Topic starter
05/03/2009 12:36 pm
I don't know if folks here are aware of this quite fascinating story of two young women who in 1944 took jobs as chambermaids on the steam DPC Corregidor. It is a both a charming and realistic account of their life on this then American Barge Line boat as they travel from Louisville to New Orleans. There are many original photos that the young ladies took including several unusual views of the DPC, a few of the Str. Sprague and others. One must scroll down to the portions that touch on their river experiences but really the whole story is very interesting.
There are always little feelings or sensations associated with events that help one to remember experiences more vividly. Perhaps I shall always remember the vibrations of the engines and the sound like a train riding the tracks, the smell of certain closed rooms above the hot brig, the shrill voice of Mrs. Lynch above the engine noise, and Tommy’s listless face at breakfast after only five hours sleep.
And I’ll remember the luxury of taking a handful of cookies, dipping up a tall glass of milk and eating a whole cantaloupe. I’ll remember trying to understand the southern accent, chopping ice in the chill box, scrubbing black marks from the red linoleum, counting soiled linen in the lounge, and seeing the rigging bared against a sky full of stars!
I’ll remember how our bikes looked on the boiler deck; how the deck hands were always painting; the stuffed feeling around the belt after Wednesday’s and Sunday’s dinner of southern fried chicken, followed by two soup bowls of ice cream; our rush to the guard in our excitement to see anything new that happened, followed by a severe lecture from Mrs. Lynch; and the bliss of having electric fans in the summer heat.
And, too, I have seen the factions and bargaining developed by the union aboard ship, heard the many tales told by Captain Stroube in the pilot house, and listened to his words of wisdom founded upon years of river boating. The ripple of a full moon’s reflection upon the Mississippi, the churn of the water by the propellers, the heat of the engine room and the sweat pouring off the men’s backs, and perhaps most of all, the sound of the throttle bells as the speed of the boat changed. I’ll remember making up sooty beds and folding black towels, putting dishes away in the wrong place, and finding a pail that doesn’t leak. I’ll remember the desolate shores and the sandbars, the tow caught there, the shanty boats and the willows. I’ll remember taking the second bell for meals and catching the beds in between. Yes, there are many things to remember. It will be impossible to forget such a wonderful trip.
Find the whole fascinating story here The Lure of the Open Road, Wartime wandering through the Eastern states by bicycle, truck, and riverboat, 1944, by Thelma Popp Jones. 2007.
05/03/2009 2:01 pm
Larry, this is fantastic!!! I can't wait to read the whole thing!
05/03/2009 3:34 pm
It was fantastic! I just spent an hour and a half of time reading when I should have been working. Don't tell the boss!
05/03/2009 3:53 pm
What a GREAT story! Thanks for sharing it Larry!
05/03/2009 4:42 pm
Super, fantastic story. I just read the whole thing. Interesting river observation, note absence of life jackets on crew. That's the way it was even up into the 1950's. Also the thought came to me how far this country has slipped in values, today those girls would probably end up on some police report or missing persons sheet.
06/03/2009 11:16 pm
Larry: I too read the whole thing and think it is fantastic. Keith, the entry on July 11, I think it is should be of interest to the Museum...details of LST fabrication, etc. Cap'n Walnut.
07/03/2009 4:30 am
That IS some good reading! My dad was an inspector on the LST's as they were being built at Jeffboat. Wonder if they ever saw him. We had a red, white and blue bottle holder on a rope used at one of the LST christenings for many years but it seems to have disappeared. If I ever find it, I'll send it to the Howard museum.
-Jim Herron
07/03/2009 10:35 pm
I wonder if the Capt. Bill Watson mentioned in the story was the same Capt. W. O. (Bill) Watson the boat W.O.WATSON was named for. Capt Bill Watson was a true southern gentleman whom I had the privelge to work with in the latter days of his career at ACBL. Like Capt. Roddy Hammet, Capt. W.O. Watson was murdered in New Orleans on dark night about 25 yers ago.
07/03/2009 11:06 pm
*RE: 'Chambermaids on DPC steamboat, 1944.'*
Hi, Larry & steamboating colleagues:
I can't thank you enough for the incredible posting of the story on this thread. I've read through totally once and intend to read again. Not only is it a classic regarding the rivers but contains great insights on the World War II era. It verges on poetry and in my humble opinion fits well in the anthology of American literature for that period. There's a certain innocent sweetness along with a basic 'that's the way it was then' point of view. Accounts of Louisville and the soldiers on Saturday night caught me instantly. This story deserves wider exposure. Such an account is best told by those who experienced it. Sure brought life to this web lifting us up from many current concerns. Again, many thanks!
Well, what do I know?
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River.
09/03/2009 1:59 pm
I read it all the way through- couldn't put it down. I've sent the link on to quite a number of people. Just one question: what are "eggs blindfolded"? Not a term that I'm familiar with and no one I've asked seems to remember hearing it. Does that mean with a strip of bacon across them? or half folded?
09/03/2009 2:17 pm
Want to relive a moment from this story, you can in Jeffersonville. While they were waiting to leave the shipyard, they went to town and had chocolate sodas.......I'll give you 10 to 1 odds that they went to Schimps on Spring St. It's still there and still going strong and it hasn't changed in years. If you make it to the next River Ramble at Howards, make time for a soda at Schimps, you'll enjoy it.
09/03/2009 3:38 pm
Yes, indeed! Schimpff's Confectionery has been in business since 1891 and is a very popular landmark in downtown Jeffersonville. Besides the oldtime soda fountain, you can visit the candy store/museum and purchase all sorts of delectable goodies that are made right on the premises. Warren and Jill Schimpff are great people and wonderfully enthusiastic supporters of the Howard Steamboat Museum. By all means, plan a visit to their fascinating establishment! They have a fine website at Schimpff's Confectionery in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
09/03/2009 4:59 pm
Tom and Jim: As you know, we have a room on the third floor at the museum full of LST memorabilia and lots of visitors with connections to LST's visit the museum each year. Years ago we had a shadow box with one of the red, white and blue bottle holders from an LST christening, but I think it was lost in the 1971 fire. However, we have a lot of fire damaged items in storage and it could well be boxed up in the attic. If you should run across another, we'd be delighted to have it. Thanks!
10/03/2009 1:52 am
What a fabulous read, running to Amazon to see if it is in book form.
Kim