Save the Delta Queen Resolutions
Editor's Note: This is the official list. If you find any cities that have passed resolutions that should be on this list, please send them in!

The folloing cities and organizations have passed Resolutions to save the Delta Queen: Ashland, KY * Borough of Sewickley, PA * Boyd County, KY (Ashland) * Bridgeport, AL * Burlington, IA * Catlettsburg, KY * Chattanooga, TN (Chamber of Commerce) * Cincinnati, OH * Clark County, IN * Clarksville, IN * Columbus, OH * Corydon, IN * Dubuque County Historical Society, IA * Dubuque, IA * East Liverpool, OH * Gallipolis, OH * Grandview, IN * Greenup, KY * Hastings, MN * Heritage Ohio (National Trust affiliate) * Howard Steamboat Museum * Ironton, OH * Kentucky House of Representatives * Keokuk, IA * Lockland, OH * Louisville, KY * Madison, IN * Marietta, OH * Maysville, KY * Natchez, MS * National Rivers Hall of Fame * National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium * New Albany, IN * Ohio House of Representatives * Paducah, KY * Pittsburth, PA * Point Pleasant, WV * Pray for Peace Foundation * Red Wing, MN * St. Paul, MN * Sheffield, AL * Vanceburg, KY * Wabasha, MN * Click here to see a resolution (click the link, then scroll down).










Save the Delta Queen
Scroll down for links to news articles and inside gossip. This log goes back in time, with newest entries at the top.

Paddlewheel Boats Wanted / For Sale
Please send information to Steamboats.com and we will post your notice here. Another good place to look: eBay.

Historic Preservation Blog
For other news (besides the Delta Queen) click here.

Other Save the DQ sites: steamboats.org * save-the-delta-queen.org * savethedeltaqueen.com.





Save the Delta Queen Campaign News
Bookmark this page and come back for Save the Delta Queen updates. . . .


2008 Steamboat Calendars - available now!!

Choose from two designs - one is put out by the Historic Stermwheeler Preservation Society (HSPS), and the other is all photos of the Delta Queen. For ordering information, and to see the calendar photos, click here.





On Dec 15, 2007, at 7:49 AM, Virgil Reynolds wrote:

MAYOR LEWIS - SEEMS IN MY OPINION THAT NOT ENOUGH IS BEING SAID ABOUT THE DELTA QUEEN AND THE DELTA KING AND THE PART THEY PLAYED DURING WW11..WHEN PEARL HARBER WAS BOMBED DECEMBER 7 TH 1941. THE HOSPITAL SHIPS COULD NOT ENTER THE SANFRAN CISCO BAY BECAUSE THE DEPFH OF THE BAY WAS NOT DEEP ENOUGH..THE TWO BOATS WERE TAKEN TO TREASURE ISLAND AND THE WOUNDED WERE TRANSFERED TO THE TWO BOATS AND TAKEN TO HOSPITALS IN SANFRANCISCO..SOME THING WE SHOULD NOT FORGET--GOD BLESS AMERICA--VIRGIL REYNOLDS -I WILL TRY TO SEND YOU A PICTURE OF THE DELTA QUEEN MODEL I BUILT-1/50 SCALE...THANKS FOR LISTENING





On Dec 6, 2007, at 1:58 PM, SHA wrote:

Hi,

I just want to say how much I am in favor of keeping the Delta Queen going as it is. I have enjoyed 5 wonderful trips on it-going back in time; just being quiet; just being on such a wonderful boat. Please add my thoughts to the people who are pushing ahead to keep the DQ going. Other historic sites do not seem to be in the same predicament. We need to SAVE history; there is so little left among the materialistic world. Thanks Sandi Appleby













These are the NEW DELTA QUEEN COINS, just in time for Christmas.

Each coin is 1.5" the size of a Silver Dollar. The prices are as follows:

Coins in plastic container $12.50 each.
Shipping in USA $2.50 for up to two coins.

I will be happy to get a quote to other countries on shipping. There are only 125 of these coins availabale, and they will also be available on EBAY at a different price. If you want one or two of these collectors pieces, order now to insure you will get one. They will not last.

Thank you,
John Lewis
513 Giles Avenue
Bridgeport, AL 35740
256-495-2800
email





On Nov 29, 2007, at 7:49 PM, John Lewis wrote:

In my opinion, "The Safety at Sea Act" means exactly that. SAFETY AT SEA, says it all. No where do you see "Safety on the Inland Waterways or River Act."

The Delta Queen is a Riverboat, made for use on the Inland Waterways or Rivers, and definitely NOT FOR OPEN SEA USE. This law should not apply to the Delta Queen. The draft on the boat is 9.5 ft. If she were to sink, on almost any of the Rivers, you would most likely never get your feet wet if you were standing on the Texas (2nd) deck.

