What I'll Miss

There are so MANY things I miss, but some of them are not so obvious. Yes, I miss my crew and passenger friends tremendously. I miss the sunrises and sunsets--they are like nowhere else. But I miss the way the sound waves from the whistle go through your heart--you can't get that from a recording. I miss hearing the rattle of the Engine Order Telegraph as you walk through the Betty Blake Lounge. I miss the guys in engineering, griping at me as we get close to Paducah, "Where are our cookies, Mary?" I miss how disconcerting it looks when you are in a bend in the river, walking on an outside deck, and the railing suddenly looks so strange--it doesn't line up right with the banks, and your brain doesn't process it right. I miss seeing some load on a barge, wondering what the heck it is, calling up to the pilot house, and asking Captain Finley to call over to find out what it could be. I miss seeing something WAY cool, and running to announce it to everyone--being so excited about it that it comes out silly! I miss a spontaneous hug from a crew member, just because. I miss going down to the lower engine room, or the bow thruster room, and knowing that the guys are humoring me--they think it's funny that I want to go there, but they don't hurry me; they explain things to me seriously, and they did not laugh at me when I went down there one last time to say goodbye to those spaces. I miss it that the people who worked there GET it that you can fall so in love with each other, and with your job, and with the boat. My friends, don't lose hope. I think of you every day. I, too, am proud to have worked with all of you, and hope to see you again.

OK, I tried to reply first here...typed with abandon for about half an hour, it was wonderful, an epithany, but I didn't "preview post" at all and when I had written about a bazillion words, I finally hit preview post and *poof* it was gone and I was no longer logged on. Soooo...we'll try again...

Fred, what I will miss most about the DQ is the crew doing their little things just to make the passenger welcome, to make them feel wanted. You fit the bill, you made my day, as I sat on the tool bench on the bow (now why I was on the bow is beyond me, don't remember) when I heard "you know I've heard things about that New York Smart As- that posts on Dot-Org"...You took a slightly gutsy move that day strictly to try to reach out to me. You didn't have to do that, that and the two hours we spent just chewing the fat about stuff outside the Forward Cabin, starboard side. You went out of your way, that's what I'll miss...Think anybody would get that kind of attention on Carnival or Princess?

In absolutely no particular order and I'm sure I'm gonna inadvertantly leave out a huge amount of people, this is a small portion of what I will miss...Michael at 4:30 in the morning saying hi to me and chatting for 15 seconds because that is all he could afford in time, but always stopping to say hi. Jazzou with "funf und funfzieg" and "we use the word sphere as it isn't polite to say balls in public" and the passion with which he plays ragtime, and Little Sir Echo. Bob Shaad with "what are the chances?" Mike Gentry with Codfish Ball and him playing the theme to Ken Burns Civil War series, and Rockytop. Bob Stevens with Mardi Gras Mambo and teasing us during sing along . Walt and the boys with Muscat Ramble and playing that, our favorite song, enough times that both me and Deb hear it each cruise. Tony playing Kingdom Coming and Dixie on the Calliope, and him teaching us what Slide is. Annie with baseball trivia and playing Eleanor Rigby on the calliope, and of course her "party". Em with her incredible red dress and hat show. Laura for singing a song during her show while sitting in my lap, scared the bageezus outa me, Deb roared... Pat Taylor with her wonderful smile and that incredible John Hartford music she always had on, and me teasing her that the stateroom number of the day drawing was fixed, who did I need to see to provide some payola and of course her impromptu concerts. Herman our wonderful cabin attendant, and Kenny, too, and Justin before that before he went to Iraq. Popeye Jones and how he always gave Deb a big hug with "Darlin..." And all the wonderful dining room servers and Maitre D's...Red Dog, Mo, Lionel, Al, Travis, Tory, Steven, Ortis and of course Lloyd who always took care of my "Sam's", Darryl who made sure I was as comfortable as possible when I was sick, Denis, Shelby...Jessie, who always goes out of his way to find us and say hi even with a paint brush in his hand, William who is always there, usually as we are getting on board for the first time with a hug for Deb, Capt PT, Capt. Mike Williams, Capt. Gabe, Capt Schultz waiting until a very curious Bruno stuck his head almost under the bell before he rang it very lightly, scared me no end but we laughed for days afterwards, Capt Mike Sweigert, Capt Buddy, his wonderful stories about the MQ and of course his lovely wife Miss Alice, Capt Kenny and of course Capt Finley Fraser. Travis and Mary and Jerry Hay and Jim Williams and of course Toots. And Paul and Jonnena both with huge smiles as I come around the Purser window corner, and them allowing me to vent that Majestic no long accepts DiscoverCard, which I had known for a long time but it had become a game, and we just had to play it. And then there is the bar staff, how they let me chew their ear off...Paulina, Gabby, and god there are so many that were there for such a short time, Tony, Zane, Antonio,...Anna Marie and how happy she always seems to see us, watching her play drums with one drumstick...Pony Keg, and how proud he was to show me that he fixed the outside doors into the Forward Cabin Lounge...

