Roddy Hammett

Here are some more 'Roddy pix' . The first one, also taken right outside the Gift Shop, shows Roddy with then-pilot and now-Capt. Don Houghton of the NATCHEZ, and with Capt. Gabe Chengery, a fellow slightly known by a few people on this board! The DQ was in town and so Gabe came over to visit. Gabe, Roddy, and Jim Blum all started working on the DQ about the same time, with Shipyard Sam preceding them a bit, correct? The last two pix were taken at Roddy's Waverly home which he was restoring. We drove down there after the funeral and luncheon at the church. In true Roddy spirit, we cranked up the player piano, found some paper cups and some wine, and toasted our good friend who had brought us together there. Many of these people are posters or lurkers on .org, so here are the ids: Capt. Bob and Sharon Reynolds, Keith Norrington, Cori Reade, Capt. Don Sanders(Sam), Ethel and Larry Walker, and Dorothea Frye in the middle pix. To the right are: Lee Lanier, Chief Gary Frommelt, Judy Patsch, Joann Kyle, Robert Kyle, Capt. David Link, Capt. Doc Hawley, and Jeff Spear.

and finally, some 'rowdy Roddy' pix... an Oct. 1972 photo in the BELLE's pilothouse: Doc, Roddy, and Keith. Jan. 1987 in Zito's drydock against the NATCHEZ' rudder. and at Roddy's Dreux Avenue home in NOLA: Ethel Walker, Perfessor Debbie Fagnano at the piano, and Enrico Caruso Hammett. Roddy loved good music.

Sound of a Small Brass Bell Ringing

Roddy Hammett did not like me when I came back to the DELTA QUEEN in 1970 after a four year stint in the Air Force. At least that was what he later told me after he had departed the QUEEN for the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE and his opinion of me changed for the better. My last year in the service was spent in Korea, and I brought back a rice straw sack loaded with Buddhist temple bells of varying sizes that were hung in my tiny room just inside the Officers' Quarters on the starboard side of the Sun Deck. Whenever the boat bumped, the bells were set a’ jangling, and once when Roddy stuck his head inside my door in the midst of an especially lively concert, I knew that he was fond of the brass bells with the fish wind catchers that set them dancing at the slightest provocation.

That early Spring day Roddy departed, the DELTA QUEEN was leaving the Crescent City, too, and Captain Wagner was twisting hard on the spring line, getting the stern away from the wooden Poydras Street wharf and deeper into the mainstream of the Mississippi River. Rod was standing by to slip the eye of the line off the bollard at Wagner’s command. In my jacket pocket was a ball of tissue paper that held one of the smallest temple bells, and before the steamboat commenced to backing after the spring line was let loose, I yelled up to Roddy, “Here, catch,” as I tossed the mysterious package toward him he hesitated, but he caught it and slipped it into his pocket without unwrapping my parting gift.

Eventually when Roddy revealed his original feelings about me, he said that when he unwrapped the tissue and discovered the small brass bell, his estimation of me suddenly soften and perhaps he thought that someone parting with such a tiny treasure from the Orient was not so terrible after all. It was the beginning of a lasting friendship that I still hold dearly, and his untimely passing will be forever baffling. Only those smiles that reflecting upon his memory bring, make the loss somewhat tolerable.

Thanks, Sam, for your memories, and thank you, Judy, for posting yours and pictures of us saluting our friend. Also there that day were Capt. Jim Blum and Sister Capt. Joy Manthey.

Just the other day, Sharon and I were remembering one time when Roddy, playing the Ultimate Host (as he always was), arranged a trip for us to either Covington or Mandeville, LA to see and hear several very large automatic band organs. These were not little bitty things stuck in somebody's dark garage, but magnificent large instruments in a special room built just for them -- about 8 or 10 instruments. These belonged to some friend of Roddy's and were on display at their private home, and he set up the evening just for us, and drove us over there. I do believe Lexie was in on that evening as well. If memory serves, it was preceded by a seafood dinner at Casmento's. The whole thing was typical of the way our friend treated all his guests, making them feel like the most special people in the world, when in reality it was Roddy who was special. What a great guy and a sad loss to all the world that someone like that would be cut down in such a violent manner, all for a few bucks.

