Topic starter
19/04/2012 1:50 am
As the song goes, "People on the river are happy to give" --- and THANKS to some very generous river friends, the bell of the Str. MISSISSIPPI QUEEN will soon be arriving at the Howard Steamboat Museum! As these lines are written, the large bell is reposing aboard the Str. AMERICAN QUEEN and will be delivered to Jeffersonville on May 2nd, when the boat arrives for the Great Steamboat Race! How exciting and appropriate to receive an historic steamboat bell by steamboat!
Kenny Howe and I met this morning with a Jeffboat official who will oversee the delivery of the bell, as well as the construction of a stand that will safely display the bell in the museum yard, where it can again be rung by visitors. We chose a place facing the river and directly in front of our new pilothouse replica. It will reside not far from the site where the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN was constructed and where some 1300+ vessels were constructed by the Howard Shipyard during the 107 years it was owned by the Howard family from 1834 until 1941.
As many know, the bell was cast by the Buckeye Bell Foundry at Cincinnati in 1874 for Holy Cross Monastery there. It was a gift to the MQ in 1976 by the people of Cincinnati and is so inscribed on the bell.
We are planning a "christening" and dedication of the pilothouse and bell, probably in June. Details will be forthcoming as they are finalized.
At the Howard Steamboat Museum we are very honored, grateful and privileged to be chosen as the recipient of this wonderful artifact. Many THANKS to ALL who have been working behind the scenes for many months to make this happen!
"Curator Keith"
19/04/2012 12:55 pm
MQ bell
Congratulations Keith to you and the museum as that is terrific news.
I was afraid the bell was lost forever. While in Pierre Part, LA last December I was told that at one point it went to China for a while. The stories there were so inconsistant that it was difficult to figure out where anything was.
I was also told that someone in the area had or still has the MQ whistle, but have not been able to locate it.
Topic starter
19/04/2012 2:33 pm
Thank you George! And congratulations to YOU for saving the mermaids and nameboard for posterity. I can vouch for the fact that Capt. Lexie Palmore is an excellent source and consultant for your project! And I'm sure that passing boats, big and small, will enjoy viewing your unique display!
Indeed, there were many "rampant rumors" making the rounds about the MQ. We always maintained that IF there was any hope the boat might run again the bell should stay with her. When it became apparent this was not to be, some "Nawlins" river friends brought about the generous gift of the bell to the museum.
I am sure that "pieces and parts" of the MQ are now scattered up and down the rivers. Some of it probably will 'surface' as time goes by!
Come see us at the museum anytime! And we always WELCOME new members -- especially those who are steamboat minded!
Keith