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Here’s the next Chattanooga Times Free Press installment: CLICK HERE.

 

Final Finished With Engine

I have so much more to share about the journey. I just need a few days to transcribe my notes and wrap up the business around here.

Eric Hadley has filmed many other terrific segments that will take just a few days to get edited and uploaded. Check back soon.

But for those of you hopeful for an update, here is a powerful one.

After docking at her new home at Chattanooga’s beautiful Coolidge Park, many of us gathered in the Engine Room. Captain Finley finally made the call and gave the signal. Here is the video I shot on my little camera of the final ring on the Engine Order Telegraph to signal Finished With Engine. Many tears were shed and hugs were shared.

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We all are hopeful that the old DQ will fire up and cruise again. We are glad to hear that her engines will be inspected regularly by Chief Fred to verify her wellbeing. But it was incredibly powerful to stand there with fellow crewmembers and realize that we might be witnessing the end of a chapter of American history. I am so proud that I served aboard this vessel and that I experienced this very special place and the people that helped make her great.

Now the Delta Queen shifts to a new chapter in her career. I am thankful that she will be cared for and that she will be open to the public. Perhaps another generation will yet have the opportunity to come aboard and learn about the incredible adventures of the Delta Queen and the significance of steamboat history to America.

-END-

 

Wilson Lock Transit

Eric Hadley shot and produced this incredible time-lapse video of the lockage through the Wilson Lock, which was about 97 feet at this stage. Really cool! Enjoy.

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Fri 12:15pm – Mile 117 above Mobile

Just passed marker 117 as we went through the first of 12 locks on our way up to the Tennessee River. Weather is great. Water level is good. This is a very rural and a lovely stretch of river. Lots of work going on aboard. Cleaning, polishing, etc. to prepare the boat. The DQ looks terrific. She’s in wonderful shape and there is much love being given to her by a crew of both professionals and many volunteers.

More to come as internet service allows.

 

Across the Intercoastal Waterway

Here’s our next installment crossing the Intercoastal Waterway.

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Stay tuned

 

Delta Queen prepares to depart New Orleans

Here’s the first in our series of videos documenting the Delta Queen’s journey from New Orleans to Chattanooga.

Video produced by Eric Hadley and Bill Wiemuth. Special thanks to Mike Gentry for playing the banjo for us on this cold morning. Mike has a terrific CD of river songs. I’ll post his contact info soon. Also, special thanks to Toots Maloy for all her help.

Stay tuned for more!

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Stay Tuned for the Rest of the Story

The Delta Queen's paddlewheel

 

Dear Reader,

Check back periodically for updates on the fate of the Delta Queen.

Thank you for all your kind remarks and for sharing with me the journey of the Delta Queen’s 2008 season. I hope we will have new adventures to share together one day very soon.

–END–

 

Baton Rouge, LA

USS Kidd in very low water.

Wow, the water is low. We dock near the USS Kidd and today it is sitting in its cradle with dry riverbed showing underneath. As the water rises, the Kidd floats up along a brace that holds it in place. Good design for the lower Mississippi where the river level can vary up to 60 feet in a year! That sounds like the swings of my emotions in the last few days!

The Delta Queen pulling in to Baton Rouge.

We stood out on deck and enjoyed watching the Delta Queen come down river, make her turn back up into the current and glide gracefully over to dock next to the American Queen. My goodness, she is a beautiful boat. Here’s a little video pan down her side for your enjoyment:

 

 

 

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We had several media today and I was busy with interviews. It is so encouraging to see the media interest in the boat. Perhaps the only positive thing about the boat’s “retirement” is the media interest that is generating. Hopefully this coverage will help garner the civic and political support we will need to get the legislation passed.

St. Francisville, LA mayor Billy D'Aquilla and Baton Rouge mayor "Kip" Holden.

We enjoyed sharing todays Tribute Event with St. Francisville, LA mayor Billy D’Aquilla and Baton Rouge mayor “Kip” Holden. The DQ was scheduled to visit St. Francisville only once this year at the beginning of the season but the water was too high to dock there. So, we invited the mayor and some of his staff to come down and join our event in Baton Rouge. It was a lovely day and a nice event.

The DQ stayed a little later after the AQ pulled out to help the AQ guests get a more restful night’s sleep.

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No admittance to the Delta Queen

Well, there is an uproar among the passengers of the American Queen. There is a large group aboard that had arranged with Majestic America Line to have some receptions and even dinners aboard the Delta Queen. But Majestic has decided not to allow the other American Queen guests to visit the Delta Queen while the two boats are tied together in port. Instead Majestic is offering seven opportunities throughout this cruise for American Queen guests to purchase a $49 opportunity to ride the Delta Queen on a two hour cruise. I hope some of the guests will get a chance to see the lovely interior of this boat this week. Wow!

–END–

 

Good Morning America

If you missed the DQ feature on Good Morning America Saturday, try this link:

http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=delta%20queen&type=

and click on the “Delta Queen Dethroned” featured video icon.

More to come, have to run back to the boat!