I MUST HAVE BEEN ON THE SILVER EAGLE AT LEAST 25 TIMES OVER THE YEARS. I WAS ON THE EAGLE RIGHT AFTER IT OPENED IN EAST DUBUQUE SINCE MY COUSINS LIVED THERE AND I USED TO SPEND THE SUMMERS IN GALENA, IL. (20 MINUTES AWAY).
MOST PEOPLE AROUND IOWA AND IL REALLY WANTED THE SILVER EAGLE TO OPEN BUT WERE AFRAID OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE IT MIGHT ATTRACT. I NEVER SAW ANY SLEEZY PEOPLE ON IT JUST TOURISTS AND HARD WORKING MIDWEST BLUE COLLAR WORKERS.
I WAS ALWAYS SHOCKED THAT MY COUSIN ( WHO LIVED IN EAST DUBUQUE). WOULD JUST WRITE THEM A CHECK FOR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DOLLARS AND THEY WOULD IMMEDIATELY GIVE HIM THE CASH. I WASN’T USED TO SEEING THAT IN CALIFORNIA!

I REMEMBER A COUPLE OF SUMMERS AFTER THE SILVER EAGLE OPENED, THE RIVER WAS AT HIGH LEVELS DUE TO ALL OF THE MIDWEST RAIN AND WHILE THE SILVER EAGLE WAS OUT ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, SHE HIT A HUGE LOG THAT CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGED TO THE PROPELLER.

THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER WAS ALWAYS UNPREDICTABLE AFTER THE WINTERS AND RAIN SO I WAS SHOCKED THE TOOK A BOAT THAT SIZE OUT ON THE RIVER ANYWAY.
AFTER THE TORN UP PROP, SHE WAS OUT OF COMMISSION FOR A WHILE AND I BELIEVE THEY STOPPED TAKING HER OUT ON THE RIVER SOON AFTER AND JUST LEFT HER AT THE DOCK.

SHE WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BOAT....