Neat sternwheel steamer on eBay

I also have a print of the bonnet picture. So which one of you "buffs" or "buffettes" took it? And I'm pretty sure he had something to say about our infatuation with the Natchez, et al........

I recorded his pilot house tour and maybe some other conversations, in a clandestine manner. If those old pilots knew there was a tape recorder going, they would make up all sorts of stuff or just clam up. "Go out there on the bridge where Ladybird Johnson was..." "Hold on to the brass rail." No one gave a better pilot house tour. "Now pull down on this and blow the whistle until I goose you." (That really got 'em going.)

Sage Advice

And there was the time when I saw a certain towboat shoving just one barge, and I commented to Cap'n Rip, "There goes an 'easy-money' job."

Expecting a agreement from that venerable sage Master, instead, he gave me a statement of his wisdom that I still often recall at various appropriate times:

"Son," he said in his wonderfull Southern drawl, "You gotta walk a mile in a man's shoes before you know what his troubles are."

Do they still make men like him?

Steamboat Whistle Blues

In my recent research about steamboats and my father, Captain C. S. “Rip” Ware, I have found on-line lyrics to Steamboat Whistle Blues that referred to Captain Way and not Captain Ware.

John Hartford sent the album “Aereo Plain” that has the song Steamboat Whistle Blues to my father. I have that album. Unfortunately, the album did not have the written lyrics to any songs. John did not sign that album, but he did send a hat with the album (that I also possess) with this hand writing inside the hat:

For Captain Rip Ware
Thanks for Many Good
Trips
John Hartford
April, 25, 1979

So, other than the way the song sounds to me and others, that is all the evidence that I have that John was referring to Captain Ware in the song.

While I am very new to this forum, I have known about Captain Way for a very long time. Given that Captain Way is so widely known and esteemed; John may have been referring to him and not my father in Steamboat Whistle Blues.

I do hope that this posting is not too trivial or personal for this forum, but if anyone has any evidence about who John Hartford was referring to in the Steamboat Whistle Blues, then I would like to know about that evidence.

As stated by MANY on this forum, Capt. Ware was very special to MANY of us who were "kids" on the DELTA QUEEN in various capacities back in the 1970's. I treasured every moment with Capt. Rip and often think of him. One of my favorite sayings of his is, "When your work's your pleasure it ain't hard!" A long and two shorts of the whistle to Cap and Miss Cleo upon that shining river where they now reside.

Herewith a photo of Capt. Ware in the pilothouse of the DELTA QUEEN. Make up your own dialogue!

Capt. Rip Ware

Here is my favorite photo of Capt. Rip Ware, which I took on the DQ in 1982.
And Glenn, that newspaper article you mentioned that both your daddy and I were in... it was in the LaCrosse Tribune by Pat Moore the week before the Carter trip. She sought both of us out, because she knew we'd both give her the straight scoop... no beating around the bush from us. I remember we both got a chuckle the next day when a copy of that paper made it onto the boat, and there we both were, on the front page.

Pathe Newsreels of the Guildford Belle websites

I have been very fortunate in finding out information about the Guildford Belle. There are two articles with pictures of the Guildford Belle in Steamboats and Modern Steam Launches by Bill Durham published by Boat House. This book also had an advertisement for selling of the Guildford Belle and another reference in an article where she was seen on the Thames River at Thames Lock, Shepperton.

I am very happy to report that the Pathe Newsreels of the Guildford Belle are available.
Two "preview" newsreels of the Guildford Belle may be seen at the below websites:

British Pathe - (PADDLE HOUSEBOAT)

British Pathe - RIVER LIFE

Given how little I knew about steam launches before buying the Guildford Belle, I have found a lot of information on line to begin my education of steam launches. I have learned that I still don’t know much.

I did receive some very good advice that I will follow. Take care of the wood first.

Glenn

steering

I've never seen a boat steered like that, standing and reaching behind to turn the wheel...

Steering behind the back

There are two steering wheels on the Guildford Belle. A steering wheel is inside the cabin and the steering wheel shown in the film is on the outside.

