Goldenrod Showboat Update

Looks like she has quite a starboard list. Hope someone is checking the hull for water and keeping her pumped out! Please keep us up to date with the latest news on the boat. I last saw her in 2004 and she looked bad then...but this is just shocking. We have lost enough historic vessels already...we don't need to lose another!

Jacob,
If you're having lots of break-ins and vandalism, you might consider a fairly low-cost security camera system. Those remote "Game" cameras that deer hunters use to take photos work pretty good. They now have infra-red LED flash, so when the camera detects motion and takes a photo at night, you don't see a blinding flash. In fact you don't see anything happen, and so a vandal doesn't know he is being photographed. Some of these cameras even have options for retrieving photos remotely, using a cell phone uplink. These cameras run about one month on 4 "D" batteries. The really good cameras, such as the Moultrie I-45, start right at $100.

Hull / Camera

We have looked in the hull and there is some water in it. maybe 2-3 inches or so but its only on one side of the boat. The thing is we don't have any electricity out where the boat is located.

The deer camera is a great idea. Thanks! I will look into that asap.

*RE: H20 in GOLDENROD hull.*

Hi, Jacob & Steamboating colleagues:
Your update with photo on the present state of the GOLDENROD gave me a moment of pause. With 2 to 3 inches of water in the hull a serious matter. Water coming in through the hull or from above needs immediate attention leading into autmn rains, snow/ice this winter. I'm certainly no expert in any field, mind you.

I recall Alan Bates commenting once on the factor of even one inch in a flat hull if the vessel destabilizes. "Down on one side" indicates to me it may only get worse. One U.S. gallon of water = 8.34 pounds. In the UK an Imperial Gallon of water = 10 lbs. Salt water heavier as we know. The GOLDENROD water factor and security in general a top priority. Others on this web more marine savvy than me might have comments. Bill Judd, Alan Bates, Steve Huffman, Kenny Howe, Bob Reynolds etc. come to mind. Vandals up to mayhem and mischief troublesome. Is there a local police authority there who could be asked to swing by now and then on duty rounds to check? A possible night light with a timer run in from a nearby electrical possible if logistics allow. This the problem docking boats in unscured, isolated spots. What possible wash or wave action takes place from passing vessels?

As an example: MIT did studies on water injection finding that one 18 inch open/shattered porthole can inject over 3 tons + of water per minute submerged three feet down. Keep us posted and good luck in your endavors. Well, what do I know?

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

Two to three inches of water might be a problem and it might not. It depends on the source, the time it takes to accumulate, etc. This amount could easily be rainwater from one or several small cracks in the deck, allowing rainwater to seep in over time. It could be a very slow weep in a cracked weld or rivet. Condensation plays a part, too. If this much water accumulates over, say, a week after being pumped dry, then a more serious problem is likely.

One way to keep her pumped out is to use a small generator with one or two submersible pumps. Of course, one has to monitor this. If another source of electricity can be found, there are sump pumps that operate with a float system to cut them off and on. Possibly the guys on the Kampsville ferry could keep an eye on her for you?

After talking to my buddy who is also helping with the Goldenrod we have determined that there is a lot more than 2-3 inches of water in the hull. We are working to get it pumped out asap. Thanks for all of the comments! If anyone else has any questions or concerns please post them so we can help save this boat! I'm sure there are things we have not checked on the Goldenrod seeing that we are new to boats on this scale.

If you discover a small leak, you can use pieces of cedar shims and oakum (oil-soaked hemp rope) as a temporary way to plug the hole. You can still get cedar shims at your local lumber yard for adjusting door jambs, but I don't know where you can get oakum these days (try Google search?). Oakum was traditionally used for "caulking" the seams of wooden hulls.

Once we find out what is leaking we will have to use something. I think its on the new hull. there is a lot of holes on it from rust on the deck. I will give updates as soon as we get to the boat and take a closer look

Find someone locally who is an old hand at boats that size. Leak chasing can be complicated. If need be, putting the Goldenrod on dry land is not a bad option. Sure beats having it sink. Have you contemplated that possibility?