Anyways, I could go on all night, and that isn't my goal here... my point is that the crew is the thing I will miss most. They all go out of their way to want you The Passenger to be there, to want you to be their friend, to want you to become a part of their "family". The Delta Queen is wonderful, incredible but I doubt if I would want to ride her again without you guys, the crew. I feel the same way about the American Queen...If the crew on either of those boats were foreign and/or contract and/or customer contact was discouraged, I know it would have been a very short ride...

Oh my GOSH!!! I can't respond for boohooing AGAIN!!! I thought maybe all the tears had been shed Friday night when I got this wonderful "gift" of a CD from one of our steamboat friends of "river music". Now, I'm wondering if I need professional help!!! It's been just over two weeks since we got off of "HER" in Memphis. But the tears are still so near the surface that when I run into friends and folks ask me about it, the tears spill over. But it's a wonderful disease to have. WE MUST CONTINUE TO FIGHT!!!! SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN!!!!!

I thought Bruno's posting made me loose it, but you'rs really did it! I cannot add to what has been posted here. Augh, can't see to type anymore, mabye later.
S'
David D.

Bruno: loved your analysis but I think that it goes further. Some people are a commanding presence when they enter a room...something about their appearance and demeanor that makes a real statement without their having said a word...either you've got it or you don't. Well, the DELTA QUEEN's got it in spades! Her shape and physical condition (which I freely admit is a reflection of crew care) tell you something. And, if the caliope doesn't get your feet to movin' that way, the whistle will raise the hair on the back of your neck and arrest your progress where ever you are. This from a guy who's never been exposed to the DQ crew or been on her under way...but hopes to have a chance some day! Cap'n Walnut

new pictures of the old days

Hey folks I have posted another album of what I have already missed for years. look at my profile under albums.

Mel, thanks for another album...any chance you could add some naration to the great pictures for us post 2000 newbies?

Tom, obviously I agree with you, my friend. The Delta Queen is so extremely unique, I am wrong to say that ALL I'll miss is the crew? You bet. My point was that the crew is single most important part of Deb's and my steamboatin' experience. But obviously there are other aspects that are truly important, additional things I'll miss...and I could go on for ages, from the whistle that never fails to raise the hair on my neck down to the little staterooms that are just so much of the charm. How many times have I hit my head climbing into the upper bunk of a "G", love it each time...the smell of the bowthruster, the vibrations, how the bed shakes underway...I could go on forever...

I love the DQ...I love the AQ...matter of fact I'm kinda crazy about the MQ, too. My point is that the crew is such a big piece of the puzzle that I wonder, and have stated so before here in the past, if the crew went to another boat, would we all follow? Interesting question, huh? Especially if the boat we all love and know isn't available...

Maybe we ought to take this 'I'll miss this..." theme a bit further...should we list specific, material things we miss about the boats? And notice that all the Mississippi River boats should be included here. Could be interesting...what the hell, let's include specific crew loves also...

Just talked to Deb, here's our beginning 10...we'll probably add more later.

