Remembering the ISLAND QUEEN

*RE: ISLAND QUEEN/A day to remember.*
Dear David & steamboating colleagues:
You posting '63 years ago today (Sept. 9th, 1947)' was a day like today: September sun, breezes, hint of autumn in the air--strangely reminiscent of 9/11 years later--a day of infamy for those living in Cincinnati with links to the river. This afternoon I visited my nearly 94 year old mother in her retirement community. First thing she said, "Remember what happened today?" "Yes, mom, I do...the ISLAND QUEEN," I replied. Not only having childhood memories of the ISLAND QUEEN aboard her several times, I remembered Lucy our neighbor banging on the door. "Turn on the radio! The ISLAND QUEEN exploded in Pittsburgh and is burning. Some of the neighbors we know working on her may be hurt or killed." Back then people ran across yards with news or banged on water pipes in apartments. There was no TV in those days relying on local WLW, WCKY, WKRC radio along with the CINCINNATI POST, TIMES STAR, ENQUIRER papers. Before long 'Skillet' the paper boy was shouting the news in the street near Coal Haven where we lived, "EXTRA! EXTRA! ISLAND QUEEN explodes, burns. Death toll not yet known. READ ALL ABOUT IT!" That's how it was done in those days as a dwindling few on this web my age and older remember.

The ISLAND QUEEN was a beauty in my very young eyes. What an adventure taking the traction car down to Broadway with picnic basket with my parents for a trip to Coney Island and return later that night. Most passengers packed lunches for the boat and the park in those days. What food vended on the boat I can't recall now. Clyde Trask held forth on the boat's band stand at midships with American flag banners from the upper steel girders over the dance floor. I was young and kept in check while other older boys would run and slide on that huge wood dance floor until the Watchman bellowed, "Hey! you kids, stop that sliding now!" Landing at Coney everybody rushed to get off with Clyde Trask still leading the orchestra with his glistening trumpet in hand probably belting out a tune of the day. This just two years after the end of World War II; so no doubt 'Tuxedo Junction' or 'Stompin at the Savoy' were heard. Years later Jack White, in preparing his fine book on the ISLAND QUEEN, sent out memory interviews to be filled out. I promptly wrote on mine, "I felt so very high up above the river as the boat moved away from the landing. Homer Denny was at the calliope in his black trousers, white shirt with tie and hat pounding the keys. Members of the Denny family were also next door neighbors at Coal Haven Landing; so I saw him many times visiting his relatives." Homer also happened to be up on Mt. Washington at the incline with his camera taking an afternoon outing taking photos the moment the ISLAND QUEEN exploded with all on film for posterity.

When the IQ pulled away from the foot of Broadway, or the landing at Coney Island, one was aware of the subtle vibration as her big sidewheels rolled. At night we could look down the street seeing the IQ steam by in the dark with her lights like a million diamonds and the sound of the orchestra floating over the river. If you were on a pleasure boat, as I was with my parents, the passing of the IQ would draw boats out from the yacht club dock gently bumping in before she passed on. Who could forget that? Her engine room was frightening to many kids with the huge rolling pitmans. Viewers stood behind steel pipe railings and I recall one of the Hall boys we knew working on the boat coming over to talk with my dad.

A number of neighbors in our old neighborhood at Coal Haven Landing worked on the boat either as crew or in other departments. Their return to Cincinnati by train courtesy of Ed Schott was like viewing returning astronauts from the moon. People stood around in my grandfather's big store or on the street talking with them asking excited questions. Thev sense of a great personal lost was felt by many in Cincinnati and the Ohio river valley. Within days news reports dwindled, people went on with their lives.

Ed Schott had the IQ's landing stage returned to Cincinnati where for years it graced the grounds of his home. No doubt Bill Judd remembers more about that and the IQ. Jack White's data for his book revealed that by 1947 ridership on the IQ was already diminishing to and from Coney Island. America's love with the family auto, expanding suburbs, buses to Coney and River Downs made it faster. Could she have survived if there had been no explosion? Good question but doubtful. The economy of her size and operation was considerable. For some years 'talk' always circulated about building a new boat for Coney Island. The Schotts had had it by then and wanted out of the river operation. There were some 'romantic' proposals floated but none came to fruition other than the Str. AVALON making the Coney run. One was to bring a big steam ferry here from the Mackinac Straits run after the new bridge was built. I sat in on a meeting at the time. My feeling was the out-of-state promoter was not only a shyster but didn't know a thing about such an operation--the kind of guy I wouldn't want to get my hands on my investment portfolio. He left for home and the dust settled.

