The Return to Service of the Delta Queen - documenting her journey

*Rebirth of the Queen*
MERRY CHRISTMAS! steamboating colleagues,
Greetings, Russ, and thanks for the above RE: restoration, repair, renovation of the DELTA QUEEN. The PBS series 'Ultimate Restorations' a favorite giving insights--at times too many insights--into ultimate restorations on land and water. I'm wondering if this is a 'proposal' from you to have the DQ covered in a series or has she already been selected? The legislation passed, as we know, but to my limited knowledge I've not heard if the DQ renovation/restoration has even begun. I hear some rumors here and there but nothing direct from those directly involved or if it has started. Latest broadcast was that, "Most to all of the work on the DQ will be done in slip in Houma." I see extensive marine survey work, letting of bids, detailed plans, assembly of materials, workers--even in time a much-needed hull inspection hauled out in dry dock. The list goes on and on from what I remember from ocean vessels. The PBS series is intriguing and 'could' in time draw much-needed exposure and publicity for the boat when she begins her new operating life. Publicity, PR a skill and talent the late Betty Blake was famous for in her early campaigns for/with the DQ. And there will never be another Betty Blake. Yet, in PR work, Betty mentioned to me several times, "At times too much news is not good news." I gather from some 'rumors' circulated by those in 2nd and 3rd positions of enthusiastic DQ support that work on the DQ will be far more than just "basic cosmetic work" as broadcast. Thanks for tipping us off and keep us informed.

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati, Ohio

Merry Christmas Morning to all,

Dale, it is my Christmas wish. Wish I was better connected but cannot personally do more than wish someone or someones can help facilitate this happening. Yes, we need public awareness and God knows positive news about anything is in real scarce supply these days.

I am not a flicker of facebook person. Maybe someone on this board can and is wiling to help this cause along.

A successful effort would have to have the blessings and active support of those directly involved with the DQ and her future. We need a sign from them a project like this would be appreciated?

Russ

*DELTA QUEEN 'Restoration*
Steamboating colleagues,
Hi, Russ. Just back from a wonderful Christmas dinner with my 102 year old mother in her retirement center. I understand your interest in, possibly, documenting the 'repairs, renovations, restoration' of the DELTA QUEEN but, personally, feel this is an initiative best taken on/assumed by those most directly involved in Houma--not 2nd and 3rd parties--with their own PR and legal people. The DQ is and has been "a private for profit corporate enterprise outside of the public domain." People are free to give of their personal time, money as they see fit but this enterprise has/needs assurance of financial and banking institutions on a much higher order. Again, a number of odd 'rumors' filtering back here RE: financing, what people think the U.S. Coast Guard will and will not do etc. She is not a museum vessel such as the Str. W.P. SNYDER or the steam towboat GEORGE M. VERITY, Str. TICONDEROGA, Shelburn Museum etc. I am one who has been on, in, around old GREENE LINE STEAMERS and the DELTA QUEEN, knowing the Greene family about as far back as anybody to early 1950s here with Jim Reising, Kenny Howe, Capt. Don Sanders being others. The issue is very close to us, emotional but should not take on the aura of a fixation, monomania. She is what she is no more and no less. I know for certain that if Capt. Tom Greene still alive today with any interest or control in 'his' DELTA QUEEN, more than a few people would have pulled up hard by the hair where it hurts with what has been said, claimed, rumored. Let's sit back and let this process play out for the best. Those most directly in control, ownership, authority should be the ones to step up, speak up. Again, stories and rumors abound. It could come as a shock for a few people to open their mail box one day seeing an expensive envelope and letter inside on ivory bond paper with an impressive name, address of a legal firm opening up with, "Dear....., it has been brought to our attention that you have..." Get my gist? Betty Blake use to fume talking with me, "I don't know who are so-called friends are supposed to be as they are causing more trouble than our enemies." [Meaning those not in support of the DQ]. I worked long, hard on the first restoration program for the Str. W.P. SNYDER at the Ohio River Museum and then wrote the proposal for the very first 'Tall Stacks.' Be careful what you wish for.

R.Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

Dale, I could not agree with you more as clearly stated in my previous posts. We are just spectators in this ongoing saga. Yes, be careful for what you wish for. Yes, look out for unintended consequences. But, keep wishing in hopes our steam tradition lives on. Keep your steam up!

