There is a new bill for the Delta Queen, worked out between the new owners and the Senate transportation committee. This bill is number S 2924, please call again your senators to support the bill, time is running out FAST.
Even the National Trust has joined our cause, they just sent out this message:
Dear Friend,
We need your help! With Congress adjourning on December 12th, we have a narrow window of opportunity in which to return the historic Delta Queen Steamboat to overnight passenger service. As our country’s last historic steamboat, the Delta Queen is the last link to our nation’s 200 year history of overnight passenger transportation. Legislation that would enable the Delta Queen to sail the Mississippi river system once again has passed the House of Representatives and is pending action in the Senate.
Time is running out this legislative session, so please urge your senators to support advancing S. 2924 before the 113th Congress comes to a close. Please call your Senators today via the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 and help us return the Delta Queen to our nation’s waterways.
Thank you for letting your senators know that their leadership in saving the Delta Queen and our maritime history is important!
Sincerely,
Your friends at the National Trust
P.S. For more information about the Delta Queen and our campaign to save this National Treasure, visit http://savingplaces.org/treasures/delta-queen.
It's the last one. Let's not let it go away.
Nice pics Steve--did you know the B&W one was actually taken in California in the Sacramento Delta, the "middle" boat is (I think) The Sutter, predecessor to the Delta Queen and King, who were patterned quite a bit after her. If you look closely, you can see her real stack between the fake dual stacks put on for the filming (Steamboat 'Round the Bend, I think).
Yes, one of my favorite movies. Directed by the great John Ford. It was Will Rogers' last film, released after his death in 1935. Here's another movie shot from a year later, my favorite production of Showboat.
Steve,
WOW!! a REAL "Showboat", not like the later productions where the 'showboat' was a regular steamboat. Not many today know that a Showboat was usually a barge towed by a towboat, as above (for those not familiar with inland waterways "towing", the barges are pushed by the towboat).
What production is that, I've not heard of it before?
I, too, like the 1936 version of the movie (based upon a play). It seems a bit longer, and has a few songs left out of the '50s version. Paul Robeson sang "Ol' Man River", an incredible singer, and probably the best version of the song ever. There was also an early sound movie version, 1928 I think, that I have seen parts of. I don't know if the entire film exists or not. In my collection of Photo-Play books (illustrated with scenes from the movie) I have a copy of "Show Boat". I collected mostly silent era up until about 1933 books.
I do hope this nation still has enough pride to save this piece of our history! Riverboats were a huge part of the country's expansion in the early 1800s. Did you know that there was one even in what is now the state of Idaho? When it was no longer needed, there was a famous leap over a small waterfall to move it farther down river.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
As Wayne says, it's the 1936 movie. Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Charlie Winninger, Hattie McDaniel, Helen Morgan, and the magnificent Robeson leading a huge cast. Of course the musical adaptation of Edna Ferber's book by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein is a delight on many levels.
I must agree with Wayne about the best version of Ol Man River. The song fit the singer.
There is a line in the movie where the guy says, "But Mam, Your flattery is only exceeded by your charm".
Not being a US citizen, I wasn't sure I was entitled to join the clamour, so I forwarded the link to my US citizen brother. He called the Senate office and said he had been 'inundated' by European relatives expressing concern! The guy on the other end got quite inspired, he hadn't thought about it being an attraction for foreign tourism. Hope that helps a bit.
Hi From Iowa!!I remember the Delta Queen when she used to pass along our Miss shore line and I always wanted to go for a ride!!! What an awesome machine!! I can not believe that we are still letting such important pieces of our History be lost for ever by empty headed RULE MAKERS that think they Know better than WE? It reminds me of some other things that recent politicians have rammed down our throats!! I just called our Iowa senators to let them know my thoughts!! Lets all help out if we can - Thanks Very Much for the HEADS UP!! John
I was driving along a remote stretch of highway in central Illinois one time, looked over and saw this thing rotting away in the middle of nowhere. Turns out it is one of the last, if not the last true showboats.
http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/can-floating-landmark-st-louis-riverfront-be -saved
I remember the Goldenrod. Had dinner and a show several time on it. I guess all things pass with time.
I am with Steven on that. The St. Louis Ragtimers played on the Goldenrod every Friday and Saturday night for years. We would go with my parents, either for dinner, the show and the Ragtimers, or often just for the Ragtimers.
This video of the Ragtimers was part of a TV special shot on the Goldenrod in 1986. The pianist, Trebor Tichenor, died earlier this year. He was probably one of the foremost - if not the foremost - Ragtime experts in the country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul1EJbBKgX8
I hadn't brought up the Goldenrod, yes it and the Majestic are the last two showboats in existence--that I know of. Both very deserving of preservation--and a lot cheaper/easier than saving an operating steamboat--or at least should be! We in America do a lousy job of maritime preservation!
Dick, now we know where John Regan got his hat. Must have got it from the tuba player right after they quit playing on the Goldenrod.
John, I had not made the connection with the hat, but I think you may be right!
I brought Anja to the United States in 1972 (before we were married) to meet my parents. She had heard my Ragtimers LPs in Holland and while we were here, we drove to Chicago to see some friends. She was quite excited to find that there really was a place called Peoria!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33IDBxybjbw
Dick, my dad was a big time ragtime jazz guy. We went to the Goldenrod many times.
Well, did the steam boat survive?
mack & all,
No, Senator Rockefeller would not let the bill out of committee, and it died. He's now MR. Rockefeller, having retired, so we hope the new chairman will let a new bill go through when the new congress convenes. Unfortunately, we will have to start all over again in BOTH houses. BUT, we are gearing up for one more push, it does mean the boat, if granted permission, will not likely be ready to run in 2015; there's a lot of work to do, she's been "dead" for a few years now & lots of stuff needs refreshing (and new boilers likely too). All things the new operators are ready to do, just need the exemption granted!
David, that's a shame.
I was on the Goldenrod in 1975 and saw an excellent production of 1776. It was moored by the Eads Bridge next to the Arch, just where they want to put it now. I would think that St. Louis would kick in a large sum to help get it back.
TH