I could go on but will stop at this point. Sorry for the long quietude on .org but I had to rethink and regroup along with pressing obligations. Thanks today to the 'lurker' who gave me a 'heads up' to click and read this posting. Now, would those on this board who have memories of the ISLAND QUEEN please stand up.

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

*RE: ISLAND QUEEN/A day to remember.*
Dear David & steamboating colleagues:
You posting '63 years ago today (Sept. 9th, 1947)' was a day like today: September sun, breezes, hint of autumn in the air--strangely reminiscent of 9/11 years later--a day of infamy for those living in Cincinnati with links to the river. This afternoon I visited my nearly 94 year old mother in her retirement community. First thing she said, "Remember what happened today?" "Yes, mom, I do...the ISLAND QUEEN," I replied. Not only having childhood memories of the ISLAND QUEEN aboard her several times, I remembered Lucy our neighbor banging on the door. "Turn on the radio! The ISLAND QUEEN exploded in Pittsburgh and is burning. Some of the neighbors we know working on her may be hurt or killed." Back then people ran across yards with news or banged on water pipes in apartments. There was no TV in those days relying on local WLW, WCKY, WKRC radio along with the CINCINNATI POST, TIMES STAR, ENQUIRER papers. Before long 'Skillet' the paper boy was shouting the news in the street near Coal Haven where we lived, "EXTRA! EXTRA! ISLAND QUEEN explodes, burns. Death toll not yet known. READ ALL ABOUT IT!" That's how it was done in those days as a dwindling few on this web my age and older remember.

The ISLAND QUEEN was a beauty in my very young eyes. What an adventure taking the traction car down to Broadway with picnic basket with my parents for a trip to Coney Island and return later that night. Most passengers packed lunches for the boat and the park in those days. What food vended on the boat I can't recall now. Clyde Trask held forth on the boat's band stand at midships with American flag banners from the upper steel girders over the dance floor. I was young and kept in check while other older boys would run and slide on that huge wood dance floor until the Watchman bellowed, "Hey! you kids, stop that sliding now!" Landing at Coney everybody rushed to get off with Clyde Trask still leading the orchestra with his glistening trumpet in hand probably belting out a tune of the day. This just two years after the end of World War II; so no doubt 'Tuxedo Junction' or 'Stompin at the Savoy' were heard. Years later Jack White, in preparing his fine book on the ISLAND QUEEN, sent out memory interviews to be filled out. I promptly wrote on mine, "I felt so very high up above the river as the boat moved away from the landing. Homer Denny was at the calliope in his black trousers, white shirt with tie and hat pounding the keys. Members of the Denny family were also next door neighbors at Coal Haven Landing; so I saw him many times visiting his relatives." Homer also happened to be up on Mt. Washington at the incline with his camera taking an afternoon outing taking photos the moment the ISLAND QUEEN exploded with all on film for posterity.

When the IQ pulled away from the foot of Broadway, or the landing at Coney Island, one was aware of the subtle vibration as her big sidewheels rolled. At night we could look down the street seeing the IQ steam by in the dark with her lights like a million diamonds and the sound of the orchestra floating over the river. If you were on a pleasure boat, as I was with my parents, the passing of the IQ would draw boats out from the yacht club dock gently bumping in before she passed on. Who could forget that? Her engine room was frightening to many kids with the huge rolling pitmans. Viewers stood behind steel pipe railings and I recall one of the Hall boys we knew working on the boat coming over to talk with my dad.

A number of neighbors in our old neighborhood at Coal Haven Landing worked on the boat either as crew or in other departments. Their return to Cincinnati by train courtesy of Ed Schott was like viewing returning astronauts from the moon. People stood around in my grandfather's big store or on the street talking with them asking excited questions. Thev sense of a great personal lost was felt by many in Cincinnati and the Ohio river valley. Within days news reports dwindled, people went on with their lives.