The boat is insured by Lloyds of London. They are VERY thorough in their investigations of what they insure. I am sure they would never think of insuring the Delta Queen, if there were the smallest chance, someone could be hurt or killed on the boat, due to safety issues. The Delta Queen has a modern Radar System, most likely a modern GPS system as well, to instruct the Pilots where the Channel is located without looking for Buoys.

We all need to contact people in California, Texas, New York and some of the larger states, and urge them to contact their United States Congressman, and urge them to support HR3852. We need to explain the Delta Queen is NOT A SHIP, but a RIVERBOAT, and this law should not apply to the Delta Queen. There are Riverbanks on both sides of the boat, ALWAYS! We all need to urge our Cities and Towns, to pass Resolutions to Save a part of our American Heritage, and Nationally recognized Historical Place, the last overnight passenger Steamboat Delta Queen.

The following River states should definitely be passing Resolutions, because the Delta Queen passes through their States. Alabama is one of the largest States the Delta Queen passes through, and not one Congressman is supporting HR3852.Other States that need to support this bill are: Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Okalahoma (Tulsa area), Texas (Galveston area), Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia,and Pennsylvania. California should be in full support, because she came from that State, and played a great role in World War Two, as well as operating as a Passenger Boat on the Sacramento River. Passengers ride from California, New York, Texas, Florida, and many other States. They too should have Congressional support.

We can win this battle and save the DELTA QUEEN IF WE ALL WORK.

Mayor John Lewis
email
[Editor's Note: To see John Lewis' resolution click here and scroll down.





New Delta Queen photos, Oct. 2007, by Nori Muster:













"Another crisis may come to the Delta Queen. It makes little difference. The stately steamboat will survive. Because it must. The river is unthinkable without a Delta Queen."
- The Legend of the Delta Queen, by Bern Keating, published in 1986 by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company





On Nov 29, 2007, at 5:57 AM, Vicki Webster wrote:

Dear Mr. Boyle,

Thanks for getting in touch with me about the Delta Queen. Actually, she has been a National Historic Landmark since 1989, and before that a National Historic Place, but fact alone is not enough to keep her in operation as a passenger-carrying riverboat. She needs an act of Congress to exempt her from a 1966 law that inadvertently lumped her in with seagoing vessels. At the moment we who are fighting to keep the boat running on the inland waterways face two obstacles: One is getting the bill through the Senate and the House of Representatives, over the objections of the two committee chairmen who must okay it before it goes before the members of both houses of Congress. The other is that the current owners, Ambassadors International, Inc. is in dire financial straits and is also unwilling or unable to lend an active hand in the effort.

It's an uphill battle, but we refuse to give up without a fight.

Again, many thanks for your support in the cause!

Best regards,

Vicki Webster
Save the Delta Queen Task Force





What You Can Do to Help

Please send a holiday card to your two U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative. Pour out your heart about the boat and ask them to help save it. A hand written card carries more weight than a fax, email, or phone call. Please tell us if you send a holiday to your elected officials and tell us if they write back.

That's all for now. More updates as they come in,
Nori
Nov. 28, 2007





On Nov 26, 2007, at 5:15 PM, boathistorian wrote:

Hi - I have followed the Ohio River steamboats since I was a kid. I rode the Delta Queen with Fred Way, Jr. standing watch back in 1957. I lived in Huntington, W.Va. at the time and I was a senior in high school and our local river reporter James A. Wallen invited me for the short ride from downtown Huntington (the site of the old Greene Line terminal) to Lock and Dam 27 (I think).

I watched the company go from one owner to another over a period of several years. Always, it was river people who had the best of intentions with a shoestring budget. Yet they kept the DQ running (somehow).

Then came the sale to Coca Cola and we suddenly had a new steamboat designed from the inside out by the fellow who designed the QE2. When the owner in Chicago bought the line it looked good for a while. And we all know where that went.

A little in the mid 80's, the was a company on the West Coast who operated small riverboats and the like. He, too, had big expansion plans. He kept buying bigger and bigger vessels and soon owned a company called Exploration Cruise Lines (anyone remember this line?) which in a matter of three or fours managed to go bankrupt. Imagine my surprise when about three years the same individual began building a huge sternwheeler for cruises to Alaska. That same individual Bob Giesdorf is the principal owner in Majestic America Cruise Line and you're right it's only paper.

Outsourcing is the number one priorities in these companies who have substantial debt. Every month interest on that huge loan has to be paid, And remember, the first indication that a cruise line is having problems is the lack of maintentance on the vessels, the second indication is the experience level of the people whom they hire. Let's hope that v.ships does go into partnership with them but remember that foreign companies cannot be the principal owner of an American vessel. Let's hope this thing goes right.

My best, David Massie former senior editor Passenger Vessel News, columnist for Steamboat Bill.





