Delta Queen Ending?
By: LaTonya Stephens
Updated: October 5, 2007
Presidents Hoover, Truman, and Carter have all stepped aboard the historic ship.
The Delta Queen is one of the last of its kind but soon may be docked for good.
Built in 1926 the steamboat is much like it was back then.
Its a small 176 passenger boat that because of its wooden structure is being targeted by Congress.
In 1966 a law went into effect that deemed wooden boats like the Delta Queen unsafe for overnight passengers.
Until now the Delta operated on a special exemption but recently Congress refused to extend that exemption.
Passengers and sisters Lynne Davidson and Ellen Lewis are signing a petition in an attempt to keep the boat on the river.
They believe its worth saving and because the ship makes so many stops in Henderson-- tourism official Alice Siemers also hopes its saved.
She says many of the passengers are visiting the retail business in the city and their dollars are very important.
But attempts so far to save the boat are not looking good.
Owners of the Delta- Majestic America Lines say the steamboat will take its final voyage in November 2008.
Majestic America says its other ships including the American queen and the Mississippi Queen will not be affected.
