Topic starter
28/07/2009 7:03 pm
Today in History notes the birthday of Capt. C.W. Stoll in 1916. C.W., or WC as Wilbur Dow called him at an S&D meeting, served in many capacities on the river. He was a 3rd clerk, calliope player, pilot, photographer, historian, and board member for the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE. He and his wife Lucy hosted celebrated post race parties at their Rock Hill mansion, and fittingly a warm gathering featuring Capt. Gabe Chengery on the Rock Hill piano after C.W.'s funeral was held there. Rock Hill was sold several years ago, but one unusual steamboat memorabilia was retrieved by Keith Norrington and his father and delivered to Capt. Steve Nicoulin on the NATCHEZ: it was a brass plaque which graced an entrance to the home. The plaque commemorated the BELLE and was made by Capt. Steve's grandfather. It rode out Hurricane Katrina's aftermath on the NATCHEZ as she tramped upriver and is now safely at Capt. Steve's home.
One of the memories I have of C.W. playing the calliope was in Madison on a Sunday afternoon as we were boarding the public trip up the Kentucky River. He played several old-time hymns, my favorite being Brighten the Corner.
Here are several pix of C.W. in various roles:
1) a Streckfus calliope in 1939 the SAINT PAUL/SENATOR
2) 1964 with Miss Tiparillo at the BELLE's air calliope.
3) 1968 with the BELLE's calliope which was built by Ernest Wilde.
Topic starter
28/07/2009 7:09 pm
More C.W. pix
1) 3rd Clerk Stoll bidding farewell to his boat, the GORDON C. GREENE in 1935.
2) Reading in his Rock Hill study. Pix of Tom, Chris Greene; Stogie White on wall. Door is from TOM GREENE and now reposes at the Howard Museum.
3) C.W. piloting the NATCHEZ at Tell City in 1982 with Capt. Roddy Hammett deep in meditation (probably discussing classical music)
28/07/2009 7:13 pm
Thanks, Judy for these. My guess on picture number 3 is that they are saying, "What is this guy DOING?!?"
29/07/2009 12:13 pm
Caps and Such
Those caps are perhaps the best-looking ones I've seen on any boat. Cincy Regalia made them originally, I believe, but they have been out of business for quite awhile. It's a shame that Hi-Pressure hats have fallen from grace and are rarely worn anymore, though I hope those handsome hats are still a function of the uniform on the NATCHEZ.
My own cap, also quite good-looking is rarely worn, I must admit, as it is too heavy to carry around atop my ears and it attracts too much attention and makes the wearer the object of numerous unwanted inquiries, the foremost being: "Do you work here?"
My guess about Roddy is that he may be all too fully aware that a camera is being aimed in his direction and that is the pose he's selected for the camera.
Topic starter
29/07/2009 1:15 pm
NATCHEZ caps
Yes, those caps are still part of the uniform and are worn by all deck officers. The Engine Room crew doesn't usually use them. Doc designed those hatbands. There is a mother of a crew member who is able to recreate them now with the demise of Regalia.