[R. Dale Flick]

Steamboating colleagues:
Alan Bates got us all to thinking--and remembering--with his earlier thread 'Little-told Tale.' I dug through the junk here and pulled out the files containing copies of letters, contracts, specs on the building of the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN at JEFFBOAT. Much is already know by many here.

"Planning of the new MISSISSIPPI QUEEN was a nearly eight year process. When the realization came that more money would be required, DQ CO. stockholders sold the company to Overseas National (ONA) in 1969. COCA COLA BOTTLING of New York purchased the company and 'Great Ocean Cruise Line' from ONA in an agreement on April 23, 1976. COKE acquired all outstanding stock of the two companies in exchange for shares of COKE valued at $6.2 million. The MQ financing by ONA was through the First National Bank of Chicago, Chase Manhattan Bank and Manufacturer's Hanover Trust. [*Note. DQ CO. had also approached various investors and those 'intrested' in the project in Cincinnati and other river cities.]

The Federal Ships Mortgage Act of 1967, the DQSB CO. was eligible for a mortgage guarantee of 87.5% of the costs. Congress passed the law for riverboat construction to receive same insurance benetifs as ocean vessels. The then DQ CO. was to receive .75% of one percenjt annuyally for outstanding loans.

The MISSISSIPI QUEEN was designed by James Gardner of London, England with coordinated architecture managed by Albert P. Hinkley, Jr., consultant. Albert Hinkley did architectural supervision of the ADNENTURER, originally constructed for ONA and then transfered to CUNARD LINE, Ltd., owners of the QE-2. The exterior design was done by James Gardner. The U.S. supervisor was Schuller & Allen of Huston, who worked on the boat's passenger area designs. The marine consultant was Three Quays Marine Service of London, England, a division of P&O STEAMSHIP COMPANY, Ltd. Interior design accomplished by David W. Baer of the international company of Welton Becket & Associastes Architects, New York City.

The entry of the then new MISSISSIPPI QUEEN