a good couple of weeks. HOPEFULLY this is just a precautionary move on ownership and not a sign of a new ill-advised operating procedure.

On the DELTA QUEEN's final St. Paul-St. Louis trip in 1978 we saw BIG snowflakes falling on the Upper Mississippi in late October and it was COLD. When we departed Prairie du Chien, with echoing blasts of that beautiful and hauntingly melodious whistle, I wore my heavy parka -- and a hair dryer was held over the calliope console to warm my stiff fingers as I played! Despite the frigid weather there were crowds at landings and on lock walls to greet the DQ and to enjoy the unforgettable sound of her "voice" one last time until the big sternwheeler again appeared the next summer. Those faithful friends of the DQ all needed one final "steamboat fix" to hold them through the winter months --- and we were more than happy to oblige!

Image: Artwork by Capt. Lexie Palmore of the DQ blowing a whistle salute during a FALL snowstorm on the Upper Mississippi.

Putting on the "Show"

Yup! That's the kind of "Show" I am talking about. That is the way you build support for the boat, build a customer base, and call on those river friends in time of need. It was vital to the Delta Queen going all the way back to the 1970's and is vital to the American Queen today and in the future. Back in the 1970's the crew on board new it and so did the corporate office.

*RE: Putting on the stea "show.*
Steamboating colleagues:
I couldn't agree more with Ted Guillam RE: "That's the kind of 'show' I am talking about." CJ makes a good point about cold weather, steam pipes drained. My memories of the DELTA QUEEN preceed back to the 1950s and early 1960s. Believe-it-or-not, there were old river veterans who decried the installation of the then new calliope on the boat. "Not important...waste of money" etc. on and on. Betty Blake saw the allure of steam whistles, calliope linked to her sale of 'nostalgia' to the mass market. Then she too was blasted for selling the DQ image with period costumes as a big southern cotton packet. Okay, the 1920s flapper era would do in a pinch.

Just moments ago another of those pesky business B=Mails came in from the business site 'Webinar' touting, 'River Cruising Evolves - Win an 8-night Voyage' from American Queen Steamboat Company'--this to the trade and business community.

In a related seminar 'TravelAge West' will discuss, via Ken Shapiro and experts from the leading river cruise lines, this "fast evoling segment of the travel industry. "New vessels, new rivers, innovations rivaling seagoing ships working to cultivate new and repeat customers to this market." Before long the AMERICAN QUEEN, QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI may not be the only kids on the rivers. To those registered a chance to win an eight night voyage aboard the AMERICAN QUEEN. Let's hope the travel experts firmly focus on the AQ's appeal as a steamboat--with calliope and whistle. Well, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

CJ Meyers;30941 wrote: After reading your post Judy I had an idea pop in my head. When they drained the steam lines to the calliope they probably did so due to the overnight low temps here on the Upper Mississippi river. While the day time temps have been in the mid 40's to low 50's the night time lows have been in the 20's for a good couple of weeks. HOPEFULLY this is just a precautionary move on ownership and not a sign of a new ill-advised operating procedure.

That is indeed correct. The fear by some onboard is that the steam pipe to the calliope would freeze up. BUT there are those that are ill-advised too with the company. During my trip to St Paul last week the Hotel Manager onboard, whom is also the Senior VP of Hotel Ops fot AQSC, does not see fit to continue with the tradition of a second line after Captain's Dinner. There was no Captain's toast either. It was just another night's dinner with unpolished service. Also there was no recognition of any past steamboaters what so ever during the trip north. When questioned the Hotel Manager's brusque response was, 'This isn't the Delta Queen Steamboat Co!" I can not help but think if he reacts to a paying passenger this way, God help the employees.

