Happy Birthday American Queen

Keith Tinnin;5881 wrote:
For those who were there for the MQ christening: can you give us some details?

On that drizzly April day in Louisville, it took Hon. Leonore K. Sullivan, Chair of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, two whacks of the red white and blue ribband covered bottle of Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc to break it on the capstan.

Later on when the MQ was in service, you could buy a bottle of the Schramsberg for $20.00 to toast your cruise. By the way, this was the most expensive wine/champagne on her wine list at the time.

Franz has video of the MQ christening, I think.

Paul

Steamboating colleagues:
Hi, Keith T., Frank & Paul. The christening of the then new MISSISSIPPI QUEEN on April 30, 1975 shaped up as something of a dicey affair due to the high water that week on the Ohio River at Louisville. JEFFBOAT had the MQ towed over from the yards facing down river. The BELLE OF LOUISVILLE was tied up along with the JULIA BELLE SWAIN [*First time I'd seen the JULIA or even stepped aboard her.] The DELTA QUEEN finally arrived and there were some tense moments as she was maneuvered into position facing the MQ. Water was high and I vaguely recall one end of the hotel lower parking garage having water inside. All was accomplished and people invited streamed aboard the DQ and the JULIA BELLE for an 11:00 AM reception. The christening itself was slated for 12:30 PM. I don't recall any other than the official christening party being allowed on the bow of the MQ beyond the dignitaries, press and band to lend kicky tunes.

Those in the official party were: Capt. Ernest Wagner of the DQ, Albert P. Hinkey, Jr., Steedman Hinkley of ONA, Rep Lenor K. Sullivan (D-Mo.) and Betty Blake, president of the DELTA QUEEN STEAMBOAT CO. The MQ superstructure had been festooned with American flags and red/white/blue bunting to dress up the dark gray painted steel. Another real star of the day was John W. Warner, Sec. of the Navy and chairman of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration. I 'think' Warner was married to famed Elizabeth Taylor at the time. There were long faces when Ms. Taylor was not to be seen. I can't think of a more glamorous assembly of people standing on the bow of the MQ. People tended to 'dress' more for functions in those days and the weather called for warmer clothes, coats, hats. It 'milded up' a bit later in the afternoon.

John Warner was introduced and in good Navy fashion made light of the drizzle and rain saying, "Welcome and enjoy a good sailor's mist." Warner 'questioned' Betty Blake on the boat not being christened against the steel hull a la blue water style. Betty held her ground saying that no mud blooded river man would never think of christening such a vessel other than on the deck capstan. There was a look on Warner's face followed by a grin and things moved on. I can't recall what all said to the crowd after 31 years. Lenor Sullivan expertly struck the big bottle of bubbly twice on the capstan with a shower erupting on her and others in the dignitary group. There were cheers, shouts, boom of fireworks, music and then the appearance in the sky of several ONA aircraft flying low over the river with red/white/blue signal smoke streaming behind. Were people impressed? You bet and there was an air of great optimism. The keel laying of the MQ started the building process in November, 1973.

John Fryant was there and I think also got footage on either film or tape of the ceremony. A number of guests came so equipped and I'm sure there are scores of such movies/tapes in existence. The MQ was later hauled back to JEFFBOAT. The traditional steamboat race was held that day. Much work remained to be done on the boat at the yards. I'm sure there are others on this web who may have other memories of that day. It was a 'time and place, set and setting' event with many having different views and memories. The christening was exciting, but nothing like the dramatic launching down the ways of the MQ hull in 1974. I look now at those photos and names on lists and can't believe how many are no longer with us going on to their rewards. Well, what do I know or remember?

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

Commerative Champagne

Thanks for those memories Dale. I was in the crowd that day but certainly not among any of the dignitaries. I didn't know anyone or anything in those days. All I knew was that I had been following any news that I could get my hands on about the construction of the new MQ. I read that there would be a christening. So I took the day off from work and drove to Louisville. My only regret that day was after the ceremony was over. They had some commemorative bottles of champagne like the vintage used for the christening that they were giving out. They were small bottles, about the size of a beer bottle or smaller with a special label. They must have had some extras because they were giving them away left and right on the bow of the DQ to anyone that would come forward. I was shy at the time (hard to believe) and was afraid to run up to the bow like many others in the crowd were doing to get a bottle. Did you get a bottle and do you still have it?