Indeed, Roddy loved music of all kinds, whether it came from a band organ, pipe organ, symphony orchestra, piano, band, choir, or a steam calliope. Roddy frequently stood behind me as I played on the BELLE, surveying the passengers below and sometimes dancing the Charleston, with much flailing, to the amusement of observers on the wharf! Roddy had a good voice for singing too. During the 1989 national convention of The Organ Historical Society, held in New Orleans that year, a recital had just concluded at Temple Sinai and we stood to sing a hymn (an OHS custom at each concert) before having a wonderful luncheon catered by The Gumbo Shop. We were on stanza #2 of "The God of Abraham Praise" when, above the sound of FULL organ and the bold, exuberant singing of the large congregation, I heard a very familiar deep voice about three pews behind me. I turned and there was Roddy, singing at the top of his lungs and flashing that big grin! Humorous stories abound about Capt. Robert James Hammett. His very untimely passing at the hand of a heartless murderer in 1995 took from us a kind and gentle soul who is much missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Here's one of Keith's pictures of Roddy. He had Franz post it last year, but since we've switched board formats, it might be hard to find. Keith said it was taken on the BELLE in 1970, when Roddy was Mate.

The friend of whom you speak was probably Cliff Gray, who lived in Picayune, Mississippi. I think there was a friend in Mandeville, but I don't remember him having the really big band organs. Could be that he did. Do you remember if you might have gone to both places? Those were such good times, and too, too short.

There was a place in St. Louis by the name of Melody Museum, near the previous and still close to the now Busch Stadium, owned or operated by a man named Paul Elkins (sp?) filled with LARGE Band Organs. Instruments that were electric/air controlled with punched paper rolls or punched cardboard "music" which Roddy and I once visited sometime before the earth's crust cool. Place has been closed for many years. Some of the instruments which you wisited MIGHT have been from that collection. I believe there was a vinyl record of the Melody Museum produced....I do not nor never had a copy.

Some information from the more enlightened invited.

It was across Broadway from Busch II... I loved that place! I have several LPs made from those machines. I always wondered what happened to them after it closed. One of my favorite songs is: Under the Anheuser Bush....

Jim and I were with Roddy in a restaurant in NOLA one night. The television was on and an orchestra was playing. The television was in front where you pay. Roddy had left the table first and as we went out to pay, there was Roddy in front of the television, conducting the orchestra with sweeping arms and with his full attention.

Another time the three of us were in a cab in NOLA. Jim was in front. Roddy was in the back with me. As the cab went around Lee Circle, Roddy saved me from rolling out of the cab. The driver had failed to close the back door completely.

One long, two shorts and one long; the Streckfus landing whistle with much love in memory of Roddy and those like him who understand the humor of life and help us to keep moving forward.

May he rest in peace.

Annie Blum

It WAS Picayune, Lexie -- thanks! I gues that's what happens when you appraoch 50. Of course, it was only 27 years ago! ;-))

Jim & Judy: The place was called GAY 90's MELODY MUSEUM, and there was also one at Sikeston, MO. The curator/proprietor was Paul Eakins. A number of LP albums were made of some of the band organs. Both museums were closed in the 1970's when Eakins sold out to Walt Disney World. I think that, somewhere in my archives, I have some of those albums and will search for them in the near future. I imagine the records are also available on EBAY.

Sure enough, Keith was right - there are 5 LPs on Ebay. Here's the first one listed: http://cgi.ebay.com/CHRISTMAS-MUSIC-BOX-FAVORITES-LP-record-album_W0QQitemZ220056196618QQihZ012QQcategoryZ306QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I happen to have this one and probably should fish it out and play now during the Christmas season. I typed in "Paul Eakins" looking in descriptions and came up with the 5 entries.

Judy: I typed in PAUL EAKINS without checking the descriptions box and came up with 21 albums, including band organs, circus calliope, etc.

In memory of roddy

I would like to share these photos with everyone. Roddy was LOVEd by all.
First, This is an oil painting I did of Roddy's backyard on Polymnia Street. I'm sure many of you have fond memories of "partying" in his backyard. I call it 1428 POLYMNIA STREET"
Second, Roddy and I in California
PEACE.
Robert Dan (Danny) Gray Jr.

Photo of roddy and i

Here is a photo taken of Captain Roddy and I at the home he was restoring in West Virginia. I believe it was the former home of a River Captain. Jeff Spear and I had just finished helping Roddy paint his porch and we were relaxing. Roddy and I traveled all over West Virginia and it was very beautiful. Sorry the quality of the photo is not too good.
The second photo is of me in Roddy's basement with a gravestone we found.
PEACE.
Robert Dan (Danny) Gray Jr.

JESUS Loves Roddy

JESUS Loves Roddy.
Rest In PEACE Rhodet.
original oil on wood.
"FLOWER ARRANGEMENT WITH MEDIEVEL LANDSCAPE"
painted by Robert Dan (Danny) Gray Jr.

Mardi gras at captain roddy's

Here is a photo of ME, Roddy and David Mesler on Mardi Gras Day taken at Roddy's house on Polymnia Street. We had a fantastic time that day. I wish it will bring fond memories for you of Roddy.
PEACE.
Robert Dan (Danny) Gray Jr.