I thought that the steering from behind the back looked very uncomfortable and awkward.

If I do not sell the Guildford Belle to a person or a group that has the skills to ensure that her restoration is properly finished, I have considered putting a new roof on the boat that would raise the roof about a foot so that my 6’5” body could stand up straight anywhere on the boat with space to spare. If I were to do that, then I would also consider putting solar panels on the roof to help extent the distance that she may run on her electric motor.
I note that the roof appears to still be in very good condition.

After finding out about the sale of the Guildford Belle on eBay, I had less than two hours to bid on her before the end of the bidding. I did talk with the owner prior to making my bid. He told me that he thought he could get at least $15,000 (the price I paid for her) if he sold the boat in parts. Given my cursory on-line investigation of the costs to buy boilers and steam engines, if they are working or repairable, I agree with the former owner’s assessment, especially with adding all the brass including the brass search light and brash railing posts that are not shown in the film. PARTING OUT THE GUILDFORD BELLE IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME. I believe that her historical value and condition would not warrant such a drastic action. Like the former owner, I too dearly want to see the Guildford Belle on water running on steam.

Glenn: What are the hurdles to get over to get her to run on steam? I wondered if the boat in Modern Steam Launches was yours. Mitchell was a force in the trade while he lived and his influence is still felt. Cap'n Walnut.

Hurdles

Cap'n Walnut,
My most optimistic view of hurdles is that I don't know of anything about the condition of the Guildford Belle that would prevent a competent person from running the steam engine now. However, the boiler has not been tested to see if it is safe and functional. I have not found any damage or deteriation of the hull that would lead me to believe that she would not float on water. So, in short, from my viewpoint, my highest hurdles are my lack of competence in assessing what needs to be repaired, how to make those repairs, and how to operate the boat. Other than those hurdles and the ones that I don't know about, things are looking very positive for the Guildford Belle.

Glenn

Glenn: Sounds like your first order of business is to put a "squeeze" on the boiler as we used to call it. Gag or remove and blank the safety valve opening in the boiler and pump water into the boiler until the pressure equals one-and-a-half times the safety valve pressure and try to hold it for five minutes. A pin-hole leak in any piping (often the sight glass) will allow pressure to bleed off slowly. Make sure that the boiler is totally FULL of water (no air space) and there will be no danger of the failure of any part harming anything that can be wet (no explosion or sudden massive failure). Pressure for the test can usually be generated by the manual (hand) feed pump if you have one. Then, if she passes the test, restore the safety valve, drain the water down to her working level, you can fire her up and try to run the engine with the boat on dry land. First making sure that you can add water to the boiler on land and make sure that there is a damper to shut down the air to the firebox if using solid fuel and open the cylinder cocks to warm the engine. The engine alone can be tested on air and run out of the water but either on steam or on air, be careful to only crack the throttle so as not to have the engine run-away under the no-load conditions and destroy itself...being careful to bleed off any water that might cause hydraulic lock and a blown head. These are somewhat routine events that can be done by anyone with experience or by anyone under supervision. Then, if she will float...This is NOT rocket science but there are pitfalls for the unwary. Cap'n Walnut.

Glenn, Cap'n Walnut knows whereof he speaks. My suggestion to you (from someone who knows really nothing about this either) would be to seek out someone in your area with general boiler experience to help you. I would bet that if you looked in the Yellow Pages under "Boilers" you could find someone who has a wealth of experience with boilers in general and they would likely be flattered to be consulted. Likely someone would help you do just what Tom has suggested (gratis), on some Saturday, just to be able to see your boat and be close to the novelty of the thing. Good luck!

Glen I'm a bit late in posting this as I dont get in here as much as some folks do but I am honored to tell you how much I enjoyed working with your father during my 8 years as a deckhand, watchman and Mate on the MQ and DQ. I probably worked with him more than any other pilot in the company as I seem to have more memories and stories of him than I do of any others. I posted a few pictures of him on here and even had a list of Capt. Rip Ware Euphimisms. We spent many a long nite in the Pilot house together and he would say some of the funniest things I ever heard. I actually have him in a picture frame with some other pilots on my wall. Sooner or later we all return to our roots and what we loved. I wish you well in steamboating and hope everything works out for you.