Ed Schott had the IQ's landing stage returned to Cincinnati where for years it graced the grounds of his home. No doubt Bill Judd remembers more about that and the IQ. Jack White's data for his book revealed that by 1947 ridership on the IQ was already diminishing to and from Coney Island. America's love with the family auto, expanding suburbs, buses to Coney and River Downs made it faster. Could she have survived if there had been no explosion? Good question but doubtful. The economy of her size and operation was considerable. For some years 'talk' always circulated about building a new boat for Coney Island. The Schotts had had it by then and wanted out of the river operation. There were some 'romantic' proposals floated but none came to fruition other than the Str. AVALON making the Coney run. One was to bring a big steam ferry here from the Mackinac Straits run after the new bridge was built. I sat in on a meeting at the time. My feeling was the out-of-state promoter was not only a shyster but didn't know a thing about such an operation--the kind of guy I wouldn't want to get my hands on my investment portfolio. He left for home and the dust settled.

I could go on but will stop at this point. Sorry for the long quietude on .org but I had to rethink and regroup along with pressing obligations. Thanks today to the 'lurker' who gave me a 'heads up' to click and read this posting. Now, would those on this board who have memories of the ISLAND QUEEN please stand up.

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

Thanks for sharing that Dale 🙂 It's nice to hear stories like that..
Wish I would have had the chance to ride her and play her CaLLiope ..
I heard Homer Denney only found 2 keys from the keyboard of the CaLLiope, (and that was all there was left of it) and 1 of which is on display in the Ohio River Museum in Marietta..

Pic of the ISLAND QUEEN all dressed-up 🙂

Dave and Dale,

Have you heard the sixty-minute radio program, "Remembering the Island Queen" by Mike Martini for station WMKV in Cinncinnati? It was broadcast on the 60th anniversary of the boat's loss in 2007, and is a real gem, featuring about a two-minute clip of Homer playing the IQ's calliope just weeks before her demise.

When Jonathan and I were rummaging through files at the Parkinson Library and Research Center at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo two summers ago, we found a black-and-white print of one of Homer Denney's shots taken from Mt. Washington that afternoon which he had sent to Mr. Parkinson. A real chilling view!

Dale, looking forward to seeing you in person at Marietta next weekend. Should be one fantastic gathering. Bring your hip boots and a shovel!

David

David : Yes I have a copy of it.. It was very well done ..

WILL see you in Marietta 🙂 I'll be on the LAURA J / ANNA MARIE ..
In fact I'm leaving for Marietta tonight to work on the CaLLiope so it's ready for the Sternwheel festival this weekend ... / wochenende

More Pix

Some more rather sad pix..
The Smithfield St. Bridge in the background

The shock and dismay was almost as great in Louisville as in Cincinnati. We simply could not imagine the river without that big sidewheeler.

*RE: Mike Martini/WMKV/ISLAND QUEEN*
Steamboating colleagues:
Yes, S&Ds Mike Jones drew attention to the ISLAND QUEEN program done by local radio man Mike Martini. Jack White, M'Lissa Kesterman, Doc Hawley provided information along with interviews supplementing the accounts recorded by the surviving crew members still living. Several of the band members survived only by luck having gone up town in Pittsburgh to shop, visit dentists etc. Mike Martini has been a frequent luncheon speaker for my group at the country club. A year ago I was asked to speak on WMKV RE: research/article I written on the sinking of the ANDREA DORIA following the collision with the STOCKHOLM at sea July, 1956. Lots of memories on that disaster for me but that's another story out of this realm. Another big dance orchestra on the boat besides Clyde Trask was local Jack Teagarten. Coney Island Co. had very high standards for employees in the park and on the boat demanding full uniforms for officers/crew; top dress/groming by the orchestra and vocalists. No doubt Alan Bates and Bill Judd can add more memories than mine.

'Survivor' accounts from crew of the IQ have appeared on this web previously. The late Capt. Ernie Wagner had one of the most gripping accounts of all. One of the Dignan girls and a crew companion in our old neighborhood, Coal Haven, Cincinnati, had left the boat to shop at WOOLWORTHS up in Pittsburgh several blocks away. At the door they heard a tremendous explosion. People ran out and down to the river only to see the boat engulfed in flames with her bow decks already caving in. Capt. John Beatty did the salvage work on the boat later recovering a number of relics from the wreck. The IQ's big bell had, according to John, melted with globs of metal dropping down; thus negating later 'romantic' stories about the IQ's bell being on display at the Greater Cincinnati Airport here. John also had on his library shelf tubes of U.S. silver coins from her Purser Office that had been melted/fused into solid tubes by the inferno. Capt. Doc Hawley knew/worked with a number of former IQ crew members and has vivid memories of their stories. The boat's hull, as written on this web and other sources, was found to be intact and fine shape. When the wreckage of her superstructure had been cut down, cleared away, the expanse with her wheel housings looked like the landing deck on an aircraft carrier.

