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Delta Queen in the News
May 17, 2013
Two things are going on simultaneously. First, the exemption from the Safety at SEA laws, and second, who owns the boat. First let us talk about the exemption. In 1966, the Delta Queen was snagged up in a law that was meant for ocean going vessels, which need to be absolutely safe miles out at sea. My father and Betty Blake lobbied Congress that the Delta Queen is always within a few yards of the riverbank. Plus, they upgraded all the safety features to make it as safe as any boat on any river, anywhere.
The truth is, the Delta Queen needs to work to support herself. But she needs an exemption from the Safety at Sea laws and that has to come from elected officials in the federal government. The good news is that there is now a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives:
H.R.1961 - To amend title 46, United States Code, to extend the exemption from the fire-retardant materials construction requirement for vessels operating within the Boundary Line.Our heartfelt thanks go out to Congressman Steve Chabot from Southwest Ohio for introducing the bill, and to the bill's sponsors William Clay from Missouri, Thomas Massie from Kentucky, and Brad Wenstrup also from Ohio.
This is an issue that can unite the country, so if you had already given up on the USA, think again. Everyone from North to South, East to West loves steamboats. This steamboat came from California to settle in the South and she became an ambassador to the South. From 1946 to 2008 the Delta Queen Steamboat welcomed visitors to the South from all over the world, and she is capable of doing so for many years to come. If your first impression of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee is a ride on a paddlewheel steamboat, you will have a strong personal connection to the South for the rest of your life. My first cruise was in 1967. And I'm a Californian who loves the South! Always have, always will. We may not agree on other things, but those are just footnotes compared to this issue.
Supposing H.R. 1961 is successful, a similar bill passes the Senate, and President Obama signs it into law. Then what? Well, that brings us to part two of this situation: who owns the boat. We want it to go to qualified buyers who believe in her and share the goal of seeing her return to cruising. The Delta Queen has lived in jeopardy for five years, facing financial woes. But thankfully, it has been under the loving care of people who give way more of their time than they get paid for, and more of their life savings than they expect to see again. Thank god it did not go the way of the Mississippi Queen (may she rest in peace).
It is too bad that Majestic did not have a government loan. We can see how well the U.S. Coast Guard took care of the American Queen, because she became government issue after the company went into bankruptcy and could not repay the loan. USCG stored the American Queen in a mothball fleet in Texas, and kept the dehumidifiers running the whole time to make her transition back to the cruise business practically seamless.
One reason the Delta Queen has had a hard time as a hotel is that so many who love her are depressed about her situation, all because of the exemption. We knew her as a miracle of mechanical engineering and opulence. If she goes back to the rivers, her fans will follow. On the other hand, the Delta King has succeeded as a hotel. But that boat's history is much different. In 1946, when the Delta Queen went to Mississippi, the Delta King stayed behind in California. He did various jobs, but eventually looked like he was sinking and a tow boat dragged the half submerged boat up and down the river because no port would take him. When the Coyne family came along, they had a vision of rescuing the Delta King and making it the icon of Old Town Sacramento. The Delta King is a miracle because it was given up for dead, then brought back to life. Charlie Coyne told me that it was not actually sinking, but had become stuck under a dock in a rising tide, and took on water. They simply pumped the water out and it was all good.
Whoever ends up buying the Delta Queen, I encourage the bankruptcy court to give them a good deal, considering the lack of maintenance, and the tenuous situation with the exemption. In the end we can get the exemption, and the boat can run again. Enough people hold the vision, but it will still take much work and cooperation. The South will get their sweetheart back, and the people who love her will get borrowed time to make a viable plan for her inevitable retirement, many years from now.
I believe this can be done and must be done. In fact, didn't the country get along a lot better when the Delta Queen was thriving? It was like the ticking of an atomic clock somewhere, knowing that the boat was on her way up a lonely stretch of river with her paddlewheel beating steadily, and always. Call your U.S. Representative and explain that you support H.R. 1961, a bill that will allow the Delta Queen Steamboat to go back into the cruise industry.
Recent Delta Queen Media Reports
City Council member P.G. Sittenfeld in talks to bring Delta Queen back to Cincinnati, May 10, 2013
Bidding War Could Take The Delta Queen Away From Chattanooga, The Chattanoogan
Delta Queen could call Cincinnati 'home', Fox19
Editorial: Congress, save the Queen, May 10, 2013
Cincinnati icon may soon be returning, Business Courier of Cincinnati (blog); Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld is working to bring the
Good Riddance To The Delta Queen - And Response (3) The Chattanoogan, Monday, May 13, 2013. This one is really sad, sad, sad. How did things get this bad?
