That very calliope was the reason Hawley started steamboating: he lived in Charleston as a boy and the calliope player had quit at Huntington. Hawley later drained and winterized the boat's fittings at his own expense before the boat was sold at auction to become the Belle of Louisville: it might never have run again if he hadn't.
I named this video "Avalon calliope" because it used to be onboard the Str. Avalon, powered by steam and not air. In the video, I'm also playing the song entitled "Avalon."
I can tell that the pressure must be very low, since the bells of the whistles are barely above their bowls (low cutups). The output would also be a mere fraction of what it once was on higher pressure and over 4 semitones lower on each whistle than what they blew on steam..
@pianomanthree16 Does anybody on this earth know what happened to the calliope on the Steamer Admiral? No one seems to know. That calliope was brought to the Admiral from the Capitol. And it looks like the one from the President is missing too? Who takes these things?
I Love It. I really envy you I hope I can have a chance to play this instrument it sounds so lovely. It's also nice to finally know someone around my own age that loves the calliope as much as me; sorry I was not able to meet with you very long, but it was great to meet a fellow calliopist.
You're GREAT!! Many years ago, on chill autumn evenings, when Captain Hawley would play this very instrument, I would stand in the steam to keep warm. You, I feel are a third-generation Doc-Hawley-styled cally-opist.
Wow....again I am impressed! I have never seen/heard this calliope other than various recordings on the boat in the 50's. It sounds great and I can't wait to see and hear more of it...please share!
That very calliope was the reason Hawley started steamboating: he lived in Charleston as a boy and the calliope player had quit at Huntington. Hawley later drained and winterized the boat's fittings at his own expense before the boat was sold at auction to become the Belle of Louisville: it might never have run again if he hadn't.
AlanCanon2222 2 years ago
When you say Avalon calliope are you trying to refer to a calliope playing the song Avalon or the calliope from the boat Avalon?
augpeh 2 years ago
I named this video "Avalon calliope" because it used to be onboard the Str. Avalon, powered by steam and not air. In the video, I'm also playing the song entitled "Avalon."
pianomanthree16 2 years ago
Since it used to be powered by steam, what is it powered by now?
augpeh 2 years ago
Capt. Gabe Chengery, the current owner of the calliope, runs it on a shopvac (or some similar thing) on between .5-1 pound of air pressure.
pianomanthree16 2 years ago
@pianomanthree16
I can tell that the pressure must be very low, since the bells of the whistles are barely above their bowls (low cutups). The output would also be a mere fraction of what it once was on higher pressure and over 4 semitones lower on each whistle than what they blew on steam..
acoustics101 1 year ago
Did you know that Avalon was the original name for Belle of louisville?
augpeh 2 years ago
The boat was originally named Idlewild and was renamed Avalon. She gained her current name when bought by Jefferson County.
pianomanthree16 2 years ago
@pianomanthree16 Does anybody on this earth know what happened to the calliope on the Steamer Admiral? No one seems to know. That calliope was brought to the Admiral from the Capitol. And it looks like the one from the President is missing too? Who takes these things?
Shenandoah58 1 year ago
Somebody should buff those whistles, I'll bet they're gorgeous underneath that oxidation.
mortson978 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
no steam? pussies.
Just kidding, no hate mail.
mortson978 3 years ago
Hey Jon,
I Love It. I really envy you I hope I can have a chance to play this instrument it sounds so lovely. It's also nice to finally know someone around my own age that loves the calliope as much as me; sorry I was not able to meet with you very long, but it was great to meet a fellow calliopist.
Stay in touch man, there's not many of us.
indianasteammusic 3 years ago 2
Jon,
You're GREAT!! Many years ago, on chill autumn evenings, when Captain Hawley would play this very instrument, I would stand in the steam to keep warm. You, I feel are a third-generation Doc-Hawley-styled cally-opist.
ShipyardSam 3 years ago
Wow....again I am impressed! I have never seen/heard this calliope other than various recordings on the boat in the 50's. It sounds great and I can't wait to see and hear more of it...please share!
riverexplorer 3 years ago
@riverexplorer Isn't it funny.....if you like the calliope (as I do) you just cannot get enough of it..........
Shenandoah58 1 year ago