Again, the IQ was a beauty, awesome in her appearance day and night. I've family photos of her here taken at different times over the years. Steaming down river just opposite famed St. Rose Church on Eastern Ave near Dayton Bar, the boat from the stern looked like the tail of a great white swan. Homer Denny lived in Norwood and when passing Dayton Bar would play 'Goodby little girl, goodby' or other tunes giving a little trill on the keys. If the wind was right his wife could hear the calliope at home.

I remember the big time out-of-towner, with the bright idea to bring one of the big steam ferries from Michigan here as a replacement in later years, was named Rizzo. His aborted idea was called 'The Rizzo Plan' and, as stated, died a quick death in the cold, gray light of reality. Mr. Rizzo also made a couple of trips on the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE with me again meeting him aboard when the BELLE was in Cincinnati many years back. The local papers gave it some currency at the time with a photo and that was that. In later years, when the DELTA QUEEN was mentioned here in town, many would look at you with blank stares and ask, "Oh, isn't that the big white boat at the foot of Broadway that runs to Coney Island." How soon people forget. There exists a series of incredible 35 mm. color slides taken by a man in Pittsburgh who happened to be by the river at the time. They've been kept under wraps for years and I have no idea as to the fate of these photos at this time. Frank Prudent and others have also viewed them. Any ideas on this?

Last trip for our family was late summer, 1947. I recall the summer heat boarding the boat late in the day at Coney for the run back down. We stood on the top deck with my dad boosting me up to look over and down at the deck seeing the big steel stage gently shimmy as she picked up speed. Some say the IQ ran smooth with no motion. Not so...she vibrated/shimmied lightly like any other. A summer thunderstorm broke with wind, rain. Landing at the foot of Broadway, we walked up to catch the traction car home. I'm sure I was ragged out sleeping on the seat until we arrived. Again, thanks for the memories marking September 9, 1947.

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

Great memories, Dale. Thanks for posting.

As to your comment about the DELTA QUEEN and folks thinking that was the boat that ran to Coney Island: at the first Tall Stacks in 1988, we brought the m/v ISLAND QUEEN up from Memphis to participate. This ISLAND QUEEN was one of several boats built by Capt. Tom Meanley of Memphis Queen Co. in Memphis, and named for Mud Island in Memphis, where she originally ran from -- but that is another subject. This Memphis ISLAND QUEEN, while a nice enough boat, is only 95' long, a fake sternwheeler. ANYWAY, the name ISLAND QUEEN still evoked fond memories for Cincinnatians, and during the boat tours lots of folks wanted to tour Meanley's ISLAND QUEEN because of the name and the fond memories. Many thought they were going to see the old ISLAND QUEEN (No. 2), being discussed here, or a reproduction of same, and were sorely disappointed to come aboard our boat. I had to explain to several people about that boat having burned at Pittsburgh and the history of the boat we had there. Folks either don't understand and/or have short memories of actual events and facts.

G. W. McBride and I were in a popular Louisville dance orchestra that played on the Island Queen one night in 1947 as part of a charter arrangement. G. W. knew the Captains Doss so during an intermission we visited the pilothouse. The view of Louisville was much like from a mountain top. That was my only trip on the boat. A few weeks later it was gone.