Groups dueling in effort to buy famed Delta Queen, Chattanooga Times Free Press
Chabot touts bill that would get Delta Queen moving again, Cincinnati.com (blog)
Could The Wheel Turn In Delta Queen's Fortune? Maritime Matters
Delta Queen would greatly benefit Cincinnati | Letters to the Editor, Cincinnati.com, 05/15/13
Investors dueling to buy Delta Queen, timesfreepress.com, Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Delta Queen through the years, a photo essay, cincinnati.com, Cincinnati Ohio News
Massie fights for return of Delta Queen, The Ledger Independent, Maysville, Ohio, May 16, 2013
Delta Queen Steamboat to Try Again for Exemption
May 13, 2013
The Delta Queen is in working order, and has the ability to return to the rivers. There are of course a few things that need updating, but the main thing it needs is permission from our federal legislators. This has been the only reason the boat has been laid up as a hotel. However, all along, many of us have believed that this situation is temporary. The best hope for preserving this historic vessel is to put her back to work carrying passengers. Following are the details of the news, provided by Delta Queen historian, employee, and supporter, Travis Vasconcelos.
How You Can Help Save the Delta Queen On May 9, 2013, at 9:55 PM, Travis Vasconcelos wrote:
Big News from the Delta Queen.
Attention Delta Queen Fans! Efforts are underway to bring the Delta Queen back to overnight river cruise service. Now you have the opportunity to become part of her honorary crew! See details below:
HONORARY CREW MEMBERS OF THE Delta Queen
DQSC, Inc is assembling a special crew to help to rescue, restore and preserve the legendary Steamboat Delta Queen and hopefully, return her to her once regal glory plying the great rivers of America's heartland. The Delta Queen currently serves as a dockside hotel in Chattanooga, TN, and a group of supporters have come together to form DQSC, Inc with the following goals:
1. To purchase the Delta Queen, halting current efforts to move the DQ to the east or west coast to permanently serve as a dockside hotel;
2. To renew the Congressional Exemption allowing the DQ to return to overnight passenger cruise service;
3. To restore and upgrade the DQ (including replacement of the 1919-era boilers), so that she can once again provide river enthusiasts the unique opportunity to visit America's heartland from an authentic early 20th century paddlewheel steamboat;
4. To return to the DQ to overnight passenger cruise service in 2014.
The DQSC, Inc effort is being lead by former Delta Queen Steamboat Company Vice President Cornel Martin who spearheaded the last successful effort to secure the Congressional Exemption extending the DQ's overnight river cruise service from 1998 to 2008, current Delta Queen Hotel operators and care takers Randy and Leah Ann Ingram, and long time Delta Queen supporter Phillip Johnson.
The DQSC, Inc team is making good progress securing needed funding to acquire the vessel and fund marine repairs and upgrades and start-up operations.
The DQSC, Inc team is looking for help with restoration work (mostly on the hotel side) that needs to be completed to preserve the vessel even if she is not able to return to river service or her return is delayed beyond 2014.
If you would like to see the legendary Steamboat Delta Queen preserved for future generations and would like to support efforts to return the Delta Queen to overnight passenger cruise service, please consider becoming a member of the Honorary Crew of the Steamboat Delta Queen.
To become an Honorary Crew Member of the legendary Delta Queen, please email Cornel Martin at cmartin@deltaqueenhotel.com or Leah Ann Ingram at leahann@deltaqueenhotel.com.
Thank you for your interest in rescuing the Delta Queen!
Delta Queen Honorary Crew Membership Levels and Benefits
COMMODORE: $50,000 Contribution
Immediate benefits:
- Three free Hotel nights per month for Commodore Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability
- 50% discount on all onboard purchases and published rates on all other Hotel stays by Commodore Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
- Commodore Level logo merchandise, apparel and recognition.
Additional benefits extended only if the vessel returns to overnight passenger service:
- 10 Complimentary Cruises for Commodore Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Sailing dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability.
- Guaranteed seating at the Captain's table during formal Captain's Dinner.
- Complimentary ground transportation and one free shore tour per cruise.
- 50% discount on all onboard purchases and published rates on additional cruises taken by Commodore Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
CAPTAIN: $25,000 Contribution
Immediate benefits:
- Two free Hotel nights per month for Captain Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability
- 25% discount on all onboard purchases and published rates on all Hotel stays by Captain Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
- Captain Level logo merchandise and apparel.
