New TV Series To Bring Abandoned Boat Back to Life.

That is one uuuugly riverboat! 🙂

Just the way I like em.

But ooooh I can't wait to see the program.
Be sure to let us know if n' when it airs!

Boomtown Belle

Can't call it a real riverboat - it was a casino on the Harvey Canal, whose cruising career might have been a month or two. It was infamous for it's captain's excuse for not cruising at night: "It's dark out there." I think when she went out, it was only a few hundred yards. Louisiana caved in faster than any other state to the gambling companies to allow dockside.

As to the idea of restoring a boat, great, but to say it has to hold 1000 or more passengers basically limits it to one of the ugly discarded casino boats, which as I said, weren't much as boats. Too bad you won't go for a smaller vessel, such as the CASINO ROCK ISLAND, which is fleeted on the Illinois River just above Peoria, at Hamms Holiday Harbor Marina, mile 178.6, still owned by Jumers I believe. She has beautiful lines of a boat and an operating paddlewheel, but I believe her capacity was about 600. She would be a gem operating on the rivers again.

Andrew,
Well, you'll need to define what you consider a "Riverboat"--does it have to use a paddle wheel, or can it be a prop boat? Does it require steam power? the 1K passenger requirement would limit you to day boats, not overnight boats, as they were usually in the low 100s, 300 would be a BIG Boat (and I can't think of any survivors offhand).
You stated, " Crew needs to not only know how to restore the boats but also have a lot of personality." Well, uh, most folks would claim there are far too many "colorful personalities" amongst the riverboaters! 🙂
I can think of ONE great boat that would give both your series and boat great coverage--our beloved Delta Queen. A documentation of bringing her back would be very interesting, and her international reputation would give your series great appeal. But then, what do I know?
Steamcerely,
David Dewey
PS there's also two remaining Showboats that could really use a "shot in the arm" to bring them back--there's an interesting history story to tell.

*Questions/Issues/Expenses to consider*
Steamboating colleagues,
Dear Andrew Jacobs, I read with interest, considered, pondered your TV plan to "Bring an abandoned boat back to life." With all do respect, I hope you don't take questions and points of view as objections. Judy Patsch, David Dewey, Ron Anderson make good points. Nobody knows boats like Judy with her study along with being a veteran crew member on the Str. NATCHEZ. Both have experience on the DELTA QUEEN and other boats to their credit. David also has wide experience and views well worth considering. Yet, Andrew, your plan is still a bit foggy in my mind to the point it sends up a red flag. Beyond presenting such a production do you know what you are getting yourself involved in? You made no mention, so far, of your locale or region. What purpose beyond this do you have? Restoring ANY vessle can be a daunting task to say the least. What happens to any said boat following that? Who gets what and who profits--if at all. What is the size of your TV viewing audience? Are you a major U.S. city or a smaller town?

You made no mention of your TV station. I'm asking what national affiliate do you have with any of the major networks? Who is your producer and what budget is provded?
1. Do you have a certified marine surveyor on call?
2. What, if any, legal or financial cases or leans may be on record against the boat you picture?
3. What involvement would our Coat Guard have in examining, approving any such plan?
4. Are you thinking you can accomplish such a plan relying just on volunteers or others?
5. What condition is the boat's superstructure, engines, piping, wiring, fire protection systems?
6. Where would this work be done and what costs are incurred at a landing, wharf or possible yard during this program?
7. Who provides the over sight an management?
8. Would you have on hand a licensed master or mate to lead the project?
9. Who provides the tools, equipment, paint, materials, possible equipment replacement?
10. Are you prior considering any fund raising and who does that?
11. What would any use or marketing scheme be for said boat if even finished?
12. With any 'volunteers' you have to consider their free time.
13. With any 'volunteers' taking risk doing that work would you or your producer have insurance coverage for them and the boat itself?
14. Would you have in time security or a night watchman?
15. What link to shore electricity or working generators aboard do you have for power during this work?
16. Would you, or your network, have on call a lawyer [Admiralty Law] or in business law to handle questions, legal matters, control of any funds?
17. Would this project require filing for an IRS 501(c) 3 status and who does that?

I would suggest that you and your TV--or any network--consider the work now underway with the DELTA QUEEN docked at Houma. Read these discussion threads for links to work on the GOLDENROD SHOWBOAT or the Str. JULIA BELLE SWAIN. These vessels are already waiting for help and your coverage. Any interests, financial help, media coverage on these needy vessels would be highy appreciated. Go for what is already there and waiting. I daresay your producer, camera crew, reporter will be waiting a long time with cameras and microphones in hand to catch any real 'action' with "personalities." Nationally there have been other big boat/ship restoration projects already caught on film from beginning to end. The EPPLETON HALL steamer project in Great Britain has also been covered in detail. Do keep us posted. I could go on and on but will stop at this point. Just food for thought. Again, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

More on the idea

Gee, Dale, off the top of your head can you think of any problems with this idea? 😉 Yes it sounds like a nice idea, but then when you get into the logistics.... I have to think back to that Big Movers or whatever it was called that filmed the cutting up and hauling of the pieces of the PRESIDENT to St. Elmo. That show ended triumphantly with the movers meeting their deadline, and the narrative was that the pieces would now be put back together into a hotel. Well, we all know what didn't happen...and the pieces are still there, mostly we think, covered in dirt, rusting away into nothing. Another thought about restoring the BOOMTOWN BELLE, or any gambling boat other than the CASINO ROCK ISLAND: they were built as casinos, not boats, and as such they have no windows, for example. You'd have to cut out sections of bulkheads for those, and make other changes in order to make it into a real boat. David said what I was thinking, the DQ is the perfect boat for such a production as far as name recognition, importance. But obviously she doesn't meet the 1000 pax standard, and most importantly any work on her to put her back into service is going to have to be done with the utmost care and precision, not with just 'weekend warrior' volunteers as this show appears to have. Now as far as restoring her to a hotel status, maybe there is potential. Obviously I think the CRI would be a good fit for the show, but probably the most significant abandoned boat worthy of help is the GOLDENROD, but sadly she doesn't fit the show's concept of a large passenger vessel...

Tv show re riverboats

I agree with Judy and will be talking to Mark Dalbis of Atlas Media in Burbank their West Coast Dept later today an will pass the thoughts along on this.Perhaps they could change their 1000 limit an run the documentary on our beloved Delta Queen?Carole Matthews Pompano Beach Just a brief side note American Queen is coming out with one I think it is July 2015 an will try to find out more about it.I think a Delta Queen show would be far more interesting than an old abandoned riverboat.Carole in Pompano Beach Fla

Talking to office people

Carole, if you reach that person, please do not paraphrase my postings or use my name. Please refer him to this site to read my postings firsthand. Thanks.

Talking to office people

Judy Mark is their casting director.I will not use your name an refer them to the postings.No problem Thanks Carole M Pompano Beach Fla

I couldn't even begin to fathom why watching an ugly discarded gambling boat on TV be resurrected into another life as what, a gaming boat once gain or an oversized excursion boat, would be of any interest to the viewing public. I seriously doubt that the production company will be successful in finding such a boat that is scheduled to be overhauled. I also doubt that the production company wishes to spend the millions of dollars needed to bankroll such a questionable project any how.

The GOLDENROD would be of historical interest and certainly worthwhile, but the owners don't appear to have all of the necessary funds yet to revive the aging showboat. The CASINO ROCK ISLAND certainly is a lovely boat, but her current owners wish to sell her not rehab her. The JULIA BELLE SWAIN would make a nice choice for documenting the work that is being done to bring a laid up steamboat back into service, but perhaps she is too far along in her restoration to be of use. Although I'm sure there is recent video of the work that has been done over the past year that could be used to tell the early part of the story.

The DELTA QUEEN, in my humble opinion, would be the logical choice. Her owners are media savvy, and would probably welcome such exposure. She is a one of a kind piece of Americana with an incredible history. She already has much name recognition. Capt. Mike Williams is an excellent spokes person, and he exudes love of the vessel. The owners of the DQ have a financial plan as well as a business plan in place with an eye towards the future. There is political intrigue with the vessel, so that would be of interest to the potential audience. The publicity would more than likely not hurt the DQ's chances in Washington either. And I'm sure there are other reasons why the DELTA QUEEN story would give these Hollywood producers more bang for their bucks.

