[Ted Davisson]

Greetings From New Orleans ,
Today I spent the better part of the day saying HELLO to two old friends , Capt. Finley Frasier ( Pilot ) and Fred Carmichael ( Engineer ) and unfortunately saying GOODBYE to two other old friends , the Str.'s Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen . Both boats are now tied off together , once again , for an indefinate period of time . I was just simply astounded how the MQ has deteriated to nothing better than a rusting hulk of a hull and superstructure and in stark contrast how Good the DQ appeared for the time being at least . The really sad part was to witness the skeleton crew on the DQ removing pictures , brass gages and literally anything of value . Also , the remanents of the crew will all be departing the DQ tomorrow and only a few security guards will now be entrusted to keep both of these National Treasures safe from vandals and the curious . I also had a chance to speak and visit with Capt. John Dugger , the Master of the DQ and we both agreed that at some point someone or some corporation hopfully will step up to the plate and purchase either one , two , or maybe all three of the steamboats , but just when and who is certainly anyone's guess .
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson