As a ninety day wonder ensign I was sent there from Treasure Island to take charge of a detachment of 250 draftees that were to be quartered there temporarily. I received my orders at about 9:00 a.m. The net tender that was to take me to the Net Depot did not arrive until about 3:00 p.m. By the time I arrived at the Delta Queen the recruits has been sent elsewhere. I lived aboard the Queen until I was given command of the Katlian YNT 16 a tug that was built for service on the Mississippi, but worked the Antisubmarine nets in San Francisco Bay.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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