1. the whistle, you can feel it, not just hear it, especially Sundeck Bow. I'm sorry but I'm biased, Capt Finley and Capt Schultz are the pros here at blowing that thing...
2. The calliope...and it doesn't matter who's playing it. I pride myself that I can figure out pretty much who's playing it from YouTube. You know when Tony does his thing, as does everybody, he starts by warming up all the whistles. He starts playing, basically the same group of songs each time, wonderful...anyways, toward the middle there is a tune he plays that requires the far port side little itty-bitty whistle, by then cooled off. It spits and sputters, raining all and Tony moves on. But the tune comes back to that note, he plays it a second time and it always comes out clear and sweet.
3. A mug of coffee, Sundeck Starboard, between 4 and 6 AM watching the sun rise and/or watching the fog lift. See my earlier post about Michael...and me making the Forward Cabin Lounge coffee myself at 4:30 AM as fast as possible so I don't get "yelled" at...
3. The individual staterooms. DQ322 has the shower plumbed backwards. DQ320 and DQ330 have showers with ceilings at 5 feet 8 inches with a shower head that sprays about 6 inches above your butt. Every stateroom is unique and has it's own personality...AQ429 has an incredible river view with the doors open. DQ107 you sleep with your head lower than your feet and hope and pray the night watchman, who's walking over your head at night, hasn't just bought new shoes.
4. How the Texas liquor bottles clang against each other underway. How the bed in every DQ stateroom shakes while underway...How the bed in AQ429 doesn't wiggle an inch while underway.
5. How the chandelier at the Grand Staircase boogies with the moves of the boat.
6. The popcorn smell of the Texas...
7. Rainbows at the paddlewheel.
8. the smell and sound of the bowthruster combined with the woosh of the steam capstan.
9. The Aurora effect, and no I'm not talking about the colored lights...I'm talking about the pre-concert silliness, wonderful stuff...
10. The smell, how utterly unique, how utterly bed and breakfastish, just like Grandmas...
11. DQ 119 while underway...thump...thump/thump....thump...thump/thump and then you hear the telegraph...
12. Hunter Green paint...and me walking on it while it was still sticky...and getting yelled at, but damn, that's my footprint for posterity, at least for a little while.
13. turlet and burler
14. Schmutz on the deck, Deb's word for soot. The blue towels, the wicker hampers.
15. the individual state flags
16. pea soup fog and waking up to the fog horn and that silly light that goes with it.
17. trying as only an engineer tries to do, pray for us, to figure out why there are two reds and at least two whites on the light staffs. I know what one of the reds is for, is that a good thing after 9 seasons?
18. How the AQ can dance! Crab sideways, no problem...Backup and turn at the same time without the bowthruster, piece of cake...
19. MQ402...my gawd, what a view, I was hooked for life.
20. Louie, Louie on the MQ's calliope...you can't imagine how that stroked my psyche...

I guess I went a bit far, but you get the drift. Really, I would like to hear what floats your boat about the boats...

Please, bring it on...

Ah, Captain Finley on the whistle--this summer on the Cumberland--I was in the Forward Cabin Lounge on a very hot afternoon, and spied a herd of cows, half-in, half-out of the river. I just KNEW he would blow the whistle at them--the only man I know who can MOO at cows! They were a little uneasy to begin with ("What's that thing, anyway?"), but when it mooed at them, they very slowly e-a-s-e-d their way back on to the land. No messing with that big cow!! Cap, you are the best!

Thanks Mel, and putting it in perspective

mel hartsough;13947 wrote: Hey folks I have posted another album of what I have already missed for years. look at my profile under albums.

Thanks for the new pix, oh all those good-looking youngsters! Just a dose of reality though - I was usually the youngest passenger in those days, and this month I'll be getting my first Social Security check - a lot of water has flowed under the bridges since those days!!!!

sure Bruno I just didnt have time yesterday but I'll do them in the morning.

Wow Bruno that is an awesome Idea! I'll most certainly throw in. And you have advantages that I havent, such as riding the AQ......i've never even set foot one her. And Mary the story about the cows made me laugh out loud. You my lady have it over all of us as you go back well over 30 years. Where were you when I was around. You know there was a time when we had no historian or nararrator it was just the Pilot or captain or even the mate on the PA pointing out something of interest on the river. I know you and Judy remember those days Mary. Everything was just so down home.