While just now reading the posts on this thread I saw where Lexie talked about taping Capt. Ware in a clendestine manner and one time he heard about me doing that and noticed one day that I had a tape recorder with me when I came on watch and asked if he was on the tape when I told him yes, he asked to see it and proceeded to walk out on the Bridgewing and toss it into the river and very sternly advised me not to do that again. Just one of my many memories.

"When you works your pleasure, visibilitys good, and ya love everybody man there aint nuthin bettah".

Our new boiler, alone, cost $10,000 and the machinery ran about $5,000, and I consider that a good deal. There is some rather curious machinery on that boat, but it does move along rather nicely. I thought I spotted another steering wheel near the boiler. Is that still there? That's the way my Willie was set up so one person could steer and fire the boiler at the same time. It was a fore and aft wheel, but you get used to it.

Oh, and by the way, ole chap, is the little wifey going to occasionally bring you the obligatory cup of tea, and perhaps man the helm while you observe tea time in the appropriate fashion, as you steam merrily along? Oh, I say, rathuh!

That is a really cute boat. All you need is a crew of little Oompa Loompas. Then you could just sit down and not worry about the overhead, whilst they and the little wifey wait on you hand and foot. As you wave to the poor folks on shore. The queenly wave of course. Oh, my!

Glen: Bob's note triggered my thinking that there might be a member of the NA Steamboat Association near you. Give me your address, and I will try to locate someone near you. Bob is correct that most of us would do the work gratis just to see the boat but there are parts of Texas that aren't in anybody's back yard...let alone mine! Cap'n Walnut.

Cheek Ki Ya

Greetings Mel,

I enjoyed the story about the tape recording, but I would have loved to have heard what was recorded. Since you spent a lot of time around Capt. Rip, you are bound to have heard him say the following:

Cheek Ki Ya
(which is sometimes followed by)
Fo Ca Soma Ti Ya
Me We No Savvy

(this was sometimes extended to what I guess are two common river poems that he modified)

Rise and shine
for the Pure Oil Line
I call one
I call two
I call the Captain
and the whole crew

The work's not hard
The Captain's not mean
The Cook's not dirty
But she just ain't clean

Mostly at home, we heard "Cheek Ki Ya!!" as an expression of exclamation like when the thunder boomed or when he heard the lawnmower hit a rock that should have been picked up. I regret that I never asked him if "Cheek Ki Ya" and "Fo Ca Soma Ti Ya" meant anything or where he got those expressions. This is the first time that I ever tried to spell those expressions, but I suspect that it is unlikely that there is any proper spelling of those sounds (words?)

Glenn

Thanks for that, Glenn. I heard the "Cheek Ki Ya" one time -- reading it now, I suspect it is some Cajun language or variation thereof.

If I have heard the "Rise and Shine", once, I heard it a thousand times.

For those who don't know, the nickname "Rip" came from Capt. Ware's mentor, Capt. Leto Lopez Lanius, a man Capt. Ware "loved next to a Daddy". Capt. Lanius suffered from terrible headaches. Due to excessive heat in the bunkroom, C. S. Ware would try to sleep in the pilothouse of the old sternwheel diesel towboat that Capt. Lanius was Captain of, running the Red and Ouachita Rivers. Capt.. Lanius would say to Ware, "Rip Van Winkle, slept 20 years, gunstock rotted. Get up from there and come steer; my old head's killin' me!"

Hey Glenn,
Send me round-trip airfare and give me room & Board, I'll come down for a week and help you squeeze that boiler and get 'er right! I'm only out in N. California! 🙂
It really shouldn't take too much to get her runnin' if things are in good order--or close to it! I 'spect there are folks near you that can help out.
S'
David Dewey
Former owner S. L. Mikahala & owner of the remains of S. L. Sindbad.