Additional benefits extended only if the vessel returns to overnight passenger service:
- 5 Complimentary Cruises for Captain Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Sailing dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability.
- Complimentary ground transportation and one free shore tour per cruise.
- 25% discount on all onboard purchases and additional cruises taken by Captain Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
FIRST MATE: $10,000 Contribution
Immediate benefits:
- One free Hotel night per month for First Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability
- 15% discount on all onboard purchases and published rates on all Hotel stays by First Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
- First Mate Level logo merchandise and apparel.
Additional benefits extended only if the vessel returns to overnight passenger service:
- 2 Complimentary Cruises for First Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Sailing dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability.
- 15% discount on all onboard purchases and additional cruises taken by First Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
SECOND MATE: $5,000
Immediate benefits:
- One free Hotel night per month for Second Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability
- 10% discount on all onboard purchases and published rates on all Hotel stays by Second Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
- Second Mate Level logo merchandise, apparel and recognition.
Additional benefits extended only if the vessel returns to overnight passenger service:
- 1 Complimentary Cruise taken by Second Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Sailing dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability.
- 10% discount on all onboard purchases and additional cruises taken by Second Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
DECKHAND - $1,000
- 10% discount on all onboard purchases and cruises taken by Deckhand Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
- Deckhand Level logo merchandise, apparel and recognition.
Additional benefits extended only if the vessel returns to overnight passenger service:
- Onboard recognition with posted brass plaques.
- Exclusive Honorary Crew activities.
- Priority booking and advanced notification of future cruise schedules.
- Priority booking on 14-Day inaugural cruise celebrating the vessel's return to river cruise service.
NOTE: All cruise benefits awarded only if vessel returns to cruise service. Complimentary Cruise benefit is only valid for cruises up to 7 nights in duration.
Steamboats.com Makes News in S&D Reflector 50th Anniversary Issue
Last year, S&D editor David Tschiggfrie contacted me to write an article for their fiftieth anniversary issue. We discussed an article about Steamboats.com, the website, and he liked the idea. Now the issue is out, and I am deeply honored to see my article side by side with articles by old friends and mentors in the steamboat world. Most of all, I love seeing Fred Way, the late, great, alpha scholar of steamboats, on the cover.
This is Fred Way, the main steamboat historian of the twentieth century. I met him several times in the 1960s, when my father used to take me to the Delta Queen for summer vacations.
I recognize nearly all these names, and just want to thank these folks for either contributing to Steamboats.com, or for being great Facebook friends (or both).
This is my article about Steamboats.com, click here to see the whole article - this PDF is rather large and might take a minute to download.
Guestbook Posting
On Feb 27, 2013, at 9:48 AM, shanes812 wrote:
I have a steamboat that i found in my yard while metal detecting it was about a foot and a half in the ground and it appears to be silver but it has great detail in the boat it has a smoke stack with smoke rolling out of it that has a hole in the smoke which appears to be what was a place attaching to a bracelet or neckless it has a paddle wheel at the rear it is all solid no moving parts but i would like to find out it historical position and its value and if it has any ties with a changer in history etc if interested please contact me by email or phone 918-617-7086.
Editor's Note: Shane is looking for information about the value of this interesting item. It is about an inch in size. If you can supply any information, please call or email Shane.
Model Builder Inducted into Steamboats.com Museum
We recently added an exhibit on model builder Lee Anne Ward. At this time she is working on her dream project: the J.M. White. Click here to visit the new exhibit. We plan to add more photos soon.
Recent Acquisitions
Find out more about this painting and see all the new acquisitions in the Dave Thomson Wing of the Steamboats.com Online Museum - click here.
Cincinnati's Steamboat Monument
A replica of the American Queen Steamboat's paddlewheel is the centerpiece of the Cincinnati waterfront steamboat monument.
Photo by Craig Stichtenoth. Click here for the Warren Stichtenoth exhibit at this site.
Help Needed on Value of Steamboat Object
On Jan 13, 2013, at 2:28 PM, Suzanne Gourd wrote:
Hi,
I am Suzanne Gourd, I have an Mirror that was from the Robert E. Lee Steamboat. I am trying to find out the worth, of this item, i may also be interested in selling it, but i need some information. I was in hopes that you may help me or direct me to the proper organization that could.
If you could please contact me back concerning this matter it would be greatly appreciated. The mirror is approximately 5 ft x 3 ft with the original frame and finish.
Thank you for your time.
Suzanne Gourd
email Suzanne
Editor's Note: if anybody has suggestions on the value of this authentic mirror from the Robert E. Lee Steamboat, please contact Suzanne directly.