Oh, and, Carole, if you talk to any of those Hollywood types again feel free to mention my name! And just what is the AQ coming out with in July?

TV SHOW abandoned riverboat

Frank I will mention your name if it comes up an as far as the AQ in July my friend Shannon Rouse a former guest relations employee on the AQ said they have told her about the documentary an asked if she might be on it. She said it has not been filmed yet an she will get back to me when she has more information. She lives in Memphis where the AQ is based.Nice lady.Thats all I know except they said they are shooting for a July air date. When I have more information I will of course post it.When I talk to the casting director from Atlas Mark Dalbis I will indicate the general consensus of the steamboat.org posters they should be putting the iconic 88 year old National Treasure on the documentary instead of an old abandonded riverboat.PS Keith they are trying to reach you for your comments. Carole Pompano Beach Florida

Looking East

At the risk of offending my dot org pals I would also suggest one of the Bob-Lo day boats that ran in Detroit. Both are current in states of preservation/storage/arrested decay. I recall COLUMBIA is in Toledo and STE CLAIRE may be in Detroit. They are propeller vessels and not overnight boats.

We now return our normal focus to the Western Rivers.

Wesley

Hi Judy - i'm sure we'd consider a smaller riverboat under the right circumstances. But in this case - the bigger the better. This needs to be a BIG undertaking. That's one of the elements that will make this TV worthy!

Judy Patsch;34603 wrote: Can't call it a real riverboat - it was a casino on the Harvey Canal, whose cruising career might have been a month or two. It was infamous for it's captain's excuse for not cruising at night: "It's dark out there." I think when she went out, it was only a few hundred yards. Louisiana caved in faster than any other state to the gambling companies to allow dockside.

As to the idea of restoring a boat, great, but to say it has to hold 1000 or more passengers basically limits it to one of the ugly discarded casino boats, which as I said, weren't much as boats. Too bad you won't go for a smaller vessel, such as the CASINO ROCK ISLAND, which is fleeted on the Illinois River just above Peoria, at Hamms Holiday Harbor Marina, mile 178.6, still owned by Jumers I believe. She has beautiful lines of a boat and an operating paddlewheel, but I believe her capacity was about 600. She would be a gem operating on the rivers again.

Hi Dale -

That's a lot of questions! Let me see what answers i can provide.

As a TV production company - we already produce shows for History, Discovery, Travel, Nat Geo and more. We've been producing documentaries and documentary series for over 25 years. We've worked with local, state and the federal goverment. We've partnered with NASA, The Secret Service, the U.S. Military and the NYPD. We may not know exactly what we're getting into - but it's our job to figure that out.

This project is currently in the development stages. That means there is no network attached. Networks rarely develop their own programming. They buy it from companies like ours - who come up with ideas, concepts, etc and create the show. So that is what we are currently doing - creating the show.

Who gets the boat after it's restored? Whoever pays for the restoration (or otherwise owns the boat) will probably make that decision.

We don't a Marine Surveyor at this point. But we don't have a boat either. So no problem there.

We are already talking to the Coast Guard.

Volunteers are welcome. But we will be looking to professionals to do the restoration.

Your next several questions depend on the boat... Too soon to answer. Some of the questions after that i would defer to the company doing the restoration.

As a production company - we always have lawyers to make sure we are within the bounds of the law. The networks have plenty of lawyers of their own.

We are talking to one of the owners of the Delta Queen later today. It's unlikely we would end up doing this project about the DQ for a variety of reasons. But the primary reason is that the DQ restoration is already underway and it's still in pretty good condition. For this project we want to START the restoration. We want to see it from beginning to end and have it be a HUGE undertaking.

