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Park the Delta Queen in Natchez
Published Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Think of Natchez and you immediately think of the Mississippi River.
Think of the river and you’re mind quickly conjures up images of steamboats, steamboats like the Delta Queen.
Built in 1926, the vessel has been cruising the Big Muddy for decades. But its big red paddlewheel may soon slow to a halt unless something is done to stop the government from being over protective.
Next year, a special exemption granted to the big wooden boat will expire and with it, so will a long history of riverboat mystique.
The U.S. Coast Guard is concerned that the vessel may become a firetrap for its passengers should an accident occur. While that’s certainly a concern, one would think the exemption, which has been granted for decades would be continued.
We hope the federal government will reconsider its ruling that will effectively kill the boat’s future.
But if the Delta Queen is no longer allowed to cruise with passengers, perhaps some entrepreneur will buy her and dock her in Natchez.
What an amazing place to tell the history of the Natchez story? Could it become the fourth key part to the Natchez National Historical Park? Perhaps that’s a bit of a pipe dream, but the idea is worth floating.
The Delta Queen has been a good friend to Natchez. Maybe in her waning years, Natchez can be a good friend to the Delta Queen. It’s worth doing some thinking about, perhaps as we look up river and wonder “what if?”
Comments
Posted by Idefinitelymight (Tom Scarborough) on August 28, 2007 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a great idea. Get rid of the "Pile of Debris" casino that is currently berthed Under-the-Hill, and berth the Delta Queen there. It could have a nice restaurant, maybe a shop or two, and historical exhibits. It would add a lot of character to an historical part of town that has been effectively rendered dead by one man's desire to make it his own little playground. Under-the-Hill should be teeming with tourists visiting shops and restaurants, but because this individual has bought up nearly all of the buildings and forced out the businesses that inhabited them, it is not. The Delta Queen could be the first step toward reversing the efforts of this person to kill off Under-the-Hill.
Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on August 28, 2007 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is an excellent idea and what an attraction for the Miss-Lou area. Vidalia and Natchez would both benefit from this "museum piece". What can we as citizens do to expedite the promotion of this idea?
Posted by natchezbum (anonymous) on August 28, 2007 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RIGHT ON IDEFINITLEYMIGHT. I KNOW THE MAN YOUR TALKING ABOUT
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on August 28, 2007 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's actually a great idea Democrats board. Someone could purchase it and charge admission for tours. It could have a dinner theater complete with bands and stand-up comedians.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on August 28, 2007 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As I was reading the story, the same thing popped in my mind. It would most definitely be a great attraction for Natchez. Idefinitelymight hit the nail on the head with her opinion of the "bigger than life ego" of the man under the hill. He's tried to create his own little world down there and has robbed all of us of the sheer joy of visiting under the hill. I remember so much about the fun we could have down there years ago. Most people I know will not go down there anymore and that is sad. I remember our first steamboat race held down there. WHAT FUN WE HAD. He took all that away from us. Thanks for speaking up. I salute you for your courage.
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on August 28, 2007 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It only seems right for this to become a reality. It would be an honor and a privelage for her to be permanently docked in Natchez but it would be kind of sad in a way to see that beautiful ship docked next to the ugly casinos plus what Under-the-Hill has become. Under-the-hill used to be a "destination" for many just a few years ago, but now it just isn't much of that anymore since the spirit of Under-the-Hill has been dampened by the selfish move of one individual who has made Under-the-Hill his very own. Under-the-Hill was a treasure that should have remained very public for all to enjoy.
Posted by loventz84 (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm only 23 but i can remember when The Cock-of-the-Walk was Under-the-Hill and they held the Floozie contest every year. I used to love going to them and seeing all the old "costumes" they wore. I would love to see the Delta Queen docked here or even in Vicksburg. It's a big part of the Mississippi River's history.
Posted by deltaqueensmile (anonymous) on August 30, 2007 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for your concern about saving the DELTA QUEEN. I'm a member of a recently formed grassroots effort to SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN. She must be saved as she is, traveling up and down the Mississippi River system, not tethered somewhere permanently to die a slow death. It seems Congress's reluctance to grant an exemption this year, after doing so every 10 years or so for the last 40 years is because the new company that bought the DELTA QUEEN last year did not hire Seafarer International Union labor this year. So it appears many of our Congressmen and Senators are owned by the unions. The Congressman from Minnesota, James L. Oberstar, Chairman of the Transportation Committee has informed Majestic America Line there is no way he will let an exemption be granted. So who is really running this country? Folks, now is the time for your to stand up and be heard. Don't delay, write today, to your Congressman and Senators and be heard loud and clear. SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN!
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