During World War II the Delta Queen served as a floating barracks for the officers and enlisted men of the Naval Net Depot, at Tiburon California. 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. — George F. Cardas, Lt. USNR (ret)

I have been in love with the DELTA QUEEN since I was a little girl growing up on the Ohio River. We could hear her blow for the lock above us when we were kids. Her whistle was different than the towboats. We knew that we were not to go to the river without an adult, so we’d be jumping up and down, screaming and yelling for someone to take us to the river.
Finally the year I turned 50 (they say life begins at 50), I thought about if I could do anything I wanted to do in the whole wide world what would it be? And you know what? Immediately, I thought about how much I had always wanted to ride the DELTA QUEEN. I took my first trip on her in September 2001. I just completed my 16th trip on her and have fallen even deeper in love with her, her crew and all she represents! — Jo Ann Schoen

I have had a love affair with the Queen (DELTA QUEEN) since 1955 when I first went aboard.In all the years since, I have visited her when I could and always looked forward to the time when she came home to Cincinnati — which was her home port for many, many years. She is an icon of the time that made the Queen City THE queen city of the west. I pray that the legislature will come to her rescue and to save the 150 jobs of the talented and dedicated folks who man her. — Tom Schiffer aka Cap’n Walnut

I remember the first time leaving the Delta Queen, after our Pittsburgh to Cincinnati cruise in 1995. It really felt like leaving a family member for ever. At that time we didn’t know when and whether at all we’ll return to the Delta Queen and I admit I had some tears in my eyes when walking down the stage. The feelings were strong, and we returned in 1998 and from then every year, at least to one of the boats, the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen or American Queen. — Franz Neumeier, Munich, Germany

I was born in 1950, right around the transition from steam to diesel. I still remember the sound of those chime whistles in the night.
I was lucky enough to live near Cincinnati, OH, then home port of the Delta Queen. 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.
In 1985, my wife, Patty and I moved to Paducah, KY where she grew up. We now have a son, Stephen, who turned 15 in April. We still got to occasionally see and hear the Delta, Mississippi and American Queens when they passed through Paducah, but it appears this era may be ending. I hope for the sake of future generations that this is not the case. — Richard & Patty Weisenberber

My first trip on the DELTA QUEEN was in 1984, and was a wedding preset from my Dad, to my Wife Linda and me. She loved Steamboatin’ and the calliope, and I loved her VERY much! I lost Linda to cancer in 1988 (at 28 yrs old) and I have lots of fond memories of my loves on the DQ: one, my wife, two, the DQ, and third, the calliope. How many more loves in my life do I have to lose? The DELTA QUEEN can be saved. My wife could not be. — Dave Morecraft, “Widower”

The instant I found out that the DQ would be in Pittsburgh, I knew I had to go to town to see her.When I saw the DQ, it was so amazing! I went to see her four other times, and each was a treasured memory. I will miss going to see her every month. I will miss hearing her sweet music and steam whistle. Save the Delta Queen! — Alexandra, Pittsburgh, PA

When I took my first cruise on the DELTA QUEEN in 1972 at age 14, I knew I had found my life’s great interest. I returned as a passenger, then as a crew member. I met my wife of 30 years on the boat, and some of our fondest memories are of our years on the DELTA QUEEN. We hosted President Carter and his family and also made life-long friends, all due to that boat. I went on to become captain of towboats on all inland waters. The DELTA QUEEN will always hold a special place in our hearts — it is more than a boat, it’s a living thing. — Bob Reynolds