[Ted Davisson]

Greetings From The " Left Coast " !
Last week I attended the American Pilot Association convetion , in Las Vegas , Nevada and I was able to juggle my schedule in order to also make a side trip to Sacramento , California to pay a visit to the Str. Delta King !
It was my first time on board the " King " , and I have to say that for the most part in was a very favorable and memorable experience !
The " King " is now truly an up scale " Bed and Breakfast " , due to the fact that her engines and boilers are now gone but she still retains that certain something , either real or imagined , that makes you know that you are in the presence of steamer royality .
At one point I thought I was in literally a parallel universe and I was slipping from one deminsion to another between the world of the Str. Delta Queen and that of the Str. Delta King ! For example , from first look at the " King " you would think that she was still an exact replica of the " Queen " but it did not take long to realize the fundemental differences between the two boats . I guess the most basic difference was the absence of the forwrd Texas Deck , on the " King " and the presence of the forward " Deck House " , that still resides on her bow .
On the inside of the " King " , you enter the boat from the starb'd stern where the Purser's Office is now located and there is no aft cabin lounge to speak of . In place of the " Kings " , forward Purser's Office is now located an elevator that operates between the Cabin Deck and the Main Deck of the boat . In place of the Aft Cabin Deck State Rooms is a spacious dining room . There was no " Orleans Room " on the " King's " Main Deck and in its place were conference rooms and officies . There was a Texas Deck bar and stair case and if I am not mistaking it appeared to be a bit larger in size than that of the " Queens " . The State Rooms were well apointed and very comfortable beds as well . From that discovery I naturally wondered , if the " King " was remodeled and the state rooms were removed or if on the " Queen " , the state rooms were installed ?? Does anyone know for sure ?? At the time , no one that worked on the " King " could tell me . Go Figure !
Also , on the outside of the boat , I noticed that there were no Pitman Arms connecting the wheel to the engines , on the Pilot House there were no Bridge Wings , no port and starb'd Running Lights , and no side Name Boards and no large Air Vents as was on the " Queen " . Athough entry into the Pilot House was not possible you could still see the upper portion of the Pilot Wheel and what appeared to be a Binacle as well . The outer decks appeard to be the same as on the " Queen " with beautiful mahogany hand rails and deck lightening as well . What also caught my eye was the presence of the Life Boats both port , starb'd and forward and upon close examination they appeared to be origional to the " King " due to the fact that you could see the rivets that they were constructed with .
Also , on the " King's " bow was the Capstan and H Bit although the bit was in a state of extreme wood rot . The state rooms on the Upper Deck ( Sun Deck ) had been enlarged with a spacious bathroom and shower and with very adequate heating and cooling systems , which unfortunately the " Queen " always lacked . Also , on the
" King " there was no Caliope and I am sure that just may be the deciding factor if some should so choose not to come for a visit ! Joking !!
All and all it was a very enjoyable experience and I highly reccomend to everyone to take the time to visit the " King " and to make your own judgement on wheather the " King " is either a Steamboat or a Bed and Breakfast , or both !!
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
NOBRA 70