*RE: Capts. Doss on ISLAND QUEEN*
Hi, Alan & steamboating colleagues:
I vowed not to post too much boring readers but had to respond to your posting RE: Capts. Doss on the ISLAND QUEEN. Jeff Spear in Marietta has come by an excellent black/white photo taken no doubt by the professional photographer Coney Island Co. kept on the pay list. These various photos of the park, boat etc. excellent. The pilothouse shows assembled a large group or officers lined up spiffed with hats, white shirts, ties, some with jackets with views of the front deck and railing through the windows. Reverse of the large photo...alas...had no names penned. Obviously taken 'possibly' the last year of the boat's existence--or prior. Capt. Doss senior was no spring chicken then having a long career on steamboats but still most dignified with that piercing look of authority in his eyes. His son also aboard the IQ in the photo. Bill Judd and I looked close but couldn't identify any of the others so assembled. A sure case for 'steamboat forensics.' Virginia Bennett, Helen Prater, Alan Bates etc. may know some of the faces. The IQ's engine telegraph in the front gleaming brighly with the usual traditional white towel or what looks like a bar cloth on the top to prevent hands from leaving marks on the brass. This protective cloth an old tradition seen in other steamboat photos and those of vintage ocean liners in their wheelhouses. Things all spic and span 'Bristol fashion' as I often hear in England.

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

I signed off yesterday before this thread started, but last night had a dream about the Island Queen. Weird. It was before my time, but there is still a story. For years we had a piano tuner who tuned my parents piano at our home in Texas. After I had worked on the DQ, the subject came up during one of his later tunings, and he said he had courted his wife on the Island Queen. !!!!!!!! Wish I had milked him for more details.

It would not have helped. He was more interested in the young lady than in any old steamboat!

Mayhaps. But at least he had fond memories, I hope. And would not the old steamboat have contributed in some way to the flowering romance?

Was that a rhetorical question?

Dave Morecraft;23070 wrote: David :

WILL see you in Marietta 🙂 I'll be on the LAURA J / ANNA MARIE ..
In fact I'm leaving for Marietta tonight to work on the CaLLiope so it's ready for the Sternwheel festival this weekend ... / wochenende

Dave,

Just wanted you to know that Jonathan will also be traveling from St. Paul to attend S&D. He originally was planning to drive over only on Saturday, but phoned last night to tell us that he'll be able to arrive sometime Friday. If all goes according to what I've heard so far, there will be a plethora of calliope players there at Marietta: you, Doc, Capt. Gabe Chengery, Capt. Bob Reynolds, and now Jonathan. See you soon.

Now 64 Years

This day rolls around and I Remembered it has now been 64 years scents the loss of the mighty ISLAND QUEEN ..

There was the "we must be seeing a ghost" syndrome when the PRESIDENT attended Tall Stacks.

Very nice, Dale

Dale, your post here about the Island Queen is wonderful. Like all Cincinnatians I have a special place in my heart for Big Liz, and this was good to read. When I was five years old I rode her to Coney Island with my parents. I vaguely remember some of the trip up and back. I do vividly remember the calliope, scared the "H" out of me. Two months later she was gone and I never got to see or rider her again.

One correction to Dale's post. Capt. John Beatty did not salvage the remains of the Str. Island Queen. Crain Brothers of Pittsburgh did all the salvage. Beatty had moved two towboats and a crane up to the site assuming Ed Schott would just hand him the job but the Insurance company put it out for bid.

I rode the Island Queen for at least a ten year period and the one thing I remember most is Homer Denny playing Anchors Away and God Bless America when we would pass an LST or Minesweeper on its way to the Gulf.

I grew up just about a mile from Coney, a good spot to hear the Queen blow her landing and departure whistles and all the boats blowing for old Lock #36. It always amused me that my Dad would load us up in the car and drive all the way to the Cincinnati Public Ldg. and ride the boat back up to Coney. We could have almost walked there. Now I'm grateful for those chances to have ridden on her.

Thanks for the Memories

Thanks for sharing those memories, Capt. Bill. Wish I could have ridden the ISLAND QUEEN with you, but she was lost seven years before I was "launched". I am happy that I had the privilege of meeting Homer Denney and hearing him play a steam calliope, that being aboard the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE. He was quite elderly and VERY deaf, but he could still coax some mighty fine music outta that callyope! I have some slides of him at the Belle's keyboard.

Capt. C.W. Stoll, following an ISLAND QUEEN tradition, used to go back to the calliope and play "The Holy City" as the BELLE neared the landing on her final trip of the season. Then, he turned off the steam, closed the wooden cover over the brass keyboard and made the sign of the cross!

Your posting also reminded me that Capt. Doc Hawley gave me, many years ago, a penny (with a hole in it!) that Bub Crain found and gave him from the salvaging of the ISLAND QUEEN.