R. Dale Flick;34605 wrote: *Questions/Issues/Expenses to consider*
Steamboating colleagues,
Dear Andrew Jacobs, I read with interest, considered, pondered your TV plan to "Bring an abandoned boat back to life." With all do respect, I hope you don't take questions and points of view as objections. Judy Patsch, David Dewey, Ron Anderson make good points. Nobody knows boats like Judy with her study along with being a veteran crew member on the Str. NATCHEZ. Both have experience on the DELTA QUEEN and other boats to their credit. David also has wide experience and views well worth considering. Yet, Andrew, your plan is still a bit foggy in my mind to the point it sends up a red flag. Beyond presenting such a production do you know what you are getting yourself involved in? You made no mention, so far, of your locale or region. What purpose beyond this do you have? Restoring ANY vessle can be a daunting task to say the least. What happens to any said boat following that? Who gets what and who profits--if at all. What is the size of your TV viewing audience? Are you a major U.S. city or a smaller town?

You made no mention of your TV station. I'm asking what national affiliate do you have with any of the major networks? Who is your producer and what budget is provded?
1. Do you have a certified marine surveyor on call?
2. What, if any, legal or financial cases or leans may be on record against the boat you picture?
3. What involvement would our Coat Guard have in examining, approving any such plan?
4. Are you thinking you can accomplish such a plan relying just on volunteers or others?
5. What condition is the boat's superstructure, engines, piping, wiring, fire protection systems?
6. Where would this work be done and what costs are incurred at a landing, wharf or possible yard during this program?
7. Who provides the over sight an management?
8. Would you have on hand a licensed master or mate to lead the project?
9. Who provides the tools, equipment, paint, materials, possible equipment replacement?
10. Are you prior considering any fund raising and who does that?
11. What would any use or marketing scheme be for said boat if even finished?
12. With any 'volunteers' you have to consider their free time.
13. With any 'volunteers' taking risk doing that work would you or your producer have insurance coverage for them and the boat itself?
14. Would you have in time security or a night watchman?
15. What link to shore electricity or working generators aboard do you have for power during this work?
16. Would you, or your network, have on call a lawyer [Admiralty Law] or in business law to handle questions, legal matters, control of any funds?
17. Would this project require filing for an IRS 501(c) 3 status and who does that?

I would suggest that you and your TV--or any network--consider the work now underway with the DELTA QUEEN docked at Houma. Read these discussion threads for links to work on the GOLDENROD SHOWBOAT or the Str. JULIA BELLE SWAIN. These vessels are already waiting for help and your coverage. Any interests, financial help, media coverage on these needy vessels would be highy appreciated. Go for what is already there and waiting. I daresay your producer, camera crew, reporter will be waiting a long time with cameras and microphones in hand to catch any real 'action' with "personalities." Nationally there have been other big boat/ship restoration projects already caught on film from beginning to end. The EPPLETON HALL steamer project in Great Britain has also been covered in detail. Do keep us posted. I could go on and on but will stop at this point. Just food for thought. Again, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

Hi Frank!

Thanks for your input. We are looking at the Goldenrod. And we are talking to one of the owners of the DQ today. It's a longshot as the DQ is already well along in it's restoration process. For this project, we need to start from square one!

Frank X. Prudent;34610 wrote: I couldn't even begin to fathom why watching an ugly discarded gambling boat on TV be resurrected into another life as what, a gaming boat once gain or an oversized excursion boat, would be of any interest to the viewing public. I seriously doubt that the production company will be successful in finding such a boat that is scheduled to be overhauled. I also doubt that the production company wishes to spend the millions of dollars needed to bankroll such a questionable project any how.

The GOLDENROD would be of historical interest and certainly worthwhile, but the owners don't appear to have all of the necessary funds yet to revive the aging showboat. The CASINO ROCK ISLAND certainly is a lovely boat, but her current owners wish to sell her not rehab her. The JULIA BELLE SWAIN would make a nice choice for documenting the work that is being done to bring a laid up steamboat back into service, but perhaps she is too far along in her restoration to be of use. Although I'm sure there is recent video of the work that has been done over the past year that could be used to tell the early part of the story.

