We rode out hurricane Katrina in our home in Mandeville, a few miles
north of Lake Ponchartrain.  Having switched over to generator power
about 4:00 A.M. in the morning before the storm, we were able to get
continuous reports from television channel 4, WWL-TV.  Monday morning,
after the winds died down, news reports were that "New Orleans had
dodged the bullet."

We had only minimal roof and tree damage at my house; however, we were
concerned about my parent's house where the collection of instruments
is housed.  Since my parents live closer to Lake Ponchartrain than I,
we had decided (in preparation) to elevate each instrument as high as
possible with a forklift truck and blocking.

That Monday afternoon, my two sons and I loaded the chain saws in the
big backhoe/front end loader and with hard hats, goggles and rain gear
we started our trip.  It took hours to travel only about two miles
through the tangle of downed trees and debris.  Although the buildings
that house the instrument collection had suffered structural roof
damage, there was no water damage from the bottom or the top of the
instruments -- the collection had been spared.  We covered everything
with tarps and headed home.

By the time we had returned to my home the news from New Orleans had
changed.  Most everyone is familiar with the drama that played out
following flooding of the city.  Of course we felt sorrow for all of
the personal suffering that took place.  I also thought of the property
loss and knew that some of the instruments that I had restored were
under water.  Many fine antiques were totally destroyed: there is now
one less Weber Unika and one less Wurlitzer 105 (just to name a couple).

I also thought about the Wurlitzer Style 105 band organ that was on
the carousel at New Orleans City Park.  It sat at the center of the
carousel upon a well constructed platform about two feet above the
floor.  Luckily, the platform and floor supported the organ for the
duration.  The flood water almost reached the casters attached to the
skids at the bottom of the organ.  It sat perched above a sea of salt
water for weeks but it survived!  The carousel horses survived also
although some did sustain foot and leg damage.

The organ had not played for some years before the storm.  It was
silenced because the suction pump failed and there were not funds
in the park's operating budget for the organ repair.  Just prior to
Katrina, I had been contacted on behalf of a potential donor to repair
the organ.  Now, after the storm, the entire carousel has received
a "face lift" and the same generous donor wants to have the organ in
operation when the ride has its grand opening.

Part of the work to be completed includes new artwork on the facade.
The organ has glass instead of the customary wire mesh in front of
the pipework.  The park personnel want the pipe work to be visible to
the public but protected.  Because the glass cuts the sound level too
much, it will probably be replaced with some type of expanded metal.
The pipework includes brass piccolos in a prominent up front position.
The cymbal is mounted on top of the organ in the same fashion as a
Style 125.

The artist who is performing the work on the front of the organ has
requested color pictures of similar units from which she can restore
the front of this organ.  The entire front is currently painted white.

If someone could send via email any pictures, it will be greatly
appreciated.

Don C. Elbers,
in balmy Mandeville, Louisiana, across the lake from New Orleans