I often heard it’s large 10” Lunkenheimer, whistle, which was made in Cincinnati. I also enjoyed hearing its steam calliope. Although we nearly lost the Delta Queen in 1970 due to a misinterpretation of the Safety at Sea Law, a campaign to Save the Queen prevailed and the Delta Queen was granted an exemption. Cincinnati continued as the home port of the Delta Queen through the 1970s and into the 1980s. Even when the home port was moved, the exemptions have always been granted until this year. I hope that President Elect Barack Obama can reverse Representative Oberstar’s decision.Shawn J. Dake, a Delta Queen first-timer, rode the Delta Queen in October 2007 from Nashville to Tuscaloosa. His "Log of the Steamboat Delta Queen, Along the Southern Rivers" is showing like nothing else how much people fall in love with this boat from the first minute. It shows the full impact of removing the Delta Queen from the rivers, what it means to passengers, fans and the local businesses all along the rivers.
Shawn’s log, published at Maritime Matters, is worth reading for every Delta Queen lover — but as well for her opponents to get a feeling on what they’re about to destroy by ignoring the facts, by playing dirty political games, by just being ignorant or apathetic instead of doing the right thing and give this wonderful, historic and absolutely safe boat the well deserved exemption from the Safety at Sea Act.
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