Glenn: I have located a fellow member of the North American Steamboat Association in Kingwood, TX. This should be fairly close to Spring, TX. These members are mostly but not all, owners/operators/builders of steam launches. I do not know the gentleman nor do I know if he has the expertise you need, but I cannot believe that he would or could not give you some information or at least point you in the right direction. Contact me if you want info re contacting him...you can e-mail me at [email protected] Cap'n Walnut. ps: I'd love to see you up and running next summer when I come through Texas on the way to a shoot in New Mexico.

I am in the process of notifying nearby people who would love to get involved. If Glenn hasn't heard from them, it will only be a matter of time before he does. They may have a steamboat meet in October which would be a good way to meet people. And Glenn, when you feel real brave, back that boat into the lake, keeping it on the trailer, but get the hull wet and see how much water it takes on. And/Or, place a hose in it where it is now and run water in it continuously until, hopefully, it stops leaking. This may take a few days, but it will let you know if you need to do some hull work. And, wooden boat nuts look the other way, if your hull is really questionable, fiberglass it.

LOL Glen yep I always wondered what that meant. Once in a while he'd bellow out with "Quarter less thyreeee!" in the middle of the nite. And then there were always the lectures to the new watchmen and pilot house porters. "Son how much you usually pay for a hair cut?" or Whats for breakfast? Eggs Cap. Well I'm having oatmeal. "the Port Cap'n tells the Cap'n, the Cap'n tells the mate, the mate tells the headdeckhand, the headdeckhand tells the deckhands and then y"all sit on your butts(although he had another word for it). "look I dont care if ya get mad cause I'm just trying to help ya". And dont let nobody git nuthin on ya cause they'll sure use it against you. Make that Capn proud. and always say Cap'n I was just fixin to do that. Ahhhhh the Blessed light o' day. He was one of those people that you never forget. He was as honest and down to earth as a man can possibly be.

Enjoying the sweet and avoiding the bitter

The questions and information from this group are largely responsible for me starting to really enjoy owning the Guildford Belle.

My friends and I moved the GB from my next door neighbor’s place to our place where we have been studying her wood structure. None of us are experienced with boilers/steam engines, so we will focus on the wood and anything else that we can do.

I will start studying Steam Yachts, Trawlers & Launches by Thomas Reed & Co., Publishers, 1904 when it gets here and still see what I can find out on the web. I will join some, if not all, of the steamboat/ launch groups which I was so delighter to find. Prior to buying the GB, I had no idea of the extent of steamboat/launch associations or the number of people involved with steam power in launches, tractors, and fire pumps.

Note to Lexie: The inside steering wheel is still there.

“Walk trot like a polo horse.” I don’t know if folks on the river heard this much, but my brothers and I sure did.

Glenn

Glenn: I became interested in having a steam launch in 2000, when I retired. I would have given anything reasonable to get info about them. There were NO steam launches in the Greater Cincinnati area that I knew of but learned of Pat Spurlock of Elliott Bay and the book he sells: Steamboats and Modern Steam Launches which you evidently have seen or have. He also sells a book by Dick Mitchell who I believe, is the man who built your GUILDFORD BELLE. It contains a mine of useful, if somewhat dated, info including an article about your GUILDFORD BELLE. I bought MISSIE (ex MICKTOO...see David Dewey post this thread) in 2001 but never saw another steam launch until July of last year! My friend Joe Hepsworth, who sold me MISSIE, said that it is hard to find some body dumb enough to buy a steamboat...it defies all logic...but if you want to meet some very nice (dumb? I don't think so!) people, campaign a steamer on local waters. There are also some VERY nice people on this board when they don't get in a twitch about getting a magazine on time! Or politicians getting in the way of putting our beloved DELTA QUEEN back in overnight service! You might consider joining the North American Steamboat Association and attending one of the steamer meets held throughout the season. As for being foolish to own a steamer...you can smell the roses (not to mention gather more new friends) a whole lot better (and faster) at five miles per hour or less than at fifty! And, if you ever get in this vicinity, I'll be glad to give you the benefit of what little I've learned about steam launches...together with a tour of the Rabbit Hash Shipyard and Marina...not to mention a ride in MISS DEMEANOR and/or MISS FORTUNE! Cap'n Walnut.