On Nov 21, 2007, at 7:09 PM, C.G. wrote:

Nori,

While I search for scanner parts to scan Rep. Whitfield's letter to me, here's the crux of his letter (dated 11/14/07):

"...At your request, and because the Delta Queen has an exceptional safety record, I sent a letter with several of my colleagues to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee requesting that they include the Delta Queen exemption in a moving piece of legislation this year. Additionally, I am an original cosponsor of stand alone legislation, H.R. 3852, which will also provide an appropriate exemption for the Delta Queen. Please know that I will continue to work to get this exemption signed into law as soon as possible. I am pleased to support your position on this issue."

I hadn't even mentioned that the Delta Queen has had the same insurer, Lloyds of London , since 1972. Thankfully some Congressmen have common sense.

Chuck


More Save the Delta Queen info., including links to articles, resolutions, other news - click here.





Other News

Delta Queen 2008 Calendar

Tired of waiting for whoever owns the Delta Queen to put out an Annual Calendar?
Think that 2008 might be the last year the Delta Queen ever steams?
So was I - and decided to put out a 2008 Calendar with pictures of only the DQ.
All my photos & going to have printed - already had three printed for myself, my son & Ruth Guenther.
Have your order in by Saturday the 14th of December & have your calendar ready for the 1st of January (maybe in time for Christmas!)
Taking orders until 28th December
Cost $15 per calendar
Phone or e-mail orders to me as soon as possible
John
(513) 385-2381
email










On Nov 18, 2007, at 2:24 PM, HSPS, Inc. wrote:

Looking for a unique and practical holiday gift, or a great collectible?

Our 2008 Steamboat Calendar featuring "Excursion Boats" is available now!




HSPS, Inc (a 501.c.3 non-profit) publishes a Steamboat calendar each year, with proceeds going toward maintenance of the 1923 sternwheel towboat BARBARA H. Our 2008 calendar features early photos of steam excursion boats. The calendar contains 13 large photos printed on heavy card stock, suitable for framing.

Each month features a specific boat along with its history, and a complete calendar page, with holidays marked. The featured excursion boats include:

ISLAND QUEEN (1st)
J.S.
IDLEWILD
J.S. DELUXE
WASHINGTON
ISLAND QUEEN (2nd)
SAINT PAUL
HOMER SMITH
CAPITOL
W.W.
SIDNEY
W.J. QUINLAN

This is the Historic Sternwheeler Preservation Society's seventh calendar, with all proceeds going toward the maintenance of the sternwheel towboat BARBARA H.

Calendar Price: $15.95
Shipping: $4.50 for one; (add $1 for each additional calendar).

Please mail check or money order to:

HSPS, Inc.
11 Ashland Cove Road
Vevay, IN 47043

Online credit card ordering is available from our web site's giftshop at: http://hspsi.org







On Nov 27, 2007, at 8:25 PM, Charles Miller wrote:

Dear Nori,

I wanted to let you know that we lost a valued member of the DQ community who offered an excellent model of both early & late versions of the Delta Queen.

Mr. Dwight Hartman of Hartman Fiberglas passed away Monday afternoon after complications of a stroke. I believe he was 82 years of age & was still laying up hulls several months ago before his stroke. Since he had never progressed into the digital age & had no website, you can get a glimpse of his work & how his craft affected others here. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=775105 I'll put up a photo of his DQ once I scan several photos he sent me in letters I have. Sometime later next year, I will get started on this project later next year once I get a few others out of the way.

Good luck in your continuing efforts to save the DQ! I've sent several letters in as well as contacted friends & family back home in WV to get some momentum going.

Best regards,
Charles Miller


Dear Charles,

Good to hear from you again. In case others can't get into that URL, I will post the photos of Dwight Hartman's models here. Would be happy to post more if you can get them.

Nori



Editor's Note: Go to the Steamboats.com museum to see more models by the late Dwight Hartman click here.





Steamboats Wanted / For Sale / Need Saving

The President

Editor's Note: See museum exhibit for latest news on The President - click here.

On Oct 22, 2007, at 5:42 PM, William Wells wrote:

Well, as I got fired up about the Belle of Louisville, being originally from Little Rock, I would wonder how come you haven't gone after the President, the steamboat based at Iowa City owned by the Isle of Capri. The flywheel is still around and could become a project. There is also the Mary Woods that used to work Potlatch berthed at Newport that needs to come into existence for the tall stacks...and then there is the nature of the steam locomotive sitting apart down in Pine Bluff, Arkansas that if assembled might just generate enough pressure in the head to raise the funds necessary. But one would have to be from St. Louis or at least know what it meant to travel to the Cards to see what makes the ball move...

I think there is a science that can be invoked to make this a reality. How can I assist as I work on my research .

Sincerely,
William J. Wells
Louisville
email





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