| Sources |
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 17 Apr 2015.
Upland Chronicles: Smoky Mountain Queen sailed to New Orleans
CARROLL MCMAHAN
The Smoky Mountain Queen floated from Sevierville to New Orleans as part of the Bicentennial celebration in 1976.
Carrying the message "Happy Birthday America," a flatboat, the Smoky Mountain Queen, docked at Poydras Street Wharf in New Orleans on Saturday May 29, 1976, after a 1,600-mile trip along the rivers of mid-America.
The flatboat and its crew traveled the Little Pigeon, French Broad, Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi rivers for an epic 35-day journey, with New Orleans their destination, as part of the Bicentennial celebration of the people of Sevier County.
Greeted at the wharf by New Orleans dignitaries and members of the Sevier County Bicentennial Committee, the crew of 16 was given a welcome that included a salute from the New Orleans Police Department's band.
About 50 Sevier Countains, along with former UT football standout Hank Larcella and other dignitaries, were also waiting at the wharf. After receiving the key to the city, crew members were taken to the Royal Sonesta Hotel, where they enjoyed gumbo, raw oysters and other ocean delights.
Modeled after the original flatboats used by settlers in Sevier County, the riverboat was equipped with a potbellied stove, sleeping accommodations for five and, for steering, a pole resembling a huge ax.
Unlike the originals, the Smoky Mountain Queen had two outboard motors to power her. The flatboats of the late 18th and early 19th centuries were used to carry cargo to the markets downriver.
The Smoky Mountain Queen was built to demonstrate the importance of these boats in trade. The usual cargo was skins, furs, beeswax and forest products, along with corn, potatoes, whiskey, bacon, cider, tobacco and beef. The noticeable cargo on the Queen was the whiskey and a mascot-alarm clock, Rudy the Rooster.
The flatboat had a constant crew of two, photographer Michael Hoban and John B. Waters III, with an alternating crew of approximately 28. The boat hosted occasional visitors, who rode for a few miles and then took a bus or hitchhiked back to their hometowns. Traveling by daylight, the flatboat averaged 50 miles per day, usually at between seven and 10 miles per hour.
The flatboat was forced to shore only once during the five-and-a-half week journey, as rain and strong winds prevailed. The weather showed its strength on the Mississippi, as waves pushed their way into the deck of the flatboat.
Leroy Dyer, captain at the time, put ashore in Angola, La., at the banks of Angola Prison. At several points along the way, the Queen was offered assistance from passing tow boats.
Along the route, crew members were welcomed with keys to cities, Bicentennial medals, certificates of appreciation, meals and, at one location, even the loan of an automobile.
Days, which began as early as 4:30 a.m., were kept busy with preparing meals, cleaning, and navigating the flatboat. All meals were made on a two-burner stove. About half the nights were spent in motels along the way. Nights on board were occupied by banjo picking, cards or just watching the river.
Twelve members were on board when the vessel arrived in New Orleans. In addition to Hoban and Waters, who made the entire trip, crew members were Leroy Dyer, Alvin Hodge, Randy Sykes, Chris Sykes, John Waters Jr., John Sonner, Fred Raymond, Richard Lykens, Bill Parsons and Harold Romines.
Press coverage was good along the river, with many interviews and photographs. In Baton Rouge, three television stations were on hand to cover the historical event.
On Sunday, May 30, the Smoky Mountain Queen passed in front of Jackson Square at noon to give New Orleans residents a viewing opportunity. Although the original flatboats were either sold or torn up after reaching their destination, because of the trouble traveling upriver, the 6,000-pound, 10-foot-wide, 30-foot-long Smoky Mountain Queen was taken back to Sevierville by the U.S. Army Reserve.
The trip originated in the mind of John B. Waters Jr., who served as captain through many miles of water. His idea was researched, proposed, accepted by the Bicentennial Commission, and praised by others across the state.
It not only floats…it drives like a Cadillac! That was the opinion of those who water-tested the Smoky Mountain Queen on Sunday, April 11, 1976, at the Douglas Dam boat dock. Eleven crewmen shoved off to check for leaks, engine power, buoyancy and other such items in preparation for the forthcoming trip to New Orleans.
A project of the Sevier County American Revolution Bicentennial Commission was scheduled to shove off on the Little Pigeon River, Sunday April 25. On Saturday, the 24th, Sevier County residents were invited to attend the christening of the Smoky Mountain Queen at Sevier County Fairgrounds. A festival of square dancing and general hoedown was held.
On Monday June 7, 1976, the Smoky Mountain Queen made her triumphant return to Sevierville. The welcome-home party took place on Court Street centered around the county courthouse, where a crowd awaited the procession.
Crew members were awarded certificates by their captain, and a speech was delivered by County Judge Ray. L. Reagan. Tina Maples Ogle sang her original ballad in honor of the Queen and her crew. Her ballad was highly emotional because her stepfather, Bill Blackwell, who had helped build the flatboat, died suddenly at age 36 two months before its completion.
Sevier County perhaps never received so much favorable publicity as was brought by this project. Television, radio, and newspaper accounts of the excursion were carried across the Midwest. The Smoky Mountain Queens's voyage could not have been more of a success.
Carroll McMahan is special projects facilitator for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce and serves as Sevier County historian.
The Upland Chronicles series celebrates the past of Sevier County. Contact Carroll McMahan at 453-6411 or cmcmahan@scoc.org; or Ron Rader at 604-9161 or ron@ronraderproperties.com.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name Bride's First Name Bride's Maiden Name County Date of Marriage File #
WATERS JOHN B ELIZABETH [NOT GIVEN] KNOX 10-27-1984 43577
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
WATERS, JOHN B. HORN, ELIZABETH OAKS 1984-10-27
|
Search | Advanced Search
1955 - (69 years)
, d. 14 Apr 2018 (Age 88 years) 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
= Link to Google Maps