The DELTA QUEEN, in my humble opinion, would be the logical choice. Her owners are media savvy, and would probably welcome such exposure. She is a one of a kind piece of Americana with an incredible history. She already has much name recognition. Capt. Mike Williams is an excellent spokes person, and he exudes love of the vessel. The owners of the DQ have a financial plan as well as a business plan in place with an eye towards the future. There is political intrigue with the vessel, so that would be of interest to the potential audience. The publicity would more than likely not hurt the DQ's chances in Washington either. And I'm sure there are other reasons why the DELTA QUEEN story would give these Hollywood producers more bang for their bucks.

Oh, and, Carole, if you talk to any of those Hollywood types again feel free to mention my name! And just what is the AQ coming out with in July?

What of the boat once the show is over?

I can understand why you want a big boat for the show - but what happens to the boat after the show is done? If you go with an abandoned casino boat, restoring it means making it into a real boat, an excursion boat. No casinos want boats anymore - that was just the industry's way of getting into the river towns. The casinos are all on land now. And while those of us on this board would enjoy and take several trips on it as an excursion boat, there really isn't a market anywhere that I am aware of for a 1000+ passenger vessel. And as Frank pointed out, the CRI owners, as well as other casino boat owners, want to dump them onto someone else, not renovate them. So do you have buyers lined up, or would you just fix up a boat for the show and then dump it? I'm not familiar with the vessels Wesley mentioned, but you should look at other waters besides the rivers, since it doesn't seem likely you'll find what you are looking for on the river. It would be wonderful if you could use the DELTA QUEEN, but I don't think it would fit in your timeline. By the way, her passenger load is only 176, but that is because she is an overnight vessel with staterooms. Her dimensions of 285 x 58 would be comparable to what you are looking for though.

Hi Judy, i'll be completely honest - we haven't given much thought yet to what happens AFTER the show. Putting a show together in the first place (any show) is such a monumental task, and always a long shot, that considering what happens after the show isn't something we can really do at this stage. If and when the show sells to a network - then we start looking at the bigger picture.

I personally have no interest in restoring something and then dumping it! What happens after the boat is restored would depend on who actually owns the boat, and paid for the restoration. It most likely will be a foundation or private financing.

If in the end, we have to aim a bit smaller, we'll consider that. But we're aiming high at first and want to see what turns up in that direction first.

Thanks for your input though! This all helps us!

Judy Patsch;34616 wrote: I can understand why you want a big boat for the show - but what happens to the boat after the show is done? If you go with an abandoned casino boat, restoring it means making it into a real boat, an excursion boat. No casinos want boats anymore - that was just the industry's way of getting into the river towns. The casinos are all on land now. And while those of us on this board would enjoy and take several trips on it as an excursion boat, there really isn't a market anywhere that I am aware of for a 1000+ passenger vessel. And as Frank pointed out, the CRI owners, as well as other casino boat owners, want to dump them onto someone else, not renovate them. So do you have buyers lined up, or would you just fix up a boat for the show and then dump it? I'm not familiar with the vessels Wesley mentioned, but you should look at other waters besides the rivers, since it doesn't seem likely you'll find what you are looking for on the river. It would be wonderful if you could use the DELTA QUEEN, but I don't think it would fit in your timeline. By the way, her passenger load is only 176, but that is because she is an overnight vessel with staterooms. Her dimensions of 285 x 58 would be comparable to what you are looking for though.

Thinking big

Nothing wrong with thinking big! But if you have to downsize, I'd think that would work, especially if the overhaul was major. While the GOLDENROD is not a self-propelled vessel, you would have impressive shots of the interior filled with hundreds of people in one spot, which you won't get on an excursion vessel. It looks to me like your major problem, which most of us have, is MONEY. While there are boat owners who want to renovate, the cash is not there, such as with the GOLDENROD.

Wesley, that is a capital idea! I still hope that the DELTA QUEEN gets the nod, but the COLUMBIA would be an excellent choice too.