Getting the "hull idea"!

Jacob, as you probably are well aware, the original 1909 wooden hull of the GOLDENROD was placed into a surplus DPC steel barge in 1947, while still owned and operated by Capt. J.W. Menke. This was done by sinking the barge, floating the showboat over it and then pumping out the barge as the showboat settled into it. The feat was accomplished at St. Louis Ship, so quickly that the GOLDENROD was absent from the St. Louis levee for 24 hours, missing only one melodrama performance!

I know the showboat was drydocked and a new steel overlay installed some years ago (between 1990 and 2003) while at St. Charles. Earlier, much of the old wooden hull was cut out during the summer of 1968 at which time the owner, the late Frank C. Pierson, had two offices built in the hold. Curator Ruth Ferris rescued a number of the old pieces before they went into the river and arranged a unique "sculpture" exhibit in her Midship Steamboat Museum aboard the Str. BECKY THATCHER (also owned by Pierson) of hull timbers and spikes, some of them 36" long. I imagine that a lot of the original hull remains encased within the barge. In my collection of "steamboat stuff" is a large chunk of the old hull with a 24" spike through it.

Good luck with the project to resurrect the GOLDENROD. Time is of the essence and it can't happen too soon! As Capt. Lexie mentioned, it wouldn't be at all a bad idea to take her out of the water if it means the survival of the largest showboat ever built, and one of only two authentic showboats in existence, the other being the MAJESTIC at Cincinnati.

Here's to a NEW life for the venerable SHOWBOAT GOLDENROD!

Travis,
The list you are seeing is because she is moored too close to the bank. The river now being at an all time low. She is sitting on the bank for the most part. She needs to be moored further out but apparently there is little concern for the stress being placed on her superstructure by letting her lean. Won't be anything to save if something isn't done soon.

Jacob,
They do make gas powered pumps so no need for electricity on site to pump her out! As for break ins sorry to hear that. I drive by her twice a week in the evenings and again in the early morning hours and never see anyone around. If i do i will be letting the Calhoun County Sheriffs dept know!

Travis Vasconcelos;27544 wrote: Looks like she has quite a starboard list. Hope someone is checking the hull for water and keeping her pumped out! Please keep us up to date with the latest news on the boat. I last saw her in 2004 and she looked bad then...but this is just shocking. We have lost enough historic vessels already...we don't need to lose another!

Wayne,
It would be greatly appreciated if you took a look at the boat when you drive by. The Sheriffs dept knows my truck and I'm usually there on Sundays. If you see anyone there please call it in.
Thanks

We have thought of putting the Goldenrod on land and it is still a possibility.

Keith.
Much of the original hull is still down in the barge. It is really neat to go look around down there and see all of the woodwork that held up the Goldenrod for all these years.

The Goldenrod Showboat's new website is finally up! Check it out and leave some feedback!

www.goldenrod-showboat.com

Interesting pictures

Its a good start, with interesting pictures. It would be nice to annotate them if possible.

Thats a great idea! but, I don't know if i can. I will try tonight!

Showboat Images Identification

Inasmuch as several of the images on the website are from my collection and camera, I can provide more information.

Color photo (night) of GOLDENROD and Str. BECKY THATCHER - St. Louis 1970
B&W view, taken from the Eads Bridge of GOLDENROD and BECKY - 1967
Stern view of GOLDENROD (b&W) - taken by KN on June 23, 1968
Capt. J.W. Menke in the showboat office - 1938

Your website is great! Glad you have Don Franz and the St. Louis Ragtimers on board to help promote the cause!

