Delta Queen Prepared to Leave Chattanooga With Fanfare

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF-TV) -Take a good look–and maybe a few photos of the Delta Queen moored over at Coolidge Park.
That national treasure steamboat will soon limp down to New Orleans where it will be fully restored and ready to ply America’s waterways.

There was a party atmosphere back in 2009 when the Delta Queen moved to Chattanooga. Built in 1926, it was the only riverboat still active that had the original boilers.
Over the years the Queen became a boutique hotel, and then fell into dis-repair.
The owners argued with the city over rent payments and it drew public criticism, until it was finally bought last month by New Orleans businessman Cornel Martin. Now, things are looking up for the Delta Queen.

LEAH ANN INGRAM, V.P., THE DELTA QUEEN STEAMBOAT COMPANY "We’re working on getting her exemption, getting her back on the water. So we’re headed to New Orleans region to get her fitted for new boilers and give her a facelift..and hopefully get her back cruising next year."

The departure is set for Sunday, with a farewell party.

LEAH ANN INGRAM "We’re going to do a big party for the Delta Queen..over on the Southern Bell and actually escort her out of town."

Ingram says the Southern Bell will likely be packed with passengers at 25-dollars a head…who will sail along-side the Delta Queen.

CAPTAIN MIKE CARD, THE SOUTHERN BELL "The Delta Queen came into the area to be a hotel. We loved having her here…its a beautiful boat. So..and of course the boat was built in 1926…so its kind of a national icon …we just want to show her the respect she deserves."

For the owners of the Delta Queen…it could have been less than cordial—but that’s not the case.

LEAN ANN INGRAM "If it wouldn’t have been for bringing the Delta Queen to Chattanooga…the Queen would not have survived and we wouldn’t have this opportunity to put her back on the river…so thank you Chattanooga."

The Delta Queen’s owners are waiting for a waiver of the 1966 Safety of the Sea law, as the 5-million dollar make-over begins.
After that, the Delta Queen could once again begin carrying passengers on the nation’s waterways.