[Franz Neumeier]

Bad luck hits Majestic America Line, again: A fire in the engineroom of the Queen of the West yesterday stopped a cruise on the Columbia Rover early. No passengers injured, four crew members treated for smoke inhalation and released on the scene, according to Portland local TV station KATU (see "Crew members injured in sternwheeler fire").

As sad this is for Majestic America Line's recovering business in the Northwest, it shows clearly how little danger there is for passengers on this type of riverboat, hence also the Delta Queen. A tugboat was nearby to assist immediately, a well trained crew was able to estinguish the fire by themselves even befor the Coast Guard arrived on the scene, all passengers were evacuated safely. Citing KATU tv: "Passengers and crew were able to walk off the ship via the front gangplank."

Isn't this quite the opposite from the ridiculous drama scenario Rep. Oberstar painted when talking about hundreds of passengers burning to death?