402 was an awesome room Bruno. Partied in that room back in the day and actually spent the night in there a few times. Yes it brings back memories, very good ones.

Ten things

1. I miss the thrill of making a landing and the show we used to put on for the Pax. The Cap'n hollering orders over the loudspeaker and me making sure everything went smoothly and then the applause we would get from the decks above.
2. The Fun and the laughs I used to have with that Tall Texas Gal up in the Pilot House when I was a mate and she a Pilot.
3. Cool Brisk Fall mornings on the Ohio.
4. Walking the Decks on either boat early in the morning making sure my crew was doing their jobs.
5. Being trusted enough by certain pilots to steer for them on the midnite watch so they could catch a nap on the couch.
6. Being a deckhand on the MQ and the camraderie.
7. Cruising days.
8. The tours we used to give for a dollar a head on the DQ for the crew fund.
9. Sitting down in the engine room at the desk chawing the fat with the engineer on watch.
10. Going down to the boiler room to see Bubba and Ed and listening to Bubba play his Sax.
thats all for now but be advised there will be more.

More things I miss

11. Making a Lock. The thrill of lassoing the floating pin on the first throw. Knowing just how to work that spring line and turn it into a backing line.
12. Tying up at nite in the fog. It was always interesting.
13. Meeting interesting Famous people. John Hatford, Glen Campbell, Paul Harvey, June Lockhart, Phil Donahue, Larry Flynt, Barney Olefeild, James McArthur, Helen Hayes, Flip Wilson, Jaques Cousteau, Ben Lucien Burman, Jane Curry, CW Stoll, Capt. Fred Way, Capt. Ernie Wagner, Capt. Doc Hawley.
14. Breakfast on the DQ. It beat the MQ breakfast hands down.
15. Hanging out on the Bow of DQ on a cool evening.
16. Working on either boat during Lay-up.

I can only read these lists in amazement for you've all brought out things I've already had slip away from my memory and so many more that only those with a lot of time on the ol' gal can compile. For me, with only two trips on the DQ (and two on the AQ), the slight humming of live machinery far below during the night was memorable for, once the boat tied up or stopped moving, the stillness became noticeable, even deafening. I agree with all you've said about the crews for it is really they who make or break the experience and all of 'em I've met were just perfect at their jobs. The whistle goes beyond a passenger experience; you ought to hear it from a mile down the shore or echoing through the hills. And the calliope, well it's the voice of the DQ. For someone on the shore, it's as if she's singing to you and her mood was usually a happy one, But when she's in Kentucky and the song gets to "Weep no more my lady..." Well, that's a hard one to take, especially now.

This has been such a beautiful thread. I've loved hearing what others miss--crew from the "good old days"--which I never got to experience--and passengers. I remember meeting what I call my "River Gods"--and they will laugh when I put them here. They are folks who contributed so much to river history, just by doing their jobs--folks like Doc Hawley, Alan Bates, Captain Don Sanders. Then the folks who have shown me over these few seasons what it means to be a river person--Bobby and Linda Horton, Dave Para and Cathy Barton, Jerry Sutphin, Bud Robertson--oh, there are tons more. The crew who taught me so much--all those engine room and pilothouse men and women who patiently taught me, over and over, how things work, so that I could explain it to others.
Here is another you river people will understand: the creaking of the line. There is nothing on earth that sounds like it. I hear it in my sleep.
Oh, and the sounds of our engine. I spent enough time in the engine room that I got to know some subtleties about its sounds--sometimes I would know when it didn't sound quite right. Didn't know why--I'll leave that to others!

I was present, several times, when the late Capt. C.W. Stoll was asked, "WHY are you interested in steamboats?" as if it were akin to some kind of terrible illness to be avoided. C.W. would swell up like my cat's tail often does, turn red and wag his finger under the nose of the offending person as he bellowed, "You either ARE or you AREN'T interested in steamboats -- and if you AREN'T, you just wouldn't understand!"

