Steamboat History
Download Delta Queen History Handout (PDF File)
The Legendary Delta Queen has a storied history. You can review a few events from her timeline below.
December 12, 1925 - Delta Queen was launched in Stockton, California
June 2, 1927 - Maiden voyage from San Francisco to Sacramento
June 26, 1938 - Delta Queen and Port of Stockton raced 17 miles from Sacramento down river to Clarksburg. Delta Queen carried 900 passengers who paid 50 cents each. Port of Sacramento won by a whisker.
Autumn 1940 to August 1946 - Served U.S. Navy as floating barracks, training facility and troop ferry.
December 17, 1946 - Delta Queen sale confirmed for $46,250 to Cincinnati, Ohio's Greene Line Steamers.
April 19 - May 18, 1947 - Delta Queen crated and towed more than 5,000 miles from California through the Panama Canal to New Orleans.
Summer 1947 - Summer 1948 - Delta Queen proceeds under her own power to Pittsburgh and undergoes $750,000 in renovations.
June 30, 1948 - Debut Ohio River cruise from Cincinnati to Cairo, Illinois
1958 - Greene Line advertised Delta Queen for sale. California businessman Richard Simonton bought a majority of the stock and she continued service.
February 23, 1960 - Newly added calliope premiered in Memphis
April 1963 - Delta Queen and Belle of Louisville race and it is a publicity success.
1966 - Congress passed law banning wooden superstructures with more than 50 guests but Delta Queen granted two-year exemption, which was later extended to 1970.
June 1970 - Delta Queen added to the National Register of Historic Places.
October 21 - November 1, 1970 - Farewell cruise from St. Paul to NOLA as exemption expired
December 1970 - Exemption added as amendment to another bill and signed into law
September 1971 - Delta Queen contracted to carry U.S. mail and has its own postmark
August 17 - 24, 1979 - President Jimmy Carter and family ride a St. Paul to St. Louis cruise.
1989 - Designated National Historic Landmark
January 2004 - Inducted into National Maritime Hall of Fame
Delta Queen History Blog: www.deltaqueenhistory.com
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Coolidge Park Landing is located in the North Shore community and offers trendy shops and eateries located along the Tennessee Riverfront. Click here for more information.
Chattanooga Water Taxi and
Fat Cat Ferry
offers transportation on Saturdays from noon to sunset (weather permitting) to guests who park on the south side of the river. It's a great addition to all downtown Chattanooga events. Available for private charter.