Monday, November 9, 2015

Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river


I, Sweet William The Scot, want to show you something.
We have to follow these plaques.  They are smokestack plaques of a bygone era when paddlewheel and steamboats went up and down the Ohio River daily. 
This plaque tells of  the Robert E. Lee, nicknamed the "Monarch of the Mississippi," was a steamboat built in New Albany, Indiana in 1866.
Sidewheel Packet Buckeye State.
 Set the all-time steamboat speed record of 43 hours between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in May 1850
 Louisville and Cincinnati mail packet steamer "Jacob Strader".
The "Jacob Strader" was a troop carrier during the Civil War and was dismantled in 1866.
If you follow all the plaques which are dozens you get to this,
The National Steamboat Monument!
This monument is a reminder of the steamboat heritage of Cincinnati.
At the height of the riverboat era, in the mid 1800s, 8,000 riverboats a year, an average of about 22 per day, docked near this spot.
 The Monument is topped by a the original 30-foot diameter paddlewheel of the American Queen, the largest overnight passenger steamboat to be built in the last half century.  We have watched it pass by our city many times.  Lee would love to take a cruise on the American Queen.



Beneath the bright red wheel are two dozen stainless steel columns, or torchiers, built to represent smokestacks. Photo sensers set off steam jets that whistle and hiss through these stacks when a person passes them.
This center circular plaque tells you which way to walk to get them to play.  You have to walk in the order it states and you cannot do it slow.  But it is fun to hear them go off.  I got my ears up because they are playing now as Lee runs around.  Lee is being silly.
During the Civil War The Navy Department had under contract a man who had experience in designing river craft, one Samuel M. Pook.  Seven gunboats were made. The seven gunboats in the class were named for cities on the Mississippi or its tributaries. They were: USS Cairo, Carondelet, Cincinnati, Louisville, Mound City, Pittsburg, and St. Louis.
Their awkward appearance struck the fancy of the farm boys who saw them, and they christened them "Pook's Turtles."  
We like to read the history of the boats that traveled the Ohio.
 If you don't want to walk along you can rent bikes and wheel carts of all kinds to peddle around our riverfront.  It makes for a fun time. See the BB Riverboats in the background.
You pass by the Great American Ball Park on the winding banks of the Ohio River.  Home of the Cincinnati Reds.  The ballpark officially opened for the 2003 season.  The ballpark has smokestacks which shoot fireworks when the Cincinnati Reds get a home run.
 The sign for the All Star Game is still up with Mr. Redlegs face.
The truck was parked at the top of the Stadium.  How in the world did it get up there.  That takes talent.
These are the BB Riverboats.  Dining Cruises, sight seeing cruises, private charter, weddings.
Lee has done their dining cruises which she enjoys.
Now this man we see often on the river.
What a way to travel the mighty Ohio River.
Well see you next week! 
Thanks for being a  friend
Traveling down the road and back again
Your heart is true and your a friend of  mine
Signing Off 
Sweet William The Scot

 

25 comments :

  1. Thanks for sharing your outing. What cool places to visit.

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  2. Ringy-Dingy-dun, you always make Nati City history FUN, Sir Williams! It seems your city has a long history of boats and ships. I like the memorial park with the columns that toot; I bet that makes some silly noise when you run around it. Thanks for sharing another spot in your wonderful Nati City.
    Your friend...until the end
    Oz

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  3. We love history and this was so interesting! It's cool to visit the past, isn't it? Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  4. William that was great to read! My mommas greatest dream is to ride on such a river boat.... and I'm sure she would enjoy it as much as your Lee. Are dogs allowed on board too?

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  5. Oh wow, I would luffs to ride on a steam boat as well...will you take me wiv you Lee, pleeeeease? They look like sooo much funs
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  6. Your momma just always has the neatest stories and pictures sweet will, she takes you to the bestest places, I go to the grocery store. stella rose

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  7. The sign is still up? You have nothing on us. We still have signs along the freeways that promote the 100th anniversary of Arizona statehood. Arizona became a state on February 14, 1912. I think they're going to leave them up until 2112 when they can just paste a piece of paper saying "bi" and put it before "Centennial"

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  8. We are moving in with you! Those are some adventures
    Lily & Edward

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  9. Very interest stuff. I think I would like to dine on a steamboat.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  10. there is something so timeless about Paddle Boats - we had many of them back home in Australia and even today there are couple of hotels that are paddle boats and you can go on a whole week cruise of them

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  11. Oh it is great to hear about the times that have past and yet are still here. Mom would love to take a trip on a paddle wheel

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  12. Super interesting about all those amazing boats Sweet William. I wouldn't mind a trip down the river, especially a 'dining cruise', just so long as no-one tried to make me go near the water…
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie.
    PS Gail says she is hoping one day to take part in a quiz where they have questions about Cincinnati, so she can astonish everyone with her mysteriously acquired in-depth knowledge of the city. Keep the reports coming, SW!

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  13. SHE always wanted to cruise the Mississippi, but was disappointed to find you can only do part of it at a time. We had a friend's kid who used to sing 'waiting for the Robert E Lee' as waiting for the robbers to leave.

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  14. How cool and beautiful!! Momma loves Riverboats.

    xoxo,
    Ginger, Matt & Matilda

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  15. Oh we would love to hear the music from those stacks! How fun! thanks once more for sharing your beautiful city
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

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  16. Oh, those stacks are FABulous!! Whoevers thought of that should gets a margarita!!! I loves your tours, and I thinks you live in a FABulous city fursure!
    Oh,and I thinks Puddles parked that truck up there....just sayin'.....
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  17. You should be like a for real history teacher!! This was pawsome. I hope Lee is feeling good.


    Ziggy Out!!

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  18. Hari OM
    Oh that is just fabulous history and viewing SW!!! Like Bertie and his Gail, I think you are a grrrreat tour guide! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  19. Thanks so much for the tour, Sweet William... we luvs learnin' all 'bout yer fair city and its history!

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  20. Sw. William your city has the most amazing parks and areas for walking and learning.
    Hugs madi and mom

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  21. Thank you for showing us around William. You are a pawesome tour guide!

    Wyatt

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  22. We always love learning about what your great city has to offer.

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  23. My dogness, growlmy is so behind...
    But still even though I am late, you delivered a wonderfur tour! You do live in a most interesting region, and I thank you fur sharing it with us.
    Woofs!

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