The historic Delta Queen's 24 scheduled departures this year could be the ship's final sailings.
In August, Congress did not grant the Mississippi River ship a statutory exemption from a 1966 law banning passenger vessels with wooden superstructures. The law prohibits wooden vessels from carrying 50 or more people on overnight trips. Built in 1926, the Delta Queen has a steel hull and a wooden superstructure.
While efforts continue to extend the congressional exemption beyond the Oct. 31 expiration date, Majestic America Line is planning the ship's 2008 departures with the fanfare of a farewell season. The 176-passenger Delta Queen will sail from April 18 through the end of October. The itineraries are based around America's Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland rivers.
Majestic has scheduled 27 tribute events along the Delta Queen's routes. The first event will take place on April 20, in St. Francisville, La., and the last will be take place on Nov. 7 in New Orleans.
The events will feature river music by the Delta Queen Band and remarks by Delta Queen's captain from the bow of the boat. A calliope concert will take place as the Delta Queen departs each destination.
Information on the "Save the Delta Queen" campaign can be found at www.majesticamericaline.com.
To contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to [email protected].