The PRESIDENT/MISSISSIPPI pieces

Steamboat Skeletons

Aaron,

I, too, have been wondering about the status of the MISSISSIPPI/BECKY THATCHER hull. Some months ago we had a call here at the HSM from a salvage company seeking the plans for the hull. I have cast covetous eyes at the capstan, which was still on the forecastle at the time of the sinking in February, 2010. As of September, 2012, the hull (built at Howard's in 1926) was still submerged in the river at Neville Island, with fragments of the sternwheel exposed.

I would love to have that capstan for the yard of the museum!

Interesting about the MISSISSIPPI hull at Neville Island. Sad that the few pieces of these boats that remain, like the capstan you mentioned should be saved and preserved in a museum or collection but probably will end up at the end of a cutters torch. Hopefully someone upriver can shed some light on whether "she" is still there. I'm sure someone on here knows the fate of the Wakerobins hull. I'll be traveling through Effingham this Fall and will stop to see if anything is left of the PRESIDENT. Did someone confirm the ADMIRALS hull was cut up at Paducah?

*Boats in pieces/sunk*
Hi, AJ and Keith,
Good questions and I don't know the answers. Last I heard back a spell the MISSISSIPPI/THATCHER still on the bottom. And what a tragedy that was. Judy Patsch, Jim Blum, David Tschiggfrie may know more in detail up in their section. Jim and David did visit the site of the PRESIDENT with a mention in the December REFLECTOR and it's not a pretty picture being fairly close to a scrap yard.

Capt. Bill Judd would probably know more about the MISSISSIPPI here and the WAKE ROBIN hull for sure via his work and contacts with those in the know. Whatever, I hope Keith can get the capstan for the HSM. Keith knows more about her than anybody I know.

Several years back, I had a near hysterical phone call from beyond the Rocky Mountains wondering "Why can't either the hull of the TOM or CHRIS GREENE be saved as a hull to build a brand new steam passenger boat?" Then in the same vein, "I think the DELTA QUEEN should be brought back to California to run on the Sacramento River on 7 day cruises and I want SOMEBODY to do it." There are times when a pressing question doesn't get an answer. Well, what do I know?

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

Str President remains are still sitting in a cornfield, just sinking further into the mud as of 06 March 13.

Str. Admiral hull cut up completely just outside Paducah. To the best of my knowledge nothing saved from the hull, excepting possibly the capstan. Scrap dealer more or less laughed at my $ bid.

DQ & Sacramento River Return

Since I'm from and in California, I imagine what I'm about to post will make me persona non gratis in California.
Yes, the DQ started out here, but she's spent much more of her life on the American Inland waterways, and that is the biggest part of her heritage.
The Sacramento river is short, compared to the Mississippi, Ohio, etc.. There are only a few places one can go here in California on the rivers & bays. It would not take very long to "do" them all and then what to do? So, financially it just doesn't make sense to bring her back here to run. Nor, IMHO, does it make sense historically.
Fortunately some folks spent millions to bring the DK back from the grave; and while she will never run again, she (he?) is lookin' good in Sacramento--although there are rumors that business is not good enough, so visit the boats while you can, wherever they are!
Steamcerely,
David Dewey

*Sacramento River Scheme for DELTA QUEEN*
Hi, David & Steamboating colleagues:
First, my posting about the 'hysterical phone call' in the above wasn't meant to demean. I learned long ago to listen patiently, ask a few return questions, admit what I don't know, and let the scene play out--but keep records as at times these things can fall out of the trees down the road to haunt you. The caller obviously was sincere, meant well--but made the mistake of making 'demands' with drama. When I gave a sketch of the hulls of the old TOM & CHRIS GREENE there was dead silence. More dead silence when I asked, "And I assume you are prepared to invest personally in this plan?"

David, I agree with you. The Sacramento River of today far different than years ago now with the new channel for deep water ocean ships. My enthusiastic caller said, "When the DELTA QUEEN is returned she can make tours of San Francisco Bay and up to Sacramento and Stockton...tours of the wine country." Not only will it never happen, the logistics, cost etc. would be horrendous--along with the Coast Guard casting cat slit eyes--and that was several years ago when my call came in. The dream of such [At least from one person] doesn't match the reality of the investment compared to down-the-road profit. The year 2013 isn't the year 1947. I get mixed reviews about the DELTA KING operation/business. Yet, I support them wholy and hope to do so when I'm out there in May. With the DELTA QUEEN now laid up these years, I think it is pretty obvious. Well, what do I know?

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

Thanks to one of my father's cousins I was at the actual source of the Sacramento River, then later on the Delta King a year ago last weekend! It was fun to see the Sacramento River area, I could easily see myself going west someday again soon!!! The Coynes who own the the Delta King have a first class operation and the weekend I was there, the boat was sold out... Frankly I can't recall when such occurred here east of the Rockies...at least in my time of travels!

I've heard for years here about the DK's issues, however seeing what they have firsthand several times now and talking with their people...well...