Jim Clary

Fire away. What would you like to know? There are people on this board who know every inch of that boat.

American Queen

In one of what I thought was a very recent photo image of the American Queen, there are square metal frame work on her stacks. Are they to remain? What are they for? I am doing a portrayal of the American Queen arriving at Burlington, Iowa and I am looking for CURRENT high resolution images of her.
Also, Will the white dome framework atop the pilot house be permanent?

Dome framework

The dome framework is NOT on the pilothouse in Burlington - it has to be taken off below St. Louis to get under our low bridges. That is only a lower Miss accoutrement. As to the square metal framework on the stacks, I don't see any in the recent pictures in the drydock. Are you referring to the gold basket type things that were on the taller stacks in 1995 and removed when the stacks were shortened to their current height? Here's what she looked like above Muscatine several years ago before m a l slopped the navy blue paint on her.

As the AQ is in the process of being readied for cruising, there may not be any real photos of her latest look, although I'm sure the time will come when everyone will have a camera in their eye and snapping away. (I went to your web site and noticed that you have painted a wide variety of boat subjects, with the possible exception of riverboats.) Judy has pointed out something that you may want to keep in mind, the Upper Miss. look and the Lower Miss. look. That may still be in effect.

You're right, only have done one sternwheeler - THE GRAND which ran on the Grand river in Michigan. And that was an ink drawing. But because I'm interested in all boats,ships, etc. I can't wait to get to the AQ. And because I will be having a show at my birthplace - Burlington, Iowa - this coming June..AND the AQ will be stopping there late in the year - I will be doing a work of her as a centerpiece for that show. Since I am a new member and haven't figured how to upload images, I would be glad to email progress images of my work if you would care to see them. I'll be on the lookout for upper & lower particulars. Much thanks. jc

thanks for the dome info and the 1995 look of the stacks. Because I will be having a show at my birthplace - Burlington, Iowa - this coming June..AND the AQ will be stopping there late in the year - I am doing a work of her as a centerpiece for that show. Since I am a new member and haven't figured how to upload images, I would be glad to email progress images of my work if you would care to see them. IS the AQ in drydock now? I understand she is moored in Memphis. If I knew where she is I could get some shots of her myself.

Jim, she is enroute or is in New Orleans now for her final preparations to start the season April 13. But if you were to go there and get pictures, you would get, as Lexie put it, the Lower Miss profile, not the way she looks up in Burlington. She'll be up here for 6 weeks starting Sept. 15 or so. That cupola will stay on her until she heads up the Ohio for the Derby trip end of April, beginning of May and then I presume it will be put back up for the rest of the lower trips to June... If you do look at recent pictures, be careful, as the awful navy blue paint that she was stuck with her last two seasons is now rightfully gone and she is a gleaming all white again.

Whistle

Thanks again Judy. All good and very useful data. In some photos, I see she has a triple bell whistle. Where exactly is that whistle located? - Don't see it on or near the stacks.