Hi, Ted:
I thought about you in writing some of the above memories. The PR listed "1,000 attending the christening." Yes, those bottles of commemmorative champagne termed CHRISTENING CHAMPAGNE for the event and later consumption came in the large bottle to christen, regular size and the many smaller bottles called 'splits.' I had a number of 'splits' but gave most away to folks who couldn't make the event or were deeply interested. I have two surviving bottles here on my library shelves now. The vintage was bottled by 'Meier's Wine Cellars, Inc.' of Silverton, OH [Suburb of Cincinnati]. The preparation of a christening bottle for vessels is a special deal. Bottles used to be carefully encased in specially woven cord like macrame or even ribbons to hold the glass fragement in place to avoid accidents. In the old days there was a special weaver--at times a sailor, mate or other crew member--who could do the intricate cord weaving on the bottles.

Christening with spirits on the bows, hulls of vessels is ancient beyond nearly the living memory of humans going back well beyond ancient classic times. Then it was done with wine and fine oil with prayers, incantations and requests to the gods for long life, safety and a prosperous career.

It was said at the time of the christening of the great liner NORMAIDIE: "...Like human beings, vessels are unmistakably individual. No two are exactly alike; not even sister ships. Like humans, ships are subject to fate--to accident, unforseen happenstance, disaster or failure. They are repositories of hopes--of the designer, builders, the owners, the crew, and one set of passengers after another. And, like people, they live up to those hopes, sometimes not. They're smart or dull, fast or slow. They're worse than average, better than average or outstanding." Well, what do I know?

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

It is personally interesting for me to read this thread. The Mississippi Queen anniversary is about a year after my first showboat expience (in Marietta), and the AQ anniversary was while we were moving to St. Louis. The entire time we lived in St. Louis county, I never got to see any of the queens while they were in town.

One month and counting down until I see the AQ for the first time.

Hi, Bruce:
Glad you found the MQ postings of some humble merit. Yes, there was a lot going on back then that could fill a book. Being 'in' and 'around' it doesn't mean knowing 'all' about it. Turn your head or blink your eye for an instant and we miss things of interest. A lot of memories came flooding back when I thought of those days and then pawed through the old papers, plans, letters, photos and 35 mm. slides here at home. The big thing, as stated, is remembering all of those involved or present who are no longer with us. It was at that time that Capt. Ernest Wagner was elevated to 'Commodore' of the then DQ CO. I can't recall what his sentiments or comments on this were at the time.

I know little to nothing about when or how the AMERICAN QUEEN was built. In fact, not all that much appeared here in Cincinnati at the time until she came lurking up the river under the Suspension Bridge. I never laid eyes on the AQ for some years until she was docked in Marietta during a past S&D meeting. Then another few years until I stepped aboard by invitation for dinners or lunch and later see passengers off. Hard to believe, but there are life-long residents of Cincinnati here who have never laid eyes on the DELTA QUEEN other than TV, newspapers, magazines etc. In 1997 the MQ was stuck here between the bridges for a considerable time due to the horrendous Ohio River flood. Passengers slated to sale were offered the opportunity to cancel. Many lived on the boat here for their cruise and were dined and entertained royally aboard and with visits to regional attractions and sites of interest..

I wish you and yours the very best in your impending AQ cruise and know you will no doubt enjoy each and every moment aboard. Hey, 'fun goes by when you're watching time.'

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

It was the AQ that was stuck in Cincy in the 1997 high water. Doc was pilot on her and advised them against coming in to the landing, knowing how rapidly the river rises... so of course they came into the landing and stayed 3 weeks and megabucks.... (Doc recommended going into Andersons Ferry landing)

I'm sure that someone here can tell the story better than I, but Capt Davitt's telling of the AQ getting stuck during a pre-inaugural cruise is priceless. I can only remember for sure that as he was on the wing station, his cell phone rang. His wife was calling to see if he knew he was on CNN.

