As the QUEEN maneuvered into shore, this landing took somewhat longer to get the lines out and tightened up before the Captain yelled across the PA system: Within half an hour later, I was on the bow with the deck crew as the DELTA QUEEN prepared to land at Port Allen, LA, across the river from the old ferry landing at Baton Rogue. When I came on watch at 0600 with Captain Wagner as his unlicensed Second Mate and understudy, the steamboat logbook recorded a distance of 42.0 miles for an average speed of 7.0 mph. The DELTA QUEEN always prided herself on the exotic woods making up the superstructure above her steel hull.Д«y midnight, the Logbook, written in the artistic and precise hand of Captain Hawley, recoded: Officials of the Greene Line Steamers, owners of the handsome steamboat, hoped in turn, the clout of the audience would ultimately support the exemption of the historic steamboat from the hapless legislation. As quickly as the presentation of the QUEENвЂ™s officers wrapped up, the staff and high mucky-mucks of the National Trust gathered on the ironwood deck for their mention among the wealthy and influential members of the group paying handsomely to ride the DELTA QUEEN.

Wagner and Clarke Campbell вЂњDocвЂќ Hawley, the Master and First Mate of the DELTA QUEEN, were introduced to the audience gathered in the Orleans Room dining area that quickly converted a presentable auditorium for entertainment and the like. Senator and former governor of that great state.ДЇollowing a lavish buffet the first night underway, Captains Ernest E. The Sunshine Bridge, completed in 1963, replaced the Donaldsonville, Louisiana ferry, and was the first bridge across the broad river between the two existing bridges named for Huey P. James Parish while averaging 7.4 mph against the Mississippi RiverвЂ™s surge. Every detail adding to the comfort and enjoyment of the TrustвЂ™s passengers was carefully scrutinized and emphasized by the crew, from the Captain to the pot washers.Д«y 9:55 p.m., the QUEEN passed under the Sunshine Bridge in St. Although listing the DELTA QUEEN as a National Historic Landmark was nearly two decades into the future, the Nation TrustвЂ™s support seemed imperative to the celebrated steamboatвЂ™s future.

The DELTA QUEEN always prided herself on the exotic woods making up the superstructure above her steel hull. Without an exemption to the вЂњSafety at Sea Law,вЂќ the QUEEN had but nine months before she would be tied-up forever.

Anchor books landmark series