The COLUMBIA is indeed a historic vessel, and her restoration is in the early phases. She was designed by noted marine architect Frank Kirby to carry folks to and from Detroit, Michigan's BobLo island Amusement Park beginning in 1902. Currently in a Toledo, Ohio shipyard she is being prepared for a journey to New York later this summer. Plans are for her to operate on the Hudson River. The COLUMBIA could carry over 2000 souls at a time during the 88 years she was operating, and many Detroiters have the same fond memories of her that Cincinnatians have of the ISLAND QUEEN

For further information check SS Columbia Project | Restore | Protect | Revitalize | Educate

TV show abandonded riverboats

Looked up Columbia on line and the sister ship Ste Claire. Columbia built 1902 other 1910 both carried about 2500 passengers.Ste Claire in 3rd stage of renovations an looks fantastic an Columbia supposedly being restored but looked a little rough in picture I saw.What a great suggestion an I passed it on to the people who are doing the documentary. A side note both boats were partially restored an featured in the 2014 film titled Transformers Age of Extinction. Carole Matthews Pompano Beach FL

From what I've read, a riverboat of any kind in existence is not going to meet the criteria for your show. I have to move away from the rivers. I feel for what you are asking for, the S.S. United States would better suit your needs. If not, I would say get a show together and try to restore the President as it is a riverboat that is at the base level of any loose translation of the word restoration. It would make for an entertaining show.

Riverboat Restoration

I believe this is a wonderful idea that would both expose people to the riverboating world and add another riverboat to our rivers! As stated earlier, there are many problems. Because most of them have been responded to, I must agree with Ed (partially) with the point that finding a riverboat with your requirements would be difficult. The riverboats available for restoration are mostly either almost too gone to restore at all, or are too small of a job for what you're looking for. Perhaps you could do minor restoration projects on multiple boats? If not, renovating the PRESIDENT would be an interesting task, but you wouldn't just be starting from square 1... you'd practically be starting from scrap. And the condition the parts left are in, this project would need to be humongous! The MAMIE S. BARRETT, in Deer Park, LA, could be restored, but again- that would be a task where you'd practically be starting from scratch. Also, it doesn't have nearly the capacity of 1,000 people. On the other hand, many others have thought of beginning a project for saving her, but nothing has happened. Perhaps these ideas are a little outlandish, but sometimes in the TV world outlandish is great. Good luck!
-ML

Riverboat restoration t v show

HI Guys Atlas Media Corp West Coast Burbank Calif indicated they were seriously looking at the BOOMTOWN BELLE a closed up riverboat casino in Belle Chase La.Mark Dalbis is the casting director and who is looking. I indicated I would like to help out and after 3 days of looking till like 3 AM I finally located a contact person for them.Mark thanked me an said they will keep me posted That was last Thursday late in the day.The show is still in the planning stages and he said they were hoping for 5 seasons at leas.Does snyone remember the old t.v.show called Riverboat starring the late Darren McGavin and Burt Reynolds? Please look on the Delta queen site.M Washenko wants to send out Delta Queen donation flyers an I to give out but cannot get through on the e mail he gave.Carole Matthews Pompano Beach Fla.Mark was hoping to contact Keith Norrington to get his take on riverboats in general not that oarticular one so Keith if you read this remember I sent you his phone last week since you were busy with the Julibee maybe call him next week as they value you take on riverboats/steamboats in general NOT THAT PARTICULAR ONE Excuse spelling.

I remember the Riverboat TV show. It had a format like a typical western except that the heroes rode a riverboat instead of horses. The producers of that new TV show should get copies of Fred Way's "log of the Betsy Ann" and "Pilotin' cones Natural". The story lines and events described in those volumes should provide enough river related subject matter for several seasons. The true stories and events that happened on the rivers during the steamboat era are much more exiting than anything that Hollywood has yet dreamed up.

I credit The Riverboat TV series for starting my Steamboatin' habit. We had just gotten TV, and it was one of the shows we could get (three whole channels)--I was about 5 or 6 at the time. Never did find out what I was watching until a few years ago, and I now have the DVD collection of the series. Some of the sets are pretty realistic, others, well, it was Hollywood!
That's the only reason I can figure that a kid raised in a mountain Railroad town would develop a love for river steamers! Well, maybe Mark Twain's books helped too.