Topic starter
07/02/2011 9:26 pm
The three images attached herewith were a recent addition to my collection courtesy of Ebay. These were taken at the time of the "Century Tow" in 1934 when the 100th tow of Carnegie Steel Company was taken south. The calliope was installed aboard the towboat I. LAMONT HUGHES. As I understand it, this calliope was also "instrument for a day" aboard the towboat R.J. HESLOP for a parade celebrating the centennial of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania -- and was also placed aboard the packet QUEEN CITY for a time. Perhaps, Perfessors Jonathan Tschiggfrie and/or Travis Vasconcelos can elucidate further on this cally-ope caper!
09/02/2011 11:34 pm
A brief history of this instrument, before it ended up in the AMERICA circus wagon (where it still currently resides and is one of a handful of functioning Nichol trackers), was discussed in this thread: http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/2989-elizabeth-pa-1934-steamboat-parade-video.html which includes a link to a YouTube video showing it in the Elizabeth, PA centennial parade aboard the HESLOP. Keith, you posted another photo of the calliope on the QUEEN CITY here: http://www.steamboats.org/forum/steamboats-history/3084-queen-city-cally-ope.html
This makes the only two photos I have ever seen of the QC with a calliope. And they're both in your collection!