Delta Queen Steamboat
Location: Tennessee
The Delta Queen is America’s last remaining overnight paddle-wheeled steamboat.
Credit: Jon Tschiggfrie
Built in 1927, the Delta Queen is America's last remaining overnight paddle-wheeled steamboat still operating on the inland waterways. She is a designated National Historic Landmark and has a storied past, including steamer passage on the Sacramento River and service as troop barracks during World War II. Her interior features Tiffany-style stained glass, hardwood paneling, brass fittings, and a grand staircase crowned by a crystal chandelier. Since 1948 the Delta Queen has plied the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, with festive stops at communities along the way. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has offered tours aboard Delta Queen for many years.
Because of her wooden superstructure, the Delta Queen has operated under a statutory exemption from the Safety of Life at Sea Act since the late 1960s, and extensive safety precautions had been implemented by her owners. The exemption had been granted nine times previously, but it expired in November 2008, limiting the number of overnight passengers the Delta Queen can carry to 50, rather than her capacity of 176.
The Delta Queen's grand staircase.
On February 11th, the Delta Queen arrived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to begin service as a floating hotel. This is good news for the boat, keeping her maintained and open to the public, but is only a temporary solution. The Delta Queen's significance rests on her service as an operating vessel, plying America's inland waterways as she has since 1927. For more information, visit: www.save-the-delta-queen.org.
The legendary Delta Queen, whose distinctions include a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, is no longer taking travelers down the mighty Mississippi. From its late 19th-century steam calliope to its grand staircase, this 80 year old grande dame has delighted the generations that have graced her decks. National Trust for Historic Preservation Tours has a long history with this famous steamboat. The very first tour offered to National Trust members was aboard this illustrious paddlewheeler almost 40 years ago.
We encourage you to share your memories of the Delta Queen. Whether you joined us on a National Trust Study Tour, or planned your own trip on this majestic steamboat, we'd like to hear your stories of traveling down the mighty Mississippi.
Tell Us About Your Experiences on the Delta Queen
Submitted by Mat at: January 31, 2010
If I had a choice of going to the greatest hotel on earth or the Delta Queen, I'd pick the Delta Queen!
Submitted by Mat at: January 31, 2010
This Hotel was the best hotel/boat i've ever been to. Maura Phillips is very nice and offering. I don't know if she remembers me ,but I was the one that played the calliope in the late summer. I was invited tocome back in the spring but, she hasn't replied back. Still, It was very nice.(you should put some ice for the tea in the main lobby).
Submitted by Longing hopefully at: January 29, 2010
I have never been on the Queen but have followed her history and te history of other steamboats. I am saddened that Inever got the opportunity to board her, I have finally reached a point in my life where I have the time and funds to have been able to bring my whole family to build valuagble memories and teach some history lessons but alas, the Queen is grounded. Wha can we do to bring back the Queen???
Submitted by Delta Queen Lady at: December 28, 2009
Maybe now with Moe's retirement the Trust can get behind the effort for Congress to grant the exemption she needs to travel our inland waterways again. How about it? Will you lobby Congress now?
Submitted by Sternwheeler owner at: November 10, 2009
I can't imagine the Mississippi, Ohio, and My home The Kanawha rivers without the Delta Queen. I was tied up at the Pomeroy, OH riverfront the last time the majestic DQ paddled down river. The thought of this historically relevant vessel being layed to rest as a floating hotel, upsets me greatly. I hope that the persons responsible for the fate of the DQ can find the: historic, commerce, and personal relevance as moving as I have in my 25 years.
Submitted by Conrad B. at: October 3, 2009
In October 1971 my grand parents, mom, myself, and some other people from our town cruised from St. Paul Minn. to St. Louis Ms. I will never forget this experiance as a 11 year old boy traveling on this magnificent old treasure. I vivedly remember going through the locks and dams along the way and all the people who would come to see the grand lady of the river. We went through Davenport Iowa at night giving a calliope concert of cource and I remember going under one of the bridges while purser Gabe Chengary was playing On Wisconson. The sound of that calliope echoing under that bridge sent chill up my back, it was wonderful. I pray we can get her back in service soon and permanently!
Submitted by Cornan the Iowan at: September 26, 2009
Sad to say, I have yet to get my ride on the Delta Queen. She docked once in my home town when I was there, and in 2000 I happened to cross paths with the Queen while driving my newly purchased power boat from Florida to Texas. For a few lovely minutes I was on the Mississippi with the Queen in New Orleans. I still hope to get that ride some day - somebody please step up and bring this piece of history back to life again. I'd also like to see one of the steel boats built in the 80s and 90s return to service. If I learn one of these boats are back in service I'll find a way to make a cruise.
Submitted by melcha at: September 21, 2009
I have very fond memories of the Delta Queen. The Tooker's lived next door to my grandparents so they were a very important part of my life early on. I loved when they would come back to Cincinnati because we would go down to visit them on the steamboat when they were docked. I loved the music and the grandness of everything that was Delta Queen
Submitted by CBFenton at: September 13, 2009
I remember waking up on a Saturday or Sunday morning in Bellevue, IA to the sound of the Delta Queen steam calliope. Our family would rush to Lock & Dam 13 to catch the candy and coins thrown to the kids assembled by the guests on the boat.These visits from this grand old lady of the river are still vivid in my mind and as I grew older I still enjoyed the view of the Queen on the riverfront in Burlington as I came down the Main Street hill and I enjoyed hearing her steam into and out of port. In the past few years her visits waned as her younger but bigger sisters made the longer trips but there was still always a special feeling in the air when the true Queen of the River came to town. Long live the Delta Queen.
Submitted by Bev at: August 30, 2009
Been on twice the 1st time when it was Dedicated a National Historic Monument there was such fanfare and the Governor of New Orleans gave a speech and the Delugi Fireboat was spraying Red White and Blue water how exciting. I stayed up so late my heart was so happy we also went again had another trip planned but the hurricane hit and we waited we also went on the Grand American Queen which is beautiful and a wonderful trip also was the inugurgal trip but my heart is with the Delta Queen how can they just let it go it is not out in the ocean. Please put it back for all of us who love it so much Thank you