The famed riverboat "Delta Queen" is another of the great attractions awaiting
those attending the 2012 NASG Convention in Chattanooga. She is a steam
powered paddle-wheel steamer now moored across the river from downtown
Chattanooga and was the last of her kind operating on the Mississippi River
until ceasing operations in 2008.
Built between 1925 & 1927, the Delta Queen and her twin "brother", the Delta
King", operated on California's Sacramento River between San Francisco and
Sacramento/Stockton. In 1947 she was brought east via the Panama Canal to New
Orleans where she was renovated. On June 30, 1948 she entered passenger
service on the Mississippi River operating its length north from New Orleans.
The Delta Queen went thru a long list of owners who operated her on the major
rivers of Mid-America. She survived in service, despite the 1966 law
prohibiting wooden ships to carry more than 50 passengers, with each President
from Richard Nixon on signing an exemption to keep her afloat. In 2008,
President Bush refused to sign the extension and the "Queen" was out of
business as a cruse ship for hire... the last of her kind. She was sold yet
again and brought to Chattanooga to serve as a waterborne hotel by the same
group that operates the Delta King Hotel in Sacramento. Those at the 2011 NASG
may remember the King moored along the Sacramento River. The King was
restored after many, many years of sitting nearly abandoned on the river.
The Delta Queen (unlike the King), retains her steam engines and boilers. When
I last saw her she looked just like she had in regular service and they still
kept steam up in one boiler to provide on-board amenities and "blow the
whistle" on occasion. There are groups still trying to get her exemption
restored for a return to passenger service on the river.
One wonderful experience you can still have today is breakfast aboard the
Queen. The public can dine aboard (only by making reservations) for breakfast.
It is a fine time, even if you do not ever leave the dock. Check out the
Delta Queen Hotel Chattanooga website for details.
There's lots to do and see in Chattanooga.
Bob Hogan
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