Topic starter
09/02/2012 1:11 am
The Steamer NATCHEZ altered her route on the 11:30 trip this morning so they could get a gander at the recently arrived AMERICAN QUEEN. Capt. Steve Nicoulin sent these pix, which I assume were taken by Capt. Steven Nicoulin and Mate C.J. Lardner, who always have their cell phones at the ready. I can't thank my NATCHEZ friends enough for all they have done for me over the years. Viva the Sternline Telegraph!
1) from the NATCHEZ pilothouse as she approaches Perry St. on the westbank side. That round device in the window is a high speed windshield wiper, a necessity in the NOLA harbor.
2) The AQ is pointed downstream at the upper end of the wharf. Unfortunately the Bridge Cam is zoomed in to the bridges and shows only the lower end of the wharf.
3) the bow - I can't tell if the industrial gray on the deck has been returned to the original color, can you?
Topic starter
09/02/2012 1:17 am
More AQ at Perry St. 2/8/12
Can anyone identify the guy on the fantail? Note the paddlewheel boards on the wharf.
As the NATCHEZ makes her turn to head to the Toulouse St. wharf, her flag flutters in the breeze... the NATCHEZ, the AMERICAN QUEEN... God has blessed America!
09/02/2012 3:43 am
Deck paint
Looks to be gray still... I noticed that the sign board between the stages has yet to be completed as well. Hopefully the golden eagle returns to its old spot. Perhaps the final tuning will include painting the decks red and green again... Just glad to see she's back to her DQSC grandeur! Great pics, thanks for the update.
09/02/2012 2:55 pm
Being hungry for current details, these images will be be very helpful for my work sketch of the AQ arriving at Burlington. Thanks for passing them along.
09/02/2012 4:33 pm
Not being familiar with the construction of the AQ's paddlewheel, it is built entirely of wood...wood arms, buckets, etc. or does it have steel arms? I wonder what all that wood would cost or where you'd find that kind of lumber. I've heard that finding oak the proper length and thickness was one of the major problems faced by the SPRAGUE in her later running days.
09/02/2012 7:59 pm
When she came out the wheel was of steel and wood construction. Wooden wheel arm extensions were bolted into the steel wheel arms which were set in the flanges. All of the buckets were wood. I don't know if the new wheel will be rebuilt that way or not.
09/02/2012 8:37 pm
Does anybody think they will change AQs red and white calliope piano back to the original gold & white design.
10/02/2012 12:43 am
Why go to all that trouble to build a wheel, just come to Cincy and get that red hampster wheel off of the riverfront.
10/02/2012 2:55 pm
Building the wheel
Here is some interesting details about the material being use and the building of the AQ wheel:
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