True, there are many who "just don't understand" what it is about steamboats that casts its mesmerizing spell over us. It's hard to fathom anybody being UNmoved by the gloriously inspiring sights of sunrise and sunset on the river, the beauty of a misty fog lifting from the water, the reverent, soul filling peace of night on the river, the sounds of a melodious, echoing steamboat whistle, the hissing clouds of steam from the capstan, the jangling of the engine room telegraph, the booming gong of the roof bell, pilothouse chatter and the exchange of crackling radio messages with passing towboats, the rhythm of the engines and the churning of the paddlewheel, the delightful odor of hot oil and steam -- not to mention the wonderful aromas emanating from the galley (especially frying bacon and brewing coffee) and the pungent smell of new line as the deck crew skillfully weaves bumpers and monkey fists, the joyful tootling of the calliope and the festive music from the evening show in The Orleans Room. I always treasured the silence of very early morning on deck, after watch change, when the boat was "choking a stump" somewhere at a remote wooded area and the only sounds were birds chirping in the trees and the capricious gurgling of the river as the sternwheel dripped quietly. Also a BIG part of it are the personalities of the crew, from the captain to the deckhands, who are the "family" that makes it all go, with each person an integral piece of the boat's operation. Not to be forgotten are the friendly folks on shore who enthusiastically wave to the boat and wait at locks at all hours with wide eyed children to experience the fascinating sights and sounds of the steamboat.

I learned at a young age (over four decades ago!) that "people on the river are happy to give" and I wouldn't take anything for the dear river people I've known -- many of them now long departed -- and for the cherished friendships I have with so many who are infatuated with this absolutely wonderful, UNcurable "illness" we call STEAMBOATING!

KEEP UP STEAM and KEEP THE FAITH!

the thing I miss the very most

I reckon the thing I miss the very most is blowing the Delta Queens whistle. When I was a mate occaisionally I would have to blow the 20 minute whistle if the pilot was not up there yet. There is an unbelievable feeling of power when you blow that whistle and its so smooth and FUN to blow. The MQ's whistle was not near as much fun or as easy to blow, oh it was still fun to blow any whistle but none matched the DQ's. Doc and Roddy used to let me blow the Natchez whistle when I would ride and they let me steer. And Mary you are so right about the creaking of a line. How about waking up and automatically looking at something like a plant or a hanging ornament to see if we were underway. Or the unmistakable sounds of being inside a lock. I also really miss all those old Pilots I worked with that are just about all gone now. Captains Oren Russell, Harry Louden, Wally Blice, Edward C. Winford, Joe Gayle, Red Karnath, Fontaine Johnson, John Ritchie, Bobby Powell, Charlie Fehlig, Arthur J. MacArthur, Gene Tronier, Harlold Demarrero, Carroll S. "Rip" Ware, Bill Foley, Tom Kinney, Ruben Williams, and I am happy to say Capt.s Ted Davisson and Lexie Palmore are alive and well.

I'm sorry, but a few more...

