Coulee Subsection Meeting: Cruise on the Julia Belle Swain Steamboat

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We are joining the La Crosse Area Chapter of ASHRAE kicking off the 2007-2008
year with a cruise on the Julia Belle Swain. Music will be furnished by the La
Crosse Area Songwriters. Ed Keuper, who has been enjoying his retirement from
Trane by working as an engineer on the Julia Belle Swain, will give a short
explanation of the steam propulsion system.

The Julia Belle Swain (www.juliabelle.com) was constructed in 1971 in Dubuque ,
Iowa , with the express purpose of duplicating as much as possible the Western
Rivers Packet Boat style of about 1850-1880. To propel the boat, the
two-cylinder Gillette and Eaton steam engine was removed from the retired car
ferry "City of Baton Rouge " and fitted onto the stern of the Julia Belle
Swain. The 12 in. bore, 60 in. stroke engine was built in Lake City , Minnesota
in 1915 and was operated on the City of Baton Rouge until its retirement in
1967. The steam engine and paddle wheel on the boat are the only means of
propulsion, and in this regard the boat is unique on the Mississippi River
system. All four of the other true steam boats on the river have underwater
thrusters of some sort.

The discounted cruise price is available to members of ASHRAE and other
engineering societies, spouses, and guests who are interested in engineering or
the operation of a steamboat. The cruise will also be open to the public at the
regular price of $31.60 with tax.

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* 4:30 PM boarding begins,

* 5:30 boat departs from levee,

* 5:30 – 7:30 cruise and dinner

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