Scotland, Sept.25: The 81 years old Delta Queen, a legendary paddle steamer built in Dumbarton is facing the threat of being off the river because of the strict safety laws. Considering the traditional link of this vessel support to save the ship from various quarters is gaining momentum.
Delta Queen has 60 years of glorious history, in her heyday, the vessel powered down the Mississippi with jazz bands playing and cheering the crowds who have gathered in the banks to admire the beauty of this vessel, overtaking her rival the Belle of Louisville in a race which thrilled the shipping community of the Grand Old South. She has carried presidents and princesses, seen wartime service and been hailed as the jewel of the Southern states of the US.
The 285ft vessel, built at William Denny & Brothers on the banks of the River Leven, could be scrapped after her licence was withdrawn. The steamer fell pray to the safety regulations requiring all boats carrying passengers overnight to be made primarily of steel. Previously, Delta Queen was granted an exemption after arguments that, as a riverboat, she was never more than a mile from shore, the consistent safety record, a 24-hour fireman on board and an extensive sprinkler system.
Earlier the Delta Queen begins its service as a packet boat, carrying mail, livestock and passengers. After undergoing refurbishment she began to offer luxury overnight travel between Sacramento and San Francisco.
The interior of the Delta queen boasts 88 state rooms, and fitted out with Tiffany-style stained-glass windows, brass fittings, hardwood panelling and the dramatic grand staircase crowned by a magnificent chandelier. She was considered as a prestigious symbol as she attracts wealthy passengers and gamblers who risked their fortune in the gaming room.
During the Second World War the Delta Queen was under the control of US Navy, used to carry the wounded took her over and, painted grey and under the designation “Yard Ferry Boat 56″, she was used to carry wounded soldiers in San Francisco Bay. After decommissioning in 1947, she travelled 5,000 miles through the Panama Canal up into the Mississippi, where she came to be regarded as the jewel of the south.Many high-profile guests including US presidents Harry Truman, Herbert Hoover and Jimmy Carter, as well as Princess Margaret and other celebrities have sailed on her.
She had overcome similar safety-based threats in the past to take her off the river, most notably in 1966 and 1970. On both occasions the public rallied round and in 1970 she was designated a national historic landmark. Considering all these history Scottish politicians joined a campaign to save her.
The campaign kicked off last month after the Majestic America Line, the vessel’s owners, announced she would cease operations permanently at the end of the 2008 season. Jackie Baillie, the Dumbarton MSP, has persuaded 15 MSPs to back her motion calling for the preservation of the vessel. “I want the American authorities to reconsider this threat to our joint heritage. They must find a way of preserving this Clyde-built vessel for future generations,” Ms Baillie said.
Graham Kennison, a trustee of the Scottish Maritime Museum, who is backing the campaign, said the Delta Queen represented a huge part of Dumbarton’s shipping heritage.
“There can’t have been a river in the world which did not have one of Denny’s shallow draft vessels and the Delta Queen symbolises something unique. After construction, the Delta Queen, which was built as one of a pair alongside the Delta King, was shipped in segments across the Atlantic accompanied by a team engineers from Scotland, providing a lasting emotional connection with Dumbarton.” He said.
Construction of the Delta Queen provided work for Hundreds of ship workers from Scotland participated in the construction work of the Delta Queen. They built the steel hull, engines and deck up to the second level. The wooden superstructure and further two decks were built in the US.
Singer Johnny Cash extended his support to the campaigners by penning a song on Delta Queen. He also performed on television before asking the audience to support the ‘Save the Delta Queen campaign’.