Paul

MQ christening photos

I wasn't there, but I have some photos I'm glad to share online of the MQ christening. In the first one, that's Betty Blake, ?, Alice Mom Tooker, Eddie Bayard, Vic Tooker, Pop Tooker behind Vic's left shoulder, Pete Eveland, Capt. Wagner, and the rest ???. In picture two, that's Capt. Wagner, Betty Blake, Capt. Fred Way Jr. and Vic Tooker. Picture three I took from the DQ as we passed Jeffboat in July '75, 3 months after the christening and with a lot more work obviously done..

Hi, Judy & steamboating colleagues:
Judy's MQ photos are incredible and she got the names right on the grand parade leading up to the launch. The weather that day went down the tubes by the minute from cold rain to later driving sleet and snow. The drive back from Louisville that night was one of the worst experiences I'd had in years. Betty Blake struck a good pose in that long coat and fur hat [She bought it on a business trip to Russia.] The tamborine she was banging on in that photo was handed to me following the big launch. After Betty's untimely death I passed it on to Dorothy Frye, well known artist and close friend of Betty's, for her collection.

No way today with major insurance and liability coverage would they let such a large crowd in a shipyard for a launch with all of the slippery oil spots, raw steel, cables, holes, generators running etc. *Thanks, Judy, for the typo correction. It was the AQ stuck between the bridges here in Cincinnati, spring 1997.

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

Dale is correct that I got the names right.

What ever happened to the DELTA QUEEN'S birthday?? I do believe she is going to be 80 years old this year (I did this incredible math by remembering that we celebrated her 75th birthday in August 2002) 🙂

That date was picked because it was her first trip after the bankruptcy. I'm not really sure when her exact birthday occurs. On May 20, 1927 both of the Delta boats were "dedicated" - On June 2, 1927 she ran her first trip from San Francisco to Sacramento.

Steamboating colleagues:
If you look at Judy's three fine photos of the MQ launch you'll note just to Betty Blake's right three men in hard hats with two in white jump suits. Along the hull of the MQ there were stationed crews with razor sharp Paul Bunyan axes on the ready. When the signal was given the crews in unison whacked down cutting the lines releasing the triggers sending the boat down with a huge SPLASH. It had to be done precisely to avoid either the bow or stern releasing and sliding haphazard or getting hung up. It was some sight to behold and a number of us stood close enough to be nearly under the bow. That's another no, no that wouldn't be allowed today. Capt. Clarke 'Doc' Hawley was also present that day but I don't see him in the photos. Prior to the launching there was a press room rigged up in a nearby structure office where the process of launching was explained with big paper charts done in Magic Marker. One reporter asked, "Now, when they cut the ropes which end will go in the river first?"

The second B/W photo showing Capt. Wagner, Betty and Vick Tooker was taken atop a kind of ceremonial wood launch platform with steps leading up. Bill Muster was there and I recall him at the foot of the platform under an umbrella snapping photos left and right. The drizzle turned to a cold rain with mounting intensity and there was mud and muck underfoot for some spectators. If any JEFFBOAT workers 'rode the hull down' I can't recall now. My slides don't show any personnel on the MQ but that doesn't mean they weren't on the river side. Kenny Howe may know for sure. The big wash when she hit sent waves breaking on the Kentucky shore along with wood cribbing and timbers floating. A tow caught her to push back for securing. In many ways it was reminiscent of other side launchings that had been done at the old Howard Yards in the packet days.

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

Roddy?

Is that Captain Roddy Hammett two folks behind Captain Wagner? Looks tall for Rod, but this chap's hair causes him to favor our dear, departed friend.

Surely does look like Roddy!

That's what I thought too, and there is someone walking next to him, which would be Doc. I didn't know if they were there in attendance since they would have been with the NATCHEZ in NOLA by that time. But if they were indeed present, that would be Capt. Robert James...

Paul,

The video was made by John Fryant who gave us a copy.

Carmen