Route 1, Box 309, Frederic, Wisconsin 54837
Being retired, is in a sense a privilege, and with all my
hobbies, I seem pressed for time. We thank our Good Lord for every
day He gives us strength to enjoy this version of freedom.
‘Hobby-farming’ gives a chance to play with ‘old
iron,’ disking ground or threshing oats with my old 10-20
Titan, sawing stove wood with a 5 HP Galloway, etc., all in fun,
good exercise and something accomplished. Going places has a lot of
priority, though I have this continuous yen to look at old thresher
catalogs and copies of ‘American Thresherman.’ I also have
complete sets of hobby magazines, ‘The Iron-Men Album,’ the
‘Gas Engine Magazine,’ ‘Engineers and Engines,’ and
‘Western Engines.’ The winters may be long by the calendar,
but I just scratched the surface on reading these ‘collected
items.’
In so doing, I came to the July-August 1971 issue of
‘I.M.A.’ This issue is in memory of our beloved founder and
publisher of Stemgas Publishing Company, the Reverend Elmer L.
Ritzman. From a humble beginning in 1947 to 9,000 subscribers in 25
years. His inspiration, was in reality the beginning of the steam
shows, and his efforts have preserved the past for the present and
the future. I feel very honored and grateful for having known him
as a personal friend. Certainly his acquaintance, his faith and
love of people has added much to the life of those who knew him. He
was indeed, a great and humble man.
In this July-August issue, is an article by Ted Knack of St.
Paul Park, Minnesota. The story of another passing, or so it was
designated by Congress, to terminate a boat’s career. This
‘Great Lady,’ none other than the majestic riverboat, the
‘Delta Queen.’ My one fantasy had long been to some day
board this boat and cruise down Old Man River. Since that article
came out, through the efforts of Delta Queen fans, and Senators
Robert Taft (of Ohio) and Hugh Scott (of Pa.) they sponsored a bill
that exempted the steam paddle wheeler from provisions of the
‘Safety at Sea’ law. Thus the veteran of some 50 years is
still cruising the waters of the Mississippi and Ohio from New
Orleans to Pittsburgh, and St. Paul. At any rate, it was this
article by Ted Knack, that prompted me to add another chapter.
My wife, Hazel, and I, having had the opportunity to board the
Delta Queen on two occasions, will say that those relaxing
adventures are moments never to be forgotten. In ’76 we cruised
down the Mississippi River from St. Paul to St. Louis (July
29-August 3). In ’77 we were again fortunate to get
reservations in our same cabin, number 336, on top deck. This time
we went aboard at Cincinnati and cruised up the Ohio River to
Pittsburgh, and back (September 16-23). This cruise was indeed a
historic trip. A bus tour through Pittsburgh was highlighted by a
ride up the Monongahela incline railway, constructed over 100 years
ago. It was quite a contrast to the 64 story, all steel building,
841′ high, in downtown Pittsburgh. We were really impressed by
the old river towns, stopping off at East Liverpool, Marietta, and
Parkers-burg.
The friendly people and the leisure atmosphere are typical of
the Delta Queen. The food was generous and excellent. We were
assigned to table #23 for this trip; together with another couple
from Canton, Ohio, Paul and Donna Kutcher. It was a thrilling
occasion on September 23, when the Kutchers were surprised by the
gift of a fancy 35th wedding anniversary cake ‘on the
house’ ‘boat house,’ that is. Congratulations were in
order and it was a picture-taking event. Upon landing in
Cincinnati, the Kutchers were gracious to drive us to the airport.
Thankful we are for friends like that. We harbor hopes to meet them
again, just maybe on the Delta Queen.
History on the Delta Queen is indeed a book by itself. Perhaps
one of the better publications is ‘The Saga of the Delta
Queen’ by Frederick Way, Jr. The ‘Queen’ was built at
Stockton, California in 1926, at an all time high cost of any river
stern wheeler, $875,000. The steel hull, 258′ by 58′ was
fabricated in Glascow, Scotland. The paddle wheel shaft and cranks
were cast in Krupp, Germany. The cross-compound condensing engine
was built by C. H. Evans & Company, San Francisco, using a
‘California cut-off’ valve arrangement. The cylinders are
52′ and 26′ by 10′ stroke, rated 2,000 horsepower at
150 pounds pressure. Two water tube boilers are fired with
‘Bunker C’ (no. 6 crude oil). The fuel tank capacity is
42,000 gallons. The pit mans turning the paddle wheel at 15
rpm’s are 40′ long and weigh 10 ton each. The paddle wheel
has 28 arms, diameter 28′ and 19′ wide, with a 28′
water dip. The speed of the luxury liner is from 3 to 7 miles per
hour. It was designed to carry 200 passengers on overnight trips on
the Sacramento River.
The depression years of the 1930s slowed down business and when
the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy took over the two
identical boats; the Delta Queen and the Delta King, painted them
gray and used them for serious duties during the war, ferrying
troops to and from ocean going vessels in San Francisco Bay, and
wounded men from ships to hospitals. In 1946 the Navy auctioned off
the Delta King for $60,000 to an ocean firm, the Delta Queen for
$46,000; the only bid received. It was purchased by Tom Greene of
Green line Steamers, Cincinnati. An ocean going tug was engaged to
pull the Queen, and on April 19, left San Francisco and arrived in
New Orleans one month later via the Panama Canal, a distance of
5,261 miles without incident. It was then taken to Pittsburgh for
complete overhaul where it remained until February 1, 1948, making
a trip to Cairo, Illinois by June 30, 1948. Since that time it has
built up nostalgic popularity and public support, being listed in
the National Register of Historic Places.
In trying to picture a cruise on the Delta Queen, I am at a loss
for words. One is free to roam the boat, to write letters, or play
cards in the main lounge, play ‘boat-bingo,’ buy films,
souvenirs, soft drinks (and others), join the sing-a-long in the
Texas lounge. There is live entertainment and dancing in the
evenings. It is very interesting passing through the river locks,
meeting the many barges, passing under or through drawbridges with
no two alike. It is interesting to watch the steady valve motions
of the steam engines, the powerful strokes of the connecting rod
arms, the constant mist about the huge paddle wheel and the endless
river sweels left behind; definitely a past time never to be
forgotten. In this age of space talk, speed and confusion, this
nostalgic lure of the past has no comparison. Try it, you’ll be
glad you did. It’s fantastic!
