Topic starter
12/06/2007 6:57 pm
I have just been fortunate enough to obtain a CD of the Whistle being blown at LaCrosse in 2002 on the Julie Belle Swain. As the whistle is on display at the Murphy library there, I contacted them & the man responsible for the recording has made me a copy. The recording is quite long & they used the whistle to record many "landing calls" of various Steamboats & Barge lines. My father worked on the General Allen, then a U.S. Corps of Engineer Boat, from 1922-1930 & ended up as a pilot so he blew this whistle many times. Thanks again to Keith Norrington for steering me to this source of information, what a "Blast from my past"!!!
Topic starter
12/06/2007 7:17 pm
Add on
Also I might add that the Murphy Library lady was very gracious in obtaining this recording for me. I do not think this recording is available for sale to the general public but due to my father having been aboard the boat during that time period, they made a exception to my request. Thanks again to Keith for providing me with a original 1937 full page, close up, (15 x 22"), print of the Sunday edition of the Minneapolis Tribune picture titled "Steamboat Round The Bend", making steam & blowing that same whistle as she apparently was coming into the St Paul-Minneapolis area with what appears to be a load of "Dignitaries". This very fragile picture, (Now under glass), came out of Keiths own collection & it was also very gracious of him to give & send it to me
13/06/2007 6:01 pm
Ronald, thank you so much for your kind words. When I was first bitten by the "river bug" as a youngster, one of the first things I quickly learned was that "people on the river are happy to give", whether it's the sharing of knowledge, memorabilia, or whatever. As a former teacher and as a longtime volunteer steamboat museum curator, it gives me great pleasure to help others learn more about our river heritage or to direct them where they can find answers to their questions. There is a wealth of expertise on this message board, especially from professional river people, and it's a great venue for communicating with "steamboat buffs and buffettes" we probably wouldn't otherwise meet. Keep up steam!
13/06/2007 8:42 pm
Ronald, you have now joined the hundreds of people who have been a recipient of Keith's generosity. He gives freely with no strings (or life memberships) attached!
Topic starter
15/06/2007 1:32 am
Keiths Generosity
Yes Judy, I know & echo what Keith said about "River People". I was born & raised right on the riverbank & spent the first 21 years of my life prowling & exploring the river. My father was known as the best walleye fisherman in the pool & we also did some commericial fishing, will always have fond memories of those early days & being called, (proudly I might add), a Buffalo City River Rat'!!!!!!!!!. Thanks to this board & Keith I now know "The Whole Story" of the General Allen.