Best wishes to your 102 year old mother and all reading these posts.

Russ Ryle

Russ and Dale.....this is the easy part. Getting the boat rebuilt to run again just requires money, with enough money you can rebuild anything, The hard part will come in a year or two when they enter the cruise boat business. Oh yes, they can get the boat running again, but can they keep it running? That'll be the hard part.

Dale, where on earth have you been if you think the only thing the owners have 'broadcast' was just basic cosmetic work needed? All along they have said there would be new boilers, moving the steam line, and various other mechanical issues to deal with. You call these 'basic cosmetic work'? In answer to people's queries about what was done in Houma, Phillip usually replied that they were doing basic cosmetic work until the exemption came through, but by no means did he or any other owners claim that all that was needed was basic cosmetic work. As much as we are interested in the DQ's return and want updates on her progress, I don't think the owners are obliged to make every detail public, as one Facebook page administrator has been railing for.

*DQ's return to service*
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Steamboating colleagues,
Good points, Judy with Phil Johnson being more than candid with what renovation, restoration, repairs will follow putting the DELTA QUEEN back in service. Phil, at least to me, has been more than open, considerate. What you missed has been a number outside of the present owners, administrators of the DQ who made more than a few of the statements heard around here in our part of the country. Don't kill the messenger but rather just read what a number of so-called DQ friends and advocates have said in public. We hear it all the time. Again, the DQ present administration needs to take ownership on the PR and new releases required and not relying on 2nd and 3rd party 'fans' to do their work for them. I'm totally in the dark about any other web administrators or what they say about the boat. Hope all is well. Back in town. CHEERS!

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

Is there a resource that documents the changes made to the DQ over time? I know there is for her original conversion to inland river operations but how about from then to today? Cabin layouts have changed since my cruise in 1978. Other changes?

Keep your steam up. Looking forward to 2020.

Best regards, Russ Ryle

*"Documenting" DQ journey to now*
Morning, steamboating colleagues,
Russ, you ask a pertinent question and I know I don't know all the answers. Costs for the DELTA QUEEN began early in 1947 with Capt. Tom Greene and his GREENE LINE dealing with the U.S. Navy, shoring her up for the long tow via Panama. Capt. Fed Way talked/wrote much about the boat's conversion at DRAVO in 1947 but, due to etiquette, never gave the final account run for the work--and it was high. I heard the end costs but won't say here. Even in 1947 the boat ran up $1,200 a day just on the ways seven days a week including holidays with no mention of materials used. Fred even mentions, "I made notes with an element of terseness." The DQ project even then nearly brought the GREENE LINE to the brink. Capt. Tom Greene, in 1947, had been 'advised' NOT to purchase the DELTA QUEEN even then but to go with totally new boat from hull up in steel with larger passenger accommodations, more baths, amenities running with diesel engines. Tom chose the DQ to get his company up and moving. There were still World War II shortages of materials, equipment, supplies. There were extensive files kept in the company office on the wharfboat in a running narrative from then on for financial reports, tax, expenses. Any company or concern does this even if not a marine operation with the DQ not being anything special in the world of financial operations. Somebody once said, "Anybody know how much money has been spent on keeping the DELTA QUEEN in good repair and operating over the years?" It would, in total, be astronomical. I saw some of the records then before the wharfboat was sold, moved when the then new Cincinnati riverfront was under construction. Mickey Frye was one who quickly stepped in to box up, save as much as he could.

Also, Russ, remember the rates of inflation from 1947 to the DQ's last steaming days with expenses always lurking in the wings. Fred Way did mention/write the DQ was on the ways at DRAVO some days over six months being a "record long stay." Think of the on-going work to her in all of those years. You have to consider on-going maintenance, fuel, crew salaries, taxes, insurance [boat and employees], food supplies, periodic trips to the ways for hull inspections, equipment break-down with replacement and repair, increasing government and environmental regulations etc. The list goes on and on. The DELTA QUEEN isn't exempted from any of this just because it's the DQ. When the last ISLAND QUEEN exploded, burned in Pittsburgh, Sept. 1947 Tom Greene came within an ace of unloading the DQ to the CONEY ISLAND CO. as a replacement boat until Ed Schott, CEO of CONEY, saw all of that wood superstructure, need for a total gutting with him throwing in the sponge. Mrs. Letha Greene mentioned to me once, "The steamboat business one of the toughest to be in. You have a marine operation, crew, entertainment, food, liquor, hotel division--and I inherited it all when Tom died." In many ways the DQ--as with other vessels--are a constant work in progress from beginning to end. What does that tell you? Certainly no warm, romantic, cuddly old time steamboat romance here. CHEERS!