IMAGES:
(1) BRYANT'S SHOW BOAT and towboat VALLEY BELLE at Cincinnati
(2) Homer Denney at the calliope
(3) ISLAND QUEEN seen from a towboat pilothouse

*RE: ISLAND QUEEN Anniversary*

Hi, Steamboating colleagues:
Yeah, I got that 'spooky feeling' today working outside the house here remembering the ISLAND QUEEN anniversary. Mother, now pushing 95, phoned later as she has in the past. "Remember what happened on this date?" "Yeah, mom, I do. Remember what kind of a day it was then?" No more needs to be said after that.

Cap n' Bill is right in the correction about Crain Bros. landing the IQ salvage contract. What should have been clarified in my early post is that Capt. John Beatty's first salvage operation as an 'independent operator' was work on raising the hull. John until his last days had lots to say about the IQ during her operating years and the salvage operation. Ed Schott and CONEY ISLAND CO. washed their hands of any river operations after the IQ loss and that was it. A few plans surfaced for some years and then died off.

Beatty's really knew how to throw doozie boat parties on the river--some lasting for several days. Bill Judd may know more about that. My late grandfather, as food/supplier to John and his dad, was part of several parties.

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

ISLAND QUEEN hull

Capt. Bill Judd: Is it true that the hull of the IQ survived into the 1990's? Seems there is mention of this in the wonderful pictorial history of the boat written by the White brothers in 2001. Was the hull eventually cut up for scrap? Where? There has also been rumor that the hull of the SPRAGUE was used as a log barge on the Yazoo ?????? Know anything about that, Capt. Bob Reynolds?

It is my understanding that the hull was fractured in at least two places full width across the hull with extensive damage to the structural internals. I had always been told that it was cut up and scrapped. Now knowing that Pittsburgh bunch ( Crains, Zubik and Johnsons) I would believe almosty any vessel could arise like the Phoenix. Jack White probably knows the answer.

*RE: ISLAND QUEEN hull.*

Steamboating colleagues:
Bill Judd is on the money RE: the hull of the ISLAND QUEEN being cracked in three places following the explosion and loss at Pittsburgh, Sept. 10, 1947. The hull admitted more water than could be pumped out. The salvage contract grew 'ify' with the city fathers in Pittsburgh wanting the wreck out ASAP--in twenty days. John, sensing his involvement with contract complications, bailed out altogether. The boat was down head first, stern up. CRAIN BROS. lifted the hull up. The hull served as a wharfboat at a marina until 1995. John had time in the coming decades to grouse, mumble, opine over the job to no end. "Well, boy, you win some and lose some," he said.

I vividly recall some years back being shown a large portfolio of B/W photos of excellent quality of various angles of the IQ wreck. One shot taken inside showing the engines still intact but partly under water; another showing the hull being towed away by, I 'think' a CRAIN boat. She was torn down, cleared of debris/wreckage to the main deck with but her huge sidewheel housings still somewhat intact. I remember these photos being taken for an insurance company and contract bids. The story goes on but I'll 'cut' it here.

Even by 1947, the IQ's last running season, CONEY ISLAND CO. statistics revealed her ridership had been slipping over the last several seasons following the end of the war in 1945. The writing was on the wall as far as Ed Schott and the company were concerned with him bailing out on any thought of a replacement by that time. Expanding suburbs, the family auto, roads, highways, buses were carrying more park patrons than the boat. 'Could...possibly...maybe' she have survived to the present era? Possible--very possible--but highly doubtful. Yet, for those of us who remember the IQ no matter how young, it was a thrilling sight and experience never forgotten. Being aboard on the top deck looking down was like at the peak of a mountain. Feeling her start up with some slight vibration could be felt. Seeing her at night from the shore sparkling with lights on the water, orchestra music aboard, the whistle and calliope arriving, leaving the park were wonderful in my mind's eye. Our family with picnic baskets, swim gear from SUNLITE POOL, would dash down to board her in the very late afternoon or evening for the run back to the foot of Broadway. Sailing down around Daton Bar near famed St. Rose Church on Eastern Ave, she resembled from the stern a great white swan. Then WAHOOOOOO, WHAOOOOO, WOOO, WO from her whistle. 'Good bye little girl good bye' or 'I'll be seeing you in apple blossom time' from the keys of Homer Denny's calliope. Well, what do I know?

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