After 2008, DELTA QUEEN's passenger-carrying days are over
|
End of the shipping line for
Dumbarton-built DELTA QUEEN
80 year old riverboat will
sail no more after losing US Congress exemption
She spans not only the
generations, but the Atlantic, linking the romance of the
stern-wheelers on the Mississippi and the Clyde-built traditions of
hundreds of years. After the end of the 2008 season she will retire,
her great wheel to turn no more.
Dumbarton situated where the River Leven joins the Clyde has produced
many ships that are or were historic, such as the CUTTY SARK and also
some very unusual and surprising vessels have been born in the shadow
of The Rock.
Two such were the DELTA KING and DELTA QUEEN. The former is now a
static attraction and hotel at Sacramento, whilst the latter has been
paddling in US waters right up until now. Six times she has been
granted exemption from laws regarding ships with wooden
superstructure, but now her time has run out and after the 2008 season
she will sail no more.
The hulls, first two decks and steam engines of both ships were
ordered from Wm Denny in 1924 and the sections were transported to
California where they were assembled and locally produced wooden upper
superstructure was added. There is some confusion over where exactly
the hulls were built, with references to an 'Isherwood Shipyard' in
Glasgow, but to the best of our knowledge (and others more connected
with shipbuilding history) no such shipyard existed, not even in the
whole of the UK. It may have been there was a fabrication works called
Isherwood that Denny subcontracted to, but we find this unlikely as at
no time have we came across this name in relation to either Denny or
any other shipbuilder. Except that the name Isherwood is known
in shipbuilding through a naval architect of that name who devised a
new system of construction, mainly for tankers, and it is possible he
was involved in the novel designs of the DELTA hulls. Taking all of
the above into account we are fairly sure the ships were indeed
constructed by Denny at Dumbarton.
Initially they were built for service on the Sacramento River between
San Francisco and Sacramento. Both vessels saw service during the war
as hospitals and ferries. DELTA KING thereafter had a traumatic life,
being towed here and there under a succession of owners with good
intentions, sinking twice and generally ending up a less than happy
old ship. She did see a period of glory when she was used as a
Mississippi steamboat in the 1959 MGM film The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn. Eventually she was bought and converted into her
current use as an hotel at Sacramento.
DELTA QUEEN however had a more glorious destiny. After being put into
the Reserve Fleet after WW2 she was bought for service on the
Mississippi which meant an epic voyage for her through the Panama
Canal arriving at New Orleans after 5,261 days at sea.
Ever since 1966 she has battled for survival against rules that
prohibit vessels from carrying passengers that have wooden
construction such as her superstructure. And now the battle is over
after being granted exemptions for over 20 years.
What the future will hold for her is uncertain, but it is highly
unlikely she will be broken up: she has a place in the heart of
America and will doubtless become a static attraction like her sister.
In a press release issued yesterday, her current owners, Majestic
America Line said, "We are incredibly disappointed by this decision,
but we are extremely grateful to those who worked tirelessly on behalf
of the Delta Queen to preserve her place on the
Mississippi River. This includes many congressional leaders such as
Congressman Lacy Clay (D-MO), who gathered the support of so many of
his colleagues, thousands of loyal guests, our hard-working travel
partners and Delta Queen enthusiasts like Steamboats.org. We
appreciate their efforts and we will continue to keep them involved as
we plan the best way to honour the Delta Queen.”
Majestic America Line say they will dedicate the 2008 season to
celebrating the Delta Queen’s years of service and her fabled time on
the river.
“A journey on board the Delta Queen is a true American experience,
providing guests with an authentic glimpse of our country’s culture
and a time in our history when steamboats ruled the rivers,” said
David A. Giersdorf, President, Majestic America Line.
“We will make every sailing in 2008 a special event, allowing every
guest, like so many before, the opportunity to share in the Delta
Queen’s legacy and honour the last chapter in her service on the
river.”
Majestic America Line is planning special commemorative events,
exclusive departures for previous Delta Queen guests and commemorative
gifts that will mark the farewell season. With just 24 departures on
the Delta Queen during 2008, guests are
encouraged to reserve their place in history soon.
The company say it is continuing to evaluate the best way to preserve
her legendary spirit and her esteemed place in American history for
future generations.
From across the Atlantic we trust she will forever remain a living
legend in one form or another, and a symbol of the links between a
shipbuilding town on Clydeside and the great steamboats on the great
US rivers.
|
