Living on the banks of the Ohio River most of us are familiar with the sternwheel steamboat called the Delta Queen. For some years now she has majestically passed by here on cruises. She is the last of her kind that is authentic. She has a steel hull and a wooden superstructure and because of that superstructure this year might be her last for passengers to travel on overnight cruises. Since 1968 or 1971, depending on who you listen to, she has been living on borrowed time with a Presidential exemption. That exemption expires in November unless Congress extends it. She was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
The Delta Queen has a rich history dating back to 1926 when it was assembled in Sacramento, CA, and put into service on the Sacramento River making regular runs between Sacramento and San Francisco. She was originally owned by the Delta Steamboat Co. which was founded in 1890. Her original engines were manufactured in Dumbarton, Scotland. At one time she was a sister ship to the Delta King.
She was laid up in 1940 with the improvements of the highway system out there. The Navy used her in San Francisco Bay during WWII. In 1946 she was purchased by a Cincinnati firm, towed through the Panama Canal and up the rivers to be refurbished in Pittsburgh. In 1948 she was once again put into service plying the Mississippi, the Ohio. the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers carrying overnight passengers on cruises. If she hasn't already done so she will passing here again either today or tomorrow en route to Pittsburgh.
This coming Saturday there will be a tribute to her starting at 5 P.M. in Pittsburgh at the North Shore Riverfront Park near the Ft. Duquesne Bridge. Songs on her steam-powered calliope will precede remarks and special presentations. She will then be departing Pittsburgh at 6 P.M. with a special calliope concert. It should be something to see and hear.
According to the Majestic America's web page the Delta Queen will be making trips to Pittsburgh once a month through October. Meanwhile they have a bill currently in Congress to get that exemption extended. Over the years they have made various safety improvements and to this day they vigorously train their personnel in safety measures. It would be a sin to lose this national treasure. Following is what Congressman Charlie Wilson had to say on the subject.
"As you are aware the Delta Queen is the nation’s last operational overnight steam paddle-wheeler. Since 1968, Congress has allowed the boat to operate without fire safety standards. The last exemption was passed in 1996 and expires this year. I understand the importance of saving this National Historic Landmark, which hundreds of people have enjoyed over the many years. That is why I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 3852, which aims to extend the exemption through November 1, 2018. This legislation has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. In addition, I voted in favor of a motion to recommit the Coast Guard Authorization Act back to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to include the exemption for the Delta Queen in the bill. Unfortunately, this motion was rejected by a vote of 195-208. Rest assured I will continue to work in Congress to make sure this important part of American history is saved. "
That was part of the text in response to an e-mail I sent him. Thanks Charlie. Let's hope H.R. 3852 has a favorable outcome.
God save the Queen...
ole nib
7 comments:
Is there anyway to find out if/when the Delta Queen will float by Wellsville? I'm new to the area and I would love to see it, just in case it doesn't get the Congressional extension.
She departs Pittsburgh tomorrow at 6 P.M. It will probably be well after dark before she gets down here. It's a slow moving vessel. She'll be back in the early part of June. You can go to majesticamericaline.com and get the whole schedule. I couldn't find any contact number for the ship itself. Hopefully someone can help us out here.
ole nib
On my way to work last night, it was going through the New Cumberland Locks and Dam. That was around 7 p.m.
Anything goes until everything is
gone. The Delta Queen is a treasure. Good Luck Charlie, I hope you succeed.
Don't it always seem to go we don't know what we got 'til it's gone? Pave Paradise and put up a parking lot. Doot,doot-doot-doot-doot. Dooot-doot-doot-doot-doot.
Gawker,
Being new to the area, just curious: what brought you to our lovely valley and what are your thoughts so far about it?
I'm glad someone did a mural of the Queen. I never thought of her not going up and down the river in the summer. I've been watching her all my life. I hope we aren't left with only the mural to remember her by.
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