Keith I put your name on the website on the photo gallery page for credit for your pictures. If I used anyone elses pictures PLEASE send me an email and I will put your name on the website for credit. I used google images to get these photos. I am truly sorry if anyone is upset that your pictures were used without permission. I have went through this website and I credited anyone who posted a picture of the Goldenrod that was used on the photo gallery.

Thanks
Jake
[email protected]

Does anyone know if there are any books that have the Goldenrod in them? I am trying to do as much research on the Goldenrod as possible.

Thanks!

Jacob,
I have a gas powered water pump and 20 to 25ft for suction hose. I would be more then willing to meet you one of these Sundays soon and pump the old gal out. If you all would be willing to provide a couple of gallons of gas. Would like to opportunity to meet with you and tour the boat and take some pics.

I haven't had the pump running in 6 months or so. So if you are interested let me know. I will make sure it still starts and change the oil in it and have it ready to go. More then willing to help in any way i can in order to see the boat saved.

As i said in an earlier post i drive by her regularly and drive by her slow looking for anything out of the ordinary. Have been keeping an eye on her since she was first moored in her current location.

So if your interested just let me know here or inbox me !
Thx Wayne

Wayne,

I might have to take you up on that. I have to wait for few days because of a meeting that is for the Goldenrod. After that meeting I will know more about what we need to do and then I will contact you for a meeting time! Thanks for your help!

Showboat Saga a Melodrama in Real Life!

Jake: Thanks very much for the picture credits. As I mentioned previously, please feel free to use any images you wish from my collection as I am more than happy to help in this worthy endeavor.

If you can visit the Herman T. Pott Inland Waterways Library, housed at the Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, you will find a treasure trove of GOLDENROD photos and historical information there. Much of it will be in the Ruth Ferris Collection of River Life and Lore, as well as in other collections. Curator Sean Visintainer will be happy to help you!

Another good source would be to contact Mr. Don Franz, of The St. Louis Ragtimers. He was a business partner of the late Frank Pierson when the burned out showboat was purchased from Capt. Menke and restored, reopening in 1965. The Ragtimers performed regularly for many years aboard the showboat. I know that Don is very concerned about the Goldenrod's future and I'm sure he will be happy to talk with you.

Thanks very much, Wayne, for your kind offer of assistance in pumping the hull out. Hope you can share some pictures with us soon!

Thanks, Jake, for the regular updates and GOOD LUCK!

Jacob,
No problem just let me know. I would very much like to help in anyway i can to help save this piece of history. And preserve it for future generations to come.
Thx Wayne

Jacob Medford;27749 wrote: Wayne,

I might have to take you up on that. I have to wait for few days because of a meeting that is for the Goldenrod. After that meeting I will know more about what we need to do and then I will contact you for a meeting time! Thanks for your help!

Thanks Keith,
Just trying to help in any small way that i can. Wish i had deeper pockets but since that isn't the case. I do have a bit of time and want to see the goldenrod saved. Too much history is disappearing around us every day. Can't let this one slip though our hands!
Thanks Wayne

Keith Norrington;27752 wrote: Jake: Thanks very much for the picture credits. As I mentioned previously, please feel free to use any images you wish from my collection as I am more than happy to help in this worthy endeavor.

If you can visit the Herman T. Pott Inland Waterways Library, housed at the Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, you will find a treasure trove of GOLDENROD photos and historical information there. Much of it will be in the Ruth Ferris Collection of River Life and Lore, as well as in other collections. Curator Sean Visintainer will be happy to help you!

Another good source would be to contact Mr. Don Franz, of The St. Louis Ragtimers. He was a business partner of the late Frank Pierson when the burned out showboat was purchased from Capt. Menke and restored, reopening in 1965. The Ragtimers performed regularly for many years aboard the showboat. I know that Dan is very concerned about the Goldenrod's future and I'm sure he will be happy to talk with you.

Thanks very much, Wayne, for your kind offer of assistance in pumping the hull out. Hope you can share some pictures with us soon!

Thanks, Jake, for the regular updates and GOOD LUCK!