Topic starter
29/07/2007 10:37 pm
there is a good article on the ADMIRAL in today's St. Louis POST-DISPATCH.
http://www.stltoday.com and http://www.stltoday.com/multimedia
It gives a pretty good rundown of the events leading to the ADMIRAL's decline after her excursion boat career. Ironically, the reputed cost of hull repairs in 1979 ($1.2 million) seems now like pocket change. It is also ironic to me that the ADMIRAL had everything that people demand nowadays in an excursion boat -- air conditioning, a large dance floor, coin operated games for kids, ability to offer extensive food service, etc.
Maybe Annie and/or Jim Blum will chime in and refresh us on the details of the family feud that led to the end of her days as a grand excursion steamer.
29/07/2007 11:08 pm
What is ironic is that several steamboats, remnants of the tail-end of the glorious and grand Great Steamboat Era, are still in existence at this very moment, but soon may be gone forever. Including, but not limited to, are the ADMIRAL, PRESIDENT, US MITCHELL, WAKE ROBIN, MAMIE BARRETT, Etc.
Thanks for the links. Great stuff in the first one, for sure. Click onto the "The ADMIRAL Turns 100" link where the crew is inside one of the wheel houses. Isn't that a young, bearded Captain Don Summers; second from the left?
Topic starter
30/07/2007 12:02 am
Sam, one could certainly claim that, even if it weren't true!
30/07/2007 2:48 pm
Yes, a great article on the Admiral. Here is a direct link to the article. This will help those who may read this thread in later days. The article didn't say too much that many of us didn't already feel would happen... that the boat's days are numbered. It is nice to hear that they are spending a little money to replace some dilapidated carpeting and other improvements. While in bankruptcy, under Connelly's ownership, the boat was just rotting away.
30/07/2007 7:21 pm
Rumor is that they are going to recreate the Streckfus days of the Saint Paul and JS Deluxe - in that one casino will cater to the 'regular' crowd, while the other will be more deluxe and cater to the more 'affluent' clientele.
30/07/2007 7:36 pm
Yes, that is the current plan. They have positioned Lumiere Place as the upscale destination, with the Admiral as the destination for those with a less flashy desire. In Pinnacle's eyes, why let them escape downtown and go to the Casino Queen in Illinois. The River City Casino, opening in south St. Louis County in 2008 will be more of a common person's casino destination. So, in the end, Pinnacle will operate 3 of the 7 casinos in the metro area. Whether or not they keep the Admiral is up to them, and whether they can successfully operate two properties just blocks apart. I still believe that even if it doesn't happen soon, the Admiral's days in St. Louis are numbered.
If Pinnacle really wants to create a "new beginning" for the Admiral, how about dumping that President Casino name? It's dumb to continue calling it the President Casino on the Admiral, when there is no more President Casino company. Like the distinct names for their other two projects, just calling it the 'Admiral' would suffice. If they were into really doing something, how about removing those obnoxious, boxy, blue barges from the side of the boat, too. Ah, to dream...
30/07/2007 11:48 pm
Unfortunately those boxy Blue barges contain the City mandated fire escapes, offices and the winches that keep the whole place on the Riverfront. They at least, were built new.