1. the AQ's Front Porch...great coffee, incredible view, good danish, stay inside or go outside to have a smoke, rain or shine, and the humor and friendship that is Lance...
2. The AQ's model of the Delta Queen in the Mark Twain Lounge, a room that just keeps on attracting the overly curious, the room is full of steamboatin' stuff, it'll take more than a few cruises for me to fully absorb... I've stared at that model a lot. The model is gorgous...and perfect, depicting the beginning 80's, my guess (double porthole in the spashboard).
3. Walter introducing his band, and I know Jeff is from 'New Yawlk' now, but in my mind he will always be, just from the inflection of Walter's voice, from Chicago!
4. Bobby Horton and Lewis the Mark Twain guy, and the guy that does Cajun Christmas. First time I saw Bobby, I could never understand why some of his fingernails were so long, seemed wrong...I know why now and I can't wait to hear him and the antique instruments he plays, again.
5. Shiloe in the morning, mid summer, cicadias going...I can say the same thing about Fort Donalson...how much history... stories of people trying to save our country's butt that ended in victory but also carnage...overwelming and heartstopping...
6. Oak alley through the fog, about 6 am...Oak Alley's Mint Julips about 9:30 am, incredibly decadent...
7. The sign that points to the engine room... can say the same for all the signs that are in steamboatin' script...Watch Your Step
8. Joyce's etouffee and seafood gumbo, I'll eat it until I'm sick, dee-lish...I've been known to have just soup, many bowls, but just soup none the less, for dinner in the Orleans.
9. The AQ's wonderful variation of lighting, very high tech, not steamboaty at all but so cool, in the Grand Saloon. Especially during a show, especially during Phil Westbrook's "By Request" show...and funny, we didn't realized we liked Sinatra...guess what?
10. Capt Lexie's Orleans Room stage backdrop painting...Every trip, every one, I look a little closer at that talent...
11. The Mullen Sphere Containment System, Damn we had fun that day...
12. Teasing the crew about various things, realizing that you can really get away with teasing the crew, that you have 'arrived'...many years in the future I'll tell everybody about Mary and Google, it was fun...he-he-hee
13. you mention the noise of a tight rope, I'd like to add my amazement at seeing a tightening wet rope start to steam!.
14. Paducah and my shoes...enough said, quite a few will understand.
15. Watching without being too conspicuous, the deck crew replacing a bucket board.
16. Mayflies!...I'm sorry, they aren't very attractive, yet so utterly river rat stuff, I love em'. I'm thrilled just to watch the first time passenger's reactions to their presence...Where else could you get rid of such a huge menace with a leaf blower?
17. Onion Rings at Grafton...
18. Bruno's version of a Hurricane... only one a day please...
19. Listening to the focus, tilt and pan motors on the DQ's spotlights very late at night, better yet early morning-ish, I can still hear those noises... and also the noise and smell of the bowthruster in my head. Especially the starboard spotlight...the motors on the spotlights, port and starboard, sound different to each other...
20. the occasional bat flying through the spotlight beam...
21 Bingo numbers B11(Legs), B7(bee's heaven), B8(Bea went on a cruise and what did she do?), 44(hubba, hubba), B2(Quack), 22(Quack, quack), and of course 55...

That's enough...

Good ones Bruno, they also called Mayflies "fishflies" as they smelled like fish on a wet deck. I remember up around Lock 2 below St. Paul they would get so thick they'd be knee deep around the search lights and lord help ya if you slipped and fell as they were slick as cookin oil. And back in back in the day we still had those old carbon arc lights and on a busy nite you might have to change them twice and that sucked when it was really cold and windy cause you'd get all that carbon dust on your face and in your eyes.

Bruno--Mary and Google?? Perhaps you should tell me this one first--privately!!

Mayflies/fish flies/ 24 hour bugs

Mel, one of my first trips I was awakened by a swishing noise. It was the deckhands sweeping the bugs off the bulkheads. We always stirred them up with the bowthruster upon leaving Dubuque. One of the bridges, I believe the Savanna/Sabula one, had to close down because the bugs were making driving conditions too slick. On cool evenings I liked to sit by the old searchlight to stay warm, but the downside was those bugs.

mel hartsough;14068 wrote: I reckon the thing I miss the very most is blowing the Delta Queens whistle. When I was a mate occaisionally I would have to blow the 20 minute whistle if the pilot was not up there yet. There is an unbelievable feeling of power when you blow that whistle and its so smooth and FUN to blow. The MQ's whistle was not near as much fun or as easy to blow, oh it was still fun to blow any whistle but none matched the DQ's. Doc and Roddy used to let me blow the Natchez whistle when I would ride and they let me steer. And Mary you are so right about the creaking of a line. How about waking up and automatically looking at something like a plant or a hanging ornament to see if we were underway. Or the unmistakable sounds of being inside a lock. I also really miss all those old Pilots I worked with that are just about all gone now. Captains Oren Russell, Harry Louden, Wally Blice, Edward C. Winford, Joe Gayle, Red Karnath, Fontaine Johnson, John Ritchie, Bobby Powell, Charlie Fehlig, Arthur J. MacArthur, Gene Tronier, Harlold Demarrero, Carroll S. "Rip" Ware, Bill Foley, Tom Kinney, Ruben Williams, and I am happy to say Capt.s Ted Davisson and Lexie Palmore are alive and well.

Harold Jr has passed? Many of my family DQ trips had Harold DeMarrero as captain or commodore...he was a real favorite of my grandfather & parents back in the 1980's...shared a number captains' tables as well!