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

Morning Dale and all,

Yep, Us steamboat folks have to be a glut-ten for punishment with a false sence of economic value as basic requirements. It takes dedication more than common sense to keep you steam up.

Answering the question asked

All interesting stuff Dale, but I think Russ was asking about the physical changes made over the years, not the expenses incurred. Russ, here are a few from my cruising days: in 1973 there were public restrooms on the top deck. In 1974 these had become B staterooms 313 and 314. There were 6 rooms without baths on the Cabin Deck, which were incorporated into adjoining rooms to enlarge them, probably after 1983. Skid Row on the Cabin Deck stern got the interior cabins added so that they had bathrooms, early 70s. After the 1983 season the small rooms on the Cabin Deck stern were converted into 2 large suites, at which time the 2 portholes were replaced by the 4 larger windows in the splashboard to allow the suite inhabitants a stern view. This is when the pop machine was removed from the stern too. Somewhere around 1990 the Officers Quarters on the forward end of the Sun Deck were transformed into several passenger suites, the Captain's and Chief Engineer's cabins, and the outer stairs to the pilothouse were added since the old center interior stairs were closed off. Of course, the new hull, the reconfiguration of the smokestack, the repainting of the fru-fru over the calliope, the removal of the unifon on the calliope, the stripping to the wood on the stateroom doors, changing the calliope console from red to brass, are also physical changes over the years since I started riding in 1973. The calliope was installed in 1960, the steam pipe to it and the fru-fru changed/added for the 1971 season, and on and on. This is all from my memory and of course there were other changes over the years prior to my time. I think many of these have been discussed on here over the years. You might check the archives for this topic.

Morning Judy and all,

Thanks for the info. It is what I was looking for. Keep you steam up! Russ

PS: for shipyard Sam - I am unable to open yo9ur private message? Email me using the address in the book I sent you. Thanks.

Russ, Judy and Dale: Judy has pretty well covered it as far as changes we see/saw on the DQ over the years. I’ll also add that the crew quarters were gutted and rebuilt during the 1970 or 71 layup. They went from bunk room style to two to a room, with air conditioning (well, what passed for air conditioning). The galley was completely redone at the same time. Many windows on the port side main deck removed in the 90’s. The stateroom doors being refinished to natural was a project of Harold DeMarrero; they’re okay, but I really prefer the white doors. Yes, it all takes money, and while there have certainly been some lean years for the DQ/Greene Line, there were times the boat made money, too. I am not now, nor have I ever been privy to any of the financials, but for the company to build the AQ and the coastal boats says something as far as money goes. I know it’s not all romance, but for the boat to have lasted since 1949, it had to have been making money for somebody, or else several different entities would have thrown in the towel.

*DQ changes/Cost of all*
Steamboating, colleagues,
Yeah, I was probably thinking more in the question above of the financial costs over the years. Interesting RE: all the external, internal structural changes, hotel department alterations. And you all above would know for sure. Somebody said once, "The DELTA QUEEN has been a work in progress since 1947." I can't remember who, but somebody mentioned years back [Could have been the late Larry Walker a DQ fan] about, "How much money do you think they've spent on the DQ in all the years since 1947." Yes, Bob, there were "lean years for the DQ/GREENE LINE." That happened when she was put on the Market by Mrs. Greene due to falling reservations. Other times, during lean years, those in the home GL office told of how they pinched pennies 'thinking' of the cost for an extra standing prime rib beef roast or two. Letha Greene mentioned to me, "I worried all winter leading into Mardi Gras about our reservations. The Mardi Gras trip indicated generally how healthy the year would be." I often wondered how she laid her head down at night for a full sleep without the DQ haunting her? There were also more than a few 'silent partner' investors in the GL than people knew in 1947. Thanks for the above.

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

Just read with pleasure the March 2019 S&D Reflector article by Phillip Johnson "Steamer Delta Queen Update" She is still a long way from the call, "all aboard that's coming aboard, all ashore that's going ashore"; but, things are moving in that direction. Watch www.delatqueen for updates.