MQ spirit lives

Thank you!

Having sailed on the MQ in the 90's, I still miss her. I wish you could have saved the whole boat, but it is too late to think about it. We should be happy that the AQ is coming up the Old Miss today. In reading a Natchez Democrat Newspaper today the town is very excited about the visits of overnight steamboats, again.

Update on mermaids

Another quick update on the mermaids. They are now mostly stripped of 8-10 different colors and coats of paint. The fiberglass bodies have a lot of cracks that are being repaired. We will also have to replace a fair amount of the steel that is inside that offers strength to them and is using as a means to mount them to something. They should be in primer next week and will hopefully be on display, although not painted in time for the Great Steamboat Race.

George,

That gray color is pretty close to their natural color as built. You have more time than you think, as the race isn't until the 2nd of May this year.

Travis

mermaids

You are correct about the natural color of gray.

Also correct about the date of the Great race being May 2, my mistake as I was off one week and thanks for catching that.

My body man will be especially happy that he has another week too.

How about painting them au naturel. That would attract a lot of attention, especially if they are facing the river.

mermaids

I am certainly open to suggestions as this decision has not been made.

I assume you mean paint them as nudes?

With so many different looks over the years we are at a loss as to how to outfit them. Any other ideas out there?

They are tastefully done and quite realistic, as far as being a mermaid goes, and I would use a greenish hued flesh color on the body and fish colors on the tails, maybe 2 different species of fish. Hair color different on each. Faces with a little touch of makeup. They would be beautiful. You want me to come and do it?

George Burch;29543 wrote: You are correct about the natural color of gray.

That is not correct, nor were they ever grey. At one time they were a washed out green that might of looked greyish. When the MQ came out in 1976 the two mermaids and their pilot's wheel were a very dark glossy brown to appear as if they were bronze. There were some gold highlights too.

Well, if you're going to "Hot Rod" them, I'd go with the greenish flesh tone on the "naked" parts, golden hair, and then a green-gold metal-flake on the scale part to resemble real fish scales--something with iridescence--maybe a silver-white iridescence finish!
Stock color would, I'll bet be a copper-bronze look.
Now what about the wheel they used to hold? any chance of replicating that?
S'
David D.

Yeah, Lexie, I'd vote for you to do it! Cap'n Walnut.

Mermaids and wheel

My goal would be to paint them with something that would please most folks in this group. I also want to come up with a paint scheme that best represents the history of the boat and the mermaids. The problem for me is that I don't have a good feel for what that is. I have located a number of different paint schemes that were used over the years but don't know which is best.

I realize that there will never be consensus and that there were several different paint schemes used over the years.

I would be honored if Lexie were available to provide the painting or at least serve as a consultant.

As for the wheel, I have had no luck in finding the old wheel.

Once the mermaids are ready to move again and can be properly set up, I intend to take some measurements for a replacement wheel.

From my best guess, the old wheel appears to have been about 48 inches in diameter. If that is the case there are a number of options for wood wheels on the internet in that size range.

I would prefer a different option over wood because of the maintenance required. If anyone has other ideas or if anyone knows the size of the old wheel please advise.

Mermaids update

Most of the "body work" has now been completed and this is what they look like as of last Friday April 20, in light gray primer. Sorry for the rope used to hold them in place while being worked on, but no good way to do so otherwise.

Still lots of structural repairs to do and need to construct steel platforms for them to sit on and to be used to bolt them down.

The short term plan though is for them to "oversee" the Steamboat Race from the IN shoreline on May 2 in as-is condition, and then go back to the shop for final repairs and finish paint.

Pasty, to say the least

They look like they could use a little make-up and a tanning bed. That would improve their outlook, which is a little on the "poor me" side. Accessorize with Mardi Gras beads. Nothing like accessories to brighten up your day.

If you could find an appropriate-sized wheel and borrow it to make a mold, then you could form a new wheel out of fiberglass. The maintenance would then be the same as for the mermaids.
Just an Idea! (you make the mold out of latex, no damage to the borrowed wheel).
S'
David D.

MQ Memorabilia

George, thank you for coming by the museum yesterday. It was good to meet you and I enjoyed hearing your plans for the MQ mermaids and nameboard. Look forward to seeing you again soon!

Mermaids are out for a while

For those interested, we placed the mermaids on temporary display Saturday evening. They will remain there through the week (and boat race) and then return to the shop for final repairs and paint. They will eventually end up paired together as they once were for their first 35+ years with a ships wheel in between.

They are difficult to stand up on their own so that is why they are tied to the columns for now. The last pic is of Lucy standing guard.

I just want to thank you for getting your display of the mermaids and nameboard from the MQ ready in time for the Race!! I talked to a lot of passengers on the AQ who told me about how much they loved the MQ -- and some didn't know we were delivering the bell from the MQ to the Howard Museum on that AQ trip, or that you would have the mermaids on display. I had a nice time telling them all about these two special things related to the MQ that were happening on that trip. I knew Travis would announce when we went by your house and of course, he did. So we could get pictures. I know that those who loved that boat were so happy to see your display during the Race, and also the moving of the bell from the AQ deck to a barge on the way to eventually being displayed at the Howard.

Being back on the AQ was wonderful for me, and these remembrances of the MQ added to the joy of the trip.

MQ memories

You are very welcome Pat and I want to thank Travis for making you folks aware.

We plan on having a more permanent display completed later this summer, hopefully in time for the AQ's return visit to Louisville in July. I will be sure and post some pictures as soon as they are ready.

If anyone got pictures of the race it would be nice to see them posted.

a few more pictures

Here are a few more pictures that were sent to me today from the gentleman that ended up with this mermaid. His friend down the road had the other one along with the pilothouse sign that we brought home. Eventually the three of us agreed on a deal to sell/purchase and reunite them in one location.

This was the condition we found them in when picked in in Pierre Part, LA a couple of days before Christmas 2011.

MQ Mermaids

Most of the progress has been noted on the MQ facebook page and steamboats.com. I am happy to report that the mermaids are done and will return home on the Ohio by Friday 10-5-12. The pilothouse sign board completion is close behind. It has taken longer than we had hoped but I am very happy with the outcome. The mermaids will remain out for a few weeks and then go inside for safe winter keeping. They should be out in time for the 2013 Great Steamboat Race and then set in their semi permanent home.

1. First pic of Kim and Sandy, as we now refer to them.
2. Kim by herself
3. Sandy

Yes, there is more to the story, but at least for now we can call them by their names.

Wow, they look amazing!!! Great work on the refurbishing 🙂

Kim & Sandy

The Girls are simply beautiful in their new attire and colors, you have done a wonderful job. I have been following along and just reading all these months, wishing everyone on the AQ well, as a former crew member, I am thrilled to see the AQ back on the water.
I will just keep saving my pennies, my Mother in Law is itching to go to Oak Alley & Nottoway, I keep telling her, maybe next year:).

Best wishes

Kim Applegate

George and Kim live on the river, just a stone's throw from the Howard Steamboat Museum. We look forward to George's visits with updates on "the girls". Thanks, too, George, for your support of the museum. We appreciate it very much!

George: Great work! Saw them from the river Sat. Got pix but boat was rocking in the wake of another boat and not sharp. What were the names the MQ crew gave them??
Cap'n Walnut