The riverboat captain is a storyteller, and Captain Don Sanders will be sharing the stories of his long association with the river — from discovery to a way of love and life. This is a part of a long and continuing story.
By Captain Don Sanders
Special to NKyTribune
The AMERICAN QUEEN slipped around Aurora Bend last week. I almost ignored her, but I’d promised Barb Anderson, downriver in Rising Sun, she would hear from me once the QUEEN passed and was heading her way. And if it hadn’t been for Taylor Abbott, who happened to be aboard and sent a message via social media that the boat was “looking at Aurora,” I would’ve missed the whole show. Instead, when Peggy and I hurriedly started the truck, smoke rising above the trees further downhill on our street wafting from the AQ’s stacks informed us that the steamboat had several minutes yet, to pass.
As the truck continued alongside a low stonewall, once a part of the ancient, long-gone Crescent Brewery, a wimpy whistle salute aroused an excited crowd gathered in Lesko Park to witness the transit of the “largest steamboat ever built.”
As the AMERICAN QUEEN approached Mile 500 of the Middle Ohio River with her tall stacks folded on deck, the steamer was high-stepping down the Ohio from Cincinnati, where it had departed several hours earlier after completing a Pittsburgh round trip a few days prior. According to rumors, the AQ will cease to visit the Upper Ohio for the foreseeable future, stretching God-only-knows how many years away.
So, for gawkers of my generation, this may have been the last gasp many of us see of her – a likely probability accounting for the many over-60s in the murmuring crowd as the fancy gal turned her rooster-red tail toward the townsfolks with a departing spray from her monumental paddlewheel.
I’m sorry, but I haven’t the faintest notion about the QUEEN’s scheduling. Whenever I had a question concerning the AMERICAN QUEEN, I used to turn to Madison Berry. But my young steamboat buddy passed away a year ago with the anniversary of his demise falling while the AQ made its way down the Ohio. Had Madison been available, he would have set me straight.
Speaking of Madison Berry, a picture he painted of the BELLE OF CINCINNATI, the flagship of BB’s Riverboats of Newport, Kentucky, reappeared on the internet recently, seven years after its feature debut in an art show at Paducah’s Western Kentucky Community Technical College School of Art & Design. According to the response the painting received, it would have done well in an auction had Madison’s artistry been available for purchase.
Captain Terri Bernstein of the Cincy BELLE commented, “I love it! I wish I had that picture! I would put it up on the boat.”
What I find especially meaningful is how beloved and respected the young riverboat enthusiast remains a year after his departure, even though he never worked on a boat, was related to anyone who did, and only spent one ride on the AMERICAN QUEEN. Recent rumors on the traditional and electronic “sternline telegraph” speak of an interest in memorializing Madison with a bronze plaque on his hometown riverfront at Paducah.
Let’s suppose those thoughts eventually become more than a verbal expression of wishful thinking. In that case, I hereby go on record pledging at least one government-issued “C-Note” toward the project bearing the likeness of that printer fellow from Philadelphia who, according to legend, grabbed ahold of a lightning bolt and was the American favorite with the ladies of the Parisian Court.
Earlier, I mentioned that the AMERICAN QUEEN is the “largest steamboat ever built” for the Western Rivers, as the Mississippi River and its tributaries are called. As authorized by the U. S. Coast Guard, the steamer can carry 436 overnight passengers in 122 staterooms with a crew of 160. Back during my DELTA QUEEN sailing days, she had the Coast Guard’s blessing for 192 overnight paying passengers with a crew of 75. The more folks a boat can hold, the more moola it can generate. Conversely, the more passengers, the more crew and other expenses are necessary.
What I’m wondering is, would a much smaller vessel running in the overnight trade with far fewer passengers and crew be practical? And if so, how many fewer folks could a smaller boat carry to be profitable enough to continue running?
The number 49 comes to mind as a vessel carrying 49, or less, passengers would be exempt from the SOLAS, or the “Safety of Life at Sea,” the same set of safety standards that have kept the DELTA QUEEN jumping through hoops since the late 1960s. Could a riverboat of whatever size be operated profitably in a trade catering to 49 folks with fares cheaper than what the larger boats are commanding these days?
There’s a considerable amount of information to be researched with many reams of questions that need answers. Answers are a commodity I don’t have, but I am intrigued by the possibilities. What do you think? Let me know what your ideas are on this idea. Who knows? Perhaps if it’s your suggestion that helps find fruition, you may discover yourself and a guest aboard for the maiden voyage with the compliments of the company.
What company? If I had a say-so in naming an overnight riverboat company for these Western Rivers, I would likely call the operation “The Old Greene Line,” and I’d promote it like Cap’n Betty, Ernie Wagner, Letha Greene, Doc Hawley, and Bill Muster taught me – as I did to make Can-Do Recycling, back home, a success. With the right people on the boat and in the office, 49 passengers could make such a boat sing.
Do you agree? Let me know and get your name in the hat for a free trip.
Captain Don Sanders is a river man. He has been a riverboat captain with the Delta Queen Steamboat Company and with Rising Star Casino. He learned to fly an airplane before he learned to drive a “machine” and became a captain in the USAF. He is an adventurer, a historian, and a storyteller. Now, he is a columnist for the NKyTribune and will share his stories of growing up in Covington and his stories of the river. Hang on for the ride — the river never looked so good.
Wish I had some original and doable ideas for that company. All I can manage is a “I’m in for a trip on a small vessel, with fewer fellow passengers!”
Also wish I could have met Madison. His enthusiasm and knowledge were remarkable.
I enjoy reading about the history of the riverboats. Thanks for including musings about Madison Berry and his art!
I agree! Capt. Don’s call for smaller overnight boat thoughts from the readers dredges a long-held dream of mine. As a former Green River towboater still with a fondness for that stream and its history and if I were sufficiently wealthy, I would build a real steamboat that is a replica of one of the Green River packet boats circa the late 1800s through the early 1930s. The steamers BOWLING GREEN, EVANSVILLE, or CHAPERON are examples to design a new steamboat to once again echo a whistle up and down that quaint valley. This has not happened since the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE made a tramping trip on the Green River back in 1964. Just as with those original Green River steamboats, passengers could board in Evansville, IN and other towns along the way. Where once Mammoth Cave and/or Bowling Green, KY were destinations, alas, the modern trip would have to turn around at mile 108 at L&D 3 Rochester, KY, which is decommissioned, as are L&Ds 4-6 and Barren River L&D 1. I am all-in on the concept of a smaller, more affordable, overnight boat no matter her home port and rivers to travel. Powering by diesel or diesel-electric would be much more practical and economical than by steam. I always round-to in my dream to the reality that “no bottom” deep pockets would be required to fund my steamboat pipe dream more as a hobby rather than for profit. Company name? How about “The New Greene Line-Affordable River Cruises (NGL-ARC)? All that said, please do put my name in that hat!
Thanks Donald . I luv reading your stories.