Topic starter
26/08/2013 1:34 am
Despite floods, droughts, plagues of locusts, pestilence and M.A.L., the Upper Mississippi has a steamboat plying its waters again! Here are some shots of the AMERICAN QUEEN as she was coming upriver from L&D 16 this evening. These shots were taken at about mile 464 UMR. As I type, she should be approaching Linwood and Horse Island area, just below our 'harbor' defined by the I-280 bridge. I'll be heading over to L&D 15 and thence to Oneida St. for their Davenport landing. The QUEENS don't stop on the upbound, but this is an 11-night trip with hotel nights, so they are making more stops.
Only thing more goose-bumpy to me while awaiting the appearance of a boat than coming out from behind an island is coming into view 'round the bend!
Topic starter
26/08/2013 1:37 am
More ...
Going by the Isaak Walton place.
Stay tuned for evening shots in the harbor!
Topic starter
26/08/2013 3:31 am
3 hours later...
As the paddlewheel turns... slowly.... there's no rush since they are only 3 miles from their next stop. Good thing, as the only double tow on this stretch of the river just put its first cut into the lock. So the AQ looks as if she's on wheel power only, crawling upriver, slowly enough to get some shots on the auto setting. The Crescent RR bridge tender had the span open and was wondering how long it would be before the QUEEN passed through because his relief was waiting on shore. Capt. Harold Schulz graciously told him to close the span so he could get home.
Shots are from Sunset Park/ 18th Avenue, a mile from my house 480UMR
Topic starter
26/08/2013 4:35 am
3 miles later...
11:15 PM and she's nosed in to the lower tip of Arsenal Island, just below the lower guide wall, awaiting the second cut of the tow to go in. No sense just sitting there myself, so I'm now baking the cookies to take over in the morning. Shortly I'll return for the locking and the landing over at Oneida - looks to be about 1 AM, I'm guessing. Who needs sleep when there's a steamboat in town?
Topic starter
26/08/2013 7:05 am
Midnight at the lock...
Actually it was more like 12:30AM when she locked through. It is nice to have the Government Bridge below the lock from which to take pictures. Notice the one which shows how little space is left width-wise, about 13 feet.
Topic starter
26/08/2013 7:08 am
Locking and landing
More in the lock and then over to Oneida St. in Davenport.
Topic starter
26/08/2013 7:12 am
All stop, all fast 1:35 AM
None of the passengers saw the crew in action at this hour.
And next time the wheel will be whirring is 1 PM, a scant 11 hours from now!
I'm all stop and all fast too!
Topic starter
26/08/2013 8:38 pm
The departure at 1 PM
She left on time, under the direction of Capts. John Boyle, Harold Schultz, and Rob DeLuca. She'll be back next Wednesday for a normal downbound stop.
Topic starter
26/08/2013 8:41 pm
And now the sequence shots...
as she lowers her stacks for the wires and bridges
Topic starter
26/08/2013 8:45 pm
Stacks down, she heads up toward Dubuque
Under the I-74 bridges and onward to Dubuque...
26/08/2013 9:35 pm
Great pictures!
Judy,
Thanks for the wonderful pictures of the American Queen. I am optimistic that I will be able to see her in person this Friday night and Saturday that is if she makes it all the way to St. Paul, MN.
If not a road trip to Red Wing, MN may be in the cards for me!
26/08/2013 10:14 pm
GREAT pictures Judy. I could hear the excitement! Hopefully Barb and I will see you in October on our planned trip up river!
27/08/2013 2:44 pm
Sunday was a great day for "steamboat stalking" and glad we finally connected with you. It was a short night after watching her tie up in Davenport but so worth it. We continued our chase after she passed by here and it took her about 4 hours to get to L&D 13 from mile 505. She had to go through Beaver Slough because of dredging and low water but she made it! I must try to learn how to post pix.
19/09/2013 1:43 pm
Back in the 70s, I had an unpublicized itinerary of the DQ, and was known to "chase" her from below Evansville up to the Newburgh Locks. That was great fun, especially with three friends!
25/09/2013 9:06 am
Absolutely Beautiful!!
This is absolutely beautiful. Can't wait until I can have the funds and time to get to ride her. Thanks for sharing these pics.
25/09/2013 10:27 pm
GREAT pictures, Judy. I'll be on that trip soon. See ya then.