Old Whistles from the Belle of Louisville

MATT;; I know one of the whistles became part of the trophy that was given back and forth at the CaLLiope duel between the BELLE and DELTA QUEEN ,at the great Steamboat race each year,,..
I think,, the trophy was on the DQ as of 2007, and it hung by the pursers office,,But I don't remember seeing it in Oct. ... As for the rest of them ,, I don't know ,, ??
Im sure Travis can enlighten us..:)

Matt and Dave,

Here is what I know about this one....

When Dave and I removed the whistles from the BELLE, they were placed in a box and stored in the Chief Engingges room on the Wharfboat (The MAYOR ANDREW BROADDUS). 3 of them were intgrated into a interactive display for outtings. 1 of them was cut down to make a replica of one of the smaller whistles of the current calliope and used by yours truly in a former position when I went to the schools in the local area to promote river history and get the kids interested in field trip cruises, and 1 was used in 2005 to create a trophy for the resurrected Calliope Duel part of the Great Steamboat Race (I would like to go on record here as saying that was a true thrill for me to coordinate such an event...Capt Kevin Mullen prevailed upon me to create the event 2 days before the event, I hired judges, coordinated with the DELTA QUEEN and her crew, and with the great assistance of Captain Mike Fitzgearld we created a trophy out of former BELLE OF LOUISVILLE paddlewheel lumber and a former calliope whistle...I might note, I got into alot of trouble for making this event happen as I was later told I stepped on a few toes along the way...that is all I can say about that with out getting a box full of email, I am afraid!), 1 has been donated to a local steamboat historian who formerly played the instrument.

Where the other 26 are, I really don't know today...perhaps still on the BROADDUS?

~Travis~

Thanks for the information Travis!

Travis,

I remember a small building near 7th & Race Streets in Cincinnati named A.E. Wilde & Company. I used to go by there during the late 1970s to see his collection of steam whistles. I also remember him putting on a steam calliope concert near the Cincinnati/Hamilton County Public Library. Could this be the same Wilde who built the Belle of Louisville's original whistle?

Speaking of the Cincinnati/Hamilton County Public Library, I heard you could once check out steam whistles from them, just like checking out a book. They have long since discontinued the practice.