High Hatted Officials

Frank X. Prudent;30945 wrote: During my trip to St Paul last week the Hotel Manager onboard, whom is also the Senior VP of Hotel Ops fot AQSC, does not see fit to continue with the tradition of a second line after Captain's Dinner. There was no Captain's toast either. It was just another night's dinner with unpolished service. Also there was no recognition of any past steamboaters what so ever during the trip north. When questioned the Hotel Manager's brusque response was, 'This isn't the Delta Queen Steamboat Co!" I can not help but think if he reacts to a paying passenger this way, God help the employees.

Very interesting observation Frank. You would think someone as high up in the Hospitality Industry would know a little more about HOSPITALITY. Perhaps you found one of the "High Hatted Officials" that I was refering to in my earlier posting that needs to attend a company inspired "Prayer Meeting" to get his head back on straight. I should think a Captain's Toast at the Captain's Dinner would be obvious, much appreciated by passengers, and cost the company nothing.

*Hospitality Industry/Last night 'toast'*
Ted, & steamboating colleagues:
As you know, many in the Hospitality Industry' today mostly come from schools of hospitality, hotel management, food etc. at various leading universities or culinary schools. Though trained, they often don't have the 'feel' for something like a steamboat. Even Betty Blake mentioned in her classic speech before S&D of Pioneer Rivermen some years ago, "I got hooked just like all of you got hooked."

The Captain's Farewell Dinner and Toast is and has been a tradition on steamboats and even the big, fancy 'blue water' ships today. The late Capt. Mary B. Greene for years offered a toast aboard the various Greene steamers down to the GORDON C. GREENE and the then new DELTA QUEEN.

"'Tis the human touch in this world that counts,
The touch of your hand and mine,
That means so much more to the fainting heart
Than shelter, bread or wine.
For shelter is gone when the night is o'er,
And bread lasts merely a day,
But the touch of the hand,
And the sound of the voice
Will live in our souls always."

Capt. Tom Greene was one with a quip or droll words. At the end of each 'trip' as captain he offered his own words to the passengers after dinner. "If you had a good time, then tell all your friends. If you didn't, then for heaven's sake keep your mouth shut." Another of Capt. Tom's expectation from cook house to dining room servers was, "Hot foods hot, cold foods cold."

Years ago the late Letha C. Greene recounted with much humor something she heard while making her keen eyed rounds to check the boat before sailing hour. The men in the dining room were being instructed for departure when she came down the stairs to the dining room. "Now, y'all look sharp. Act like you got some sense and don't let Mrs. Greene see you polishing the silverware with the same cloth you wiped off the chair seats with." Well, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

I just talked with an employee on board the AQ who confirmed the temps were the reason for draining the lines. This person also said the paddle wheel is being used (perhaps just not in the STP area for a navagation condition) and they thought there was a problem with the whistle.

Polishing the Silver

"Now, y'all look sharp. Act like you got some sense and don't let Mrs. Greene see you polishing the silverware with the same cloth you wiped off the chair seats with."

Now that gets a prize. Thanks for bringing a laugh!

The wheel was being used on the way up to St Paul, but different pilots use the wheel in different ways. One pilot finds it easier to use the Z drives to steer and basically move the boat upriver while another will shut them down and use the wheel to scoot the boat along.

The steam whistle was used to announce our pending departure from each landing, but that was it. The steam whistle can't be blown from inside the pilot house, as of now, so there wasn't much inclination on a pilot's part to walk out on the bridge in chilly weather to blow it.

All of the flag poles running along both sides of the roof were lowered down on their hinges and remained that way. It would be senseless to have them up just to lower them again to get under a bridge. For the same reason the pilot house dome was off and stored along side of the knowledgebox.

A Toast

Dale, thanks for posting Capt. Mary Greene's toast. I don't remember seeing that one before. Let me share a toast that I learned from a tour guide I knew in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country years ago. It may be more travel related than steamboat but it is one I hope I will never forget:

Life is like a journey taken on a train,
With a pair of travelers at each window pane.
I may sit beside you all the journey through,
or I may sit elsewhere never knowing you.
But if chance should have us sit side by side,
Let's be pleasant travelers,
because it's so short a ride.