Topic starter
26/10/2008 2:25 am
Actually Ben Bernstein's SPIRIT OF AMERICA arriving in Covington, Kentucky on 30 November 1989 where it was completed and went into a short service as an outstanding restaurant and head boat for BB Riverboats and other related maritime operations. The SPIRIT was the closest steamboat facsimile that I could imagine, before the AMERICAN QUEEN, as to what the great cotton packets must have been like.
Of special interest are the smokestacks still on-deck with the puddin's and feathers standing upright far over the heads of Ben and Alan's guests who clamored aboard for a first look at such a curiosity.
Thanks to my son, Jess, who edited and uploaded the video tape onto YouTube.
YouTube - Arrival of "Spirit of America"
26/10/2008 10:34 am
Thanks for that, Sam. This beautiful boat, once very authentic-looking, is now at Alton, IL as part of a casino operation, and has been painted a hideous puple and orange, the pilothouse moved forward of the stacks. J.W. Cannon would roll over in his grave.
26/10/2008 4:25 pm
Also on that YouTube link I found a clip of the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE departing from Carrollton in October '06, heading for Tall Stacks. As she starts coming-ahead, she blows one whistle. (then you hear a car horn). Then you can see ..waaaay.. across the river the BARBARA H, and I give the BELLE a Pittsburgh Harbor salute, which she replies to. Here is that link: Belle of Louisville departs Carrollton '06
26/10/2008 7:00 pm
Steve,
I definitely remember that beautiful October morning! I´ve never seen that video but I also remember Jim Herron making it :-).
BTW check this website of the Swiss steamboat magazine. The cover of the current edition must look pretty familiar after watching the video :-). Franz took this photo on the same day of course and I think he was the last one to board. It really nice that they used the yellow of the Belle´s bow area for the title of the magazine. As soon as I get some extra copies I´m gonna send one to the Belle and David Tschiggfrie. Thanks again, David and Jonathan, for helping me out with the historic photos for this article.
Carmen
26/10/2008 10:21 pm
Carmen,
That is an excellent photo! Thanks for sharing the link.
-Steve