Does anyone remember the steamship Ports-O-Call?

[Timon]

Does anyone remember these steam powered rocking beam side wheelers? There used to be two of these boats that cruised Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. One was the Ports-O-Call an the other one was the Osceola. They were used between the MK and Discovery Island (formerly Treasure Island) and for private parties. They were beautiful with teak decks even a bar on the stern deck ( I looked under the cover) polished brass and glassed in engine room. I wonder what happened?

 

[vonpluto]

See:

http://www.bigbrian-nc.com/7seas.htm

 

[Timon]

Thanks, what a great site! Too bad they're gone.

 

[Beek]

Ports & Seas

Greetings! I am reluctantly replying to an ancient post, but in the event you're still looking for info on the Ports &/or Seas, please let me know.

I am a former pilot/engineer on the Ports o Call (steam) and the Southern Seas (diesel/electric), as well as the other boats on the waterways at the time.

It's been about 30 years, but let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Bairstow]

Hi Beek!
Glad to have you with us.

Here's a neat article that people interested in the subject might enjoy: http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2011/02/buena-vista-obscura-world-cruise.html
That's a good blog, btw. The whole thing is worth a read.

 

[MarkTwain]

Greetings! I am reluctantly replying to an ancient post, but in the event you're still looking for info on the Ports &/or Seas, please let me know.

I am a former pilot/engineer on the Ports o Call (steam) and the Southern Seas (diesel/electric), as well as the other boats on the waterways at the time.

It's been about 30 years, but let me know if you have any questions.

That's amazing! Welcome to WDWMagic.

 

[Timon]

If an Orlando Class ship was built would bow and stern side thrusters be a logical addition to such a large ship for docking and going thru the water bridge on windy days?

I've read in a number of places that the width of these ships was limited due to the bridge channel vs the bridge itself.

What's your view?
Disney's late 70's plan for the Orlando Class Steamer -

Really like the idea of a show boat with dinner and dance bar - World Cruise PLUS brought back. I would make the 2nd deck dance hall full width and push up through the 3rd deck for a high ceiling and add a stage (Like the Diamond Horseshoe. If possible have the ship a bit wider and longer nice air conditioned 1st and 2nd floor sections and nice outside areas on the bow and stern an all floors. Since Dinner Shows do well in Orlando this would be a good addition as Disney hasn't added any new Dinner shows since the 70's.

 

[Beek]

If an Orlando Class ship was built would bow and stern side thrusters be a logical addition to such a large ship for docking and going thru the water bridge on windy days?

I've read in a number of places that the width of these ships was limited due to the bridge channel vs the bridge itself.

What's your view?
Disney's late 70's plan for the Orlando Class Steamer -

Really like the idea of a show boat with dinner and dance bar - World Cruise PLUS brought back. I would make the 2nd deck dance hall full width and push up through the 3rd deck for a high ceiling and add a stage (Like the Diamond Horseshoe. If possible have the ship a bit wider and longer nice air conditioned 1st and 2nd floor sections and nice outside areas on the bow and stern an all floors. Since Dinner Shows do well in Orlando this would be a good addition as Disney hasn't added any new Dinner shows since the 70's.

[sorry for the late reply....it's only been 11 months! ;-0 ]Timon, you are correct that the maximum size for the WDW "armada" was limited to the dimensions of the waterbridge (and of the support facilities in Dry Dock). All of the ferryboats and the Southern Seas had the same dimensions: 120' x 34'10". Your proposed 3rd deck would not be viable due to clearance under the monorail beam, and -- with the previous dimensions given -- a third deck would make the vessel much too top-heavy for its length, width, and draft restrictions.

A re-build of a cruise boat (with the original 2 floors) will probably not happen. Unfortunately, at the time of its demise, the Moonlight Cruise was barely "afloat" financially-speaking (pun intended). A bit of marketing for the Moonlight Cruise would have done wonders, but I'm a bit prejudiced in that opinion.

The Moonlight Cruise *WAS* a blast. Both to work, and as a guest.

 

[Beek]

Hi Beek!
Glad to have you with us.

Here's a neat article that people interested in the subject might enjoy: http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2011/02/buena-vista-obscura-world-cruise.html
That's a good blog, btw. The whole thing is worth a read.

Thanks! I've seen this blog. I also worked with Greg Chin and Jeff (contributors to this article).

I always enjoy re-living the old days on the water!

 

[Beek]

Does anyone remember these steam powered rocking beam side wheelers? There used to be two of these boats that cruised Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. One was the Ports-O-Call an the other one was the Osceola. They were used between the MK and Discovery Island (formerly Treasure Island) and for private parties. They were beautiful with teak decks even a bar on the stern deck ( I looked under the cover) polished brass and glassed in engine room. I wonder what happened?

Timon, just to clarify: The original side-wheelers on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon were "Osceola class" vessels. Their names were the "Ports O' Call" and the "Southern Seas". I'm sure you've learned that the original "Southern Seas" had an unfortunate accident, and was scrapped. Replacing that boat was a diesel-electric boat ALSO called the "Southern Seas". We refer to them by the nomenclature "Southern Seas (I)" or "Southern Seas (II)", to differentiate between them.

The Southern Seas (II) was a "Seminole-Class" ship, vs an "Osceola-Class" for the Southern Seas (I).

 

[Timon]

Wow this was an old thread from the past.

Times have changed at WDW's since the late 80's and early 90's and maybe a Dinner Show would sell. WDW has 17 or more hotels today vs 4-5 back then. The age old problem of what do you do in the evening and of course the big sell for something new/different.

Looking at the Orlando-class Disney blueprint the 3rd deck appears to just the equivalent of railings on a roof so without proper plans this ship might not much taller then the Seminole-class. The channel and boatlift would be a problem. The boat lift is 40 years old and if a ship were built this size maybe a real drydock with a shed roof could be built for her to provide weatherproof protection.

As a side note - When the DVC addition to GFL was started they filled in a portion of the 7 Seas Lagoon (evil) but mean while over in Bay Lake, to the right of the Water Bridge the lake was enlarged to compensate for the loss. This got my brain gears creaking, most of the length size problems is the zig zag through the channel which could be straightened for the larger ship and general safety.

Overall this would be a cool ship and a nice revival for big ships at WDW.
Orlando-class

Osecola-class - Port-o-call Picture railings on the roof.

Straighten channel

New Sry Dock