Another Steamboat Race - 20 Years Ago

[Keith Norrington]

The DELTA QUEEN certainly will be missed by many today here at Louisville for the Derby Festival riverboat event. Although the BELLE OF CINCINNATI is a great boat with a fine crew, it just ain't the same if it ain't STEAM!

Herewith are photos from the 1989 celebration. It was my privilege that year to be invited by Capt. John Beatty to ride his famous towboat, CLAIRE E. BEATTY, where we had fabulous ringside seats, terrific food, drinks and the company of dear river friends, many of whom have since made their last crossing. How thrilling it was to follow closely behind the DQ and BELLE -- and we even got "sprayed" by the Louisville Falls Fountain! A special whistle salute to the DELTA QUEEN and to the memory of Capt. John Beatty!