When?

NATCHEZ at Toulouse St.

Were you down there prior to March 1980? The railings on the stages were removed after the Exxon Baltimore March 28, 1980 incident and remained off for several years. By the time they were reinstalled, the canopies were in place (1985). There is only one bridge span, the second was opened in 1988 after many years of construction. Also there is no gondola structure which was there from 1984 for several years. So no question this is prior to 1980, but as to the exact year, I'll have to do some more sleuthing.

More differences from today

The original stack height and double spreader bar are there. They were temporarily shortened in 1982 for the Race Trip, but were reinstated quickly. The stacks were cut down for the 2005 relief trip and 2006 Tall Stacks and have remained at their shorter length, with only one spreader bar. The name is illuminated with only 4 lights - there are now 7, one over each letter. Also, there is a ship at the Lower Bienville Wharf, which still has the metal shed thereon. This was changed in the 90s to make the Woldenberg Riverfront Park. Of course the original gangplank which was rolled back and forth to the boat is pictured. This was replaced when the new wharf was built, about 8? years ago.
The old steam tractor is still visibly displayed on the wharf near the gangplank. This remained there until the late 80s I believe.

Here is one for Judy

Hal Linden's making you a promise - YouTube

Paste this in the browser and enjoy. on youtube this is called "Hal Linden's making you a promise" it is funny how it is described. Here is the description:
Not a lot of people know this, but Hal Linden was a lot more than just TV's 'Barney Miller.' He started his career as Harold Lipschitz, clarinet player and danceband leader. As he reached national fame at a relatively late age, (he was in his mid-forties when the dramedy 'Barney Miller' became an unexpected hit), it makes sense that he'd want to use his newfound exposure to show people his other, gentler side.

(Although you'd be hard-pressed to find a gentler father-figure than Barney Miller. Barney would reprimand his cops like he was bathing a kitten with a warm washcloth. People used to talk about Alan Alda and Phil Donahue as paragons of the sensitive, wussy 70's Liberal Man. But for my money, Hal Linden was always who I thought of as being "stereotypically like that.")

Here he is singing "Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forever' on an apparently abandoned Riverboat, from the 1977 'Captain & Tennille in New Orleans' special. Enjoy!

I found this while looking at "abandoned riverboats", funny I never thought the Natchez would be concidered abandoned. As stated above enjoy!

Judy: I spent several days in 1990 or 91 in NOLA. I rode the NATCHEZ at that time and seemed to remember that was when I took the photo. Doc was Master. I almost posted those dates...good thing I din't! When you got started on your dating post, I thought you were wrong. Then I got to thinking back...I WAS in NOLA for 24 short hours in late January of 1980 after working for a couple of months in St. Francisville! There was no time to ride the NATCHEZ before flying home but I did take the photo at that time. You nailed it~! Ed, interesting post...enjoyed it. Cap'n Walnut

"Abandoned"

Thanks for that Ed. Yes I don't know how the NATCHEZ could be considered abandoned, even in that video, as she is moving through the water, not rotting away aground.... 1977, that was very early in her career. The awnings were put on for the 1985 season and I'm so used to them, it seems strange to see her without. Another change from then to now, and interesting as to why: the white rim on the outer edge of the paddlewheel. That was removed at Buck-Kreihs in 1989. They had removed the wheel and had it up on the dock. They were rolling it, trying to repair that outer ring, and the wheel 'escaped'. They got her in time, but the offending white rim was just pulled off, rather than risk the whole wheel to get it fixed. Another aside to that layup in 1989: the GENERAL JACKSON was across the river at the Todd Shipyard, with John Hartford aboard. He noticed the NATCHEZ' flag at half-staff and called over to find the reason: Capt. Sam Centanni had died.
Tom: good thing you didn't post those '90s dates! I had plenty of evidence agin them! When I was riding the DQ, I could pinpoint the year of most any picture too - I've always noticed details. But no way could I pick out years of the old packets like some of our posters can!