So, now what?

The outcome was just what many of us expected. No surprise that the bill died in committee.
You probably know the bill got a new number and change of wording. Even if it had come out of committee and passed it now would go back to the House for conference and the House has gone home.

Jim Reising said on this board four years ago " steam is dead" and somebody should say wooden structure boats have seen their day. I have sat in meetings with certain regulatory agencies where the brass has repeatedly said, no COI for the DQ.

I remember sitting in one of the parlor rooms at Howard's having a great debate with JoAnn Schoen about the possibility of the DQ running again. If ever there was a lady I grew to admire it was JoAnn, her dedication, zest and determination to the DQ effort was unsurpassed. Somebody ought to name a boat for her.

Delta Queen Riverboat and Bill S2924

Ok so we did not win this time. I think the DQ should be back on the water and I positively refuse to give up on her.So lets martial ALL our efforts an give it another go around in 2015. We still can do it with a little patience.This lovely iconic old riverboat needs us all to be in there and all the respect we can give her as she has earned it. Bill Judd do not give up on her a get back in there with us. I just know we CAN make this happen. Everybody don't give up an lets keep pulling for her no matter how long it takes. Three steamboat whistle blows for her an 3 cheers. Hip Hip Hooray Hip Hip Horray an Hip Hip Hooray.So give it all you got in 2015.Thanks Carole Matthews Pompano Beach Fla [email protected] Do not give up........

Bill Judd;33876 wrote:
I remember sitting in one of the parlor rooms at Howard's having a great debate with JoAnn Schoen about the possibility of the DQ running again. If ever there was a lady I grew to admire it was JoAnn, her dedication, zest and determination to the DQ effort was unsurpassed. Somebody ought to name a boat for her.

AMEN to that, Brother Bill!

Bill and Frank, you are too kind. You see, it's just that I'm a stubborn mule and believe right should prevail. So we keep fighting to make it happen. As Coach Jimmy V said, Never give up. Don't ever give up.

Delta Queen Riverboat Bill S 2924

3 cheers for you Jo Anne Schoen. I will be right there too fighting for that beautiful iconic old riverboat with everything I can. Come on everyone an lets give it another go around I know we can do it.It is a done deal and look out for us here comes 2015....Carole Matthews Pompano Beach Florida 33064 an my e mail is [email protected] Thanks for reading.

Bill Judd;33876 wrote:
You probably know the bill got a new number and change of wording. Even if it had come out of committee and passed it now would go back to the House for conference and the House has gone home.

That is correct, but when the new wording was proposed it was very openly discussed with us (DQSC, LLC), the National Trust, and Chabot's office, who was working closely with the Speaker of the House. If the Senate had passed the bill in time, the House had already agreed to accept and pass the changes. Point is, we knew the impact of the added language and had a plan. The bill nearly passed in September until the hold was put on it for "constituency reasons" which effectively killed it by running out the clock.

Bill Judd;33876 wrote:
I have sat in meetings with certain regulatory agencies where the brass has repeatedly said, no COI for the DQ.

This is a misleading statement. If someone were to attemp to put the vessel back in service as it is, with the original boilers, steamlines and expansion joints, then yes, the USCG would never issue a COI.

We have been in talks with high ranking officials in the USCG since the very beginning. It only makes business since to do so. We wanted to ensure we had a chance of getting a COI before devoting all the time, money and resources we have into the project. The USCG, while never going to be openly supportive of the DQ, has said under certain circumstances and if certain conditions were met (ie, new boilers, enclosures and main steam lines) they would work with us to ensure the Delta Queen was safe, would pass inspection and in turn be issued a COI. If the vessel meets all the CFR's to their satisfaction, how could they deny her a COI? At the end of the day, everyone involved has the same goal, to make the Delta Queen as safe as possible for the sake of her passengers, crew and the vessel itself.

As for the legislation; time has in fact past for it to be passed in this congress. However, we have already had fruitful discussions with members of both the House and Senate. There are multiple members ready to reintroduce the revised language next year and push it through along with the many other bills passed in the House during this past Congress that did not make it in the Senate.

On a personal note, and representing myself alone, I would like to extend a huge amount of admiration and appreciation to those who have come down to support the Delta Queen during her time as a hotel in Chattanooga. I won't name names for fear of accidentally leaving someone out, but whether it was a few dollars spent in the bar or gift shop, lodging or in some case pure elbow grease polishing brass and working on equipment, these fine folks selflessly gave back to the ole girl when she most needed it. That to me is the definition and epitome of a Delta Queen supporter. I wish there were more like you.

Its easy to make assumptions, pass judgement or criticize from behind a keyboard hundreds of miles away, but credibility comes from those who were there, strained their backs, busted their knuckles and have true sweat equity in the project of keeping the boat alive since her arrival in Chattanooga in 2009.

Delta Queen Riverboat and Phillip Johnsons post

Just read MrJhonsons post about someone putting a hold on the Delta Queen Bill which is now.S2924 in order to run out the clock.I do not see what was gained by doing that an the bill has been sitting in limbo since May of 2013 like 20 months.3 cheers for all those who personaly looked after the boat while in Chatanooga and they should be commended.I could not be there as I was on my way there when it was shut down as a hotel due to freezing an flood issues.However 2015 will be here soon and my State of Florida is 100 percent in favor of getting the DQ back on the water.We will be right back there on the phones writing e mailing an doing whatever we can to help out So we may be far away but we will see this through an I guarantee you I will not give up till my favorite riverboat is back in service.Thanks for readiing.Carole Matthews Pompano Beach Fla 33064 [email protected] PS Happy Holidays to everyone.excuse spelling

Civics Reality

The DQ legislation is a lesson in how things REALLY work in the Congress. Regardless of the merits of a Bill, the committee chairman holds all of the power to move a Bill from the committee to the floor (see also: Oberstar, James). The "constituent hold" may have been made at the request of a Senator with constituents with competing interests on the western rivers, or a Senator with other constituents that have an interest in keeping the DQ tied up at the shore and not operating for reasons unknown. That is the sad reality.

The real work to move any legislation is done well in advance and quietly behind the scenes. The letter campaigns and hearings are all peripheral to making things work in the Congress, regardless of who is in the majority.

When I have time I can tell you how our local Museum received a $50,000 grant from the State legislature in return for a willing delegate's unpopular vote to support a pet project of the Governor.

Wesley

Delta Queen Riverboat Bill S2924

Wesley Thanks for that informative post an I hope everyone gets to read it as it puts an entirely different aspect on how things really work in Washington DC Carole Matthews Pompano Beach Fla 33064 [email protected] PS I will still be in there fighting for her to get back in service for as long as it takes.Thanks again

I was glad to read Phillip's reply that there had been plans made to deal with the changed wording of the bill because, when I read the changed bill, it appeared to me to be a complete game changer that would result in having to revise the whole business plan.
My question is who determines what replacing 10% of the non-fire resistant structure each year actually means? Does that mean you replace 25 ft. of length each year for 10 years, or do you start at the top and replace 5 ft. of height each year?
Can an operator afford to lay-up the boat each year for the length of time it would take to replace 10% of the structure and still have the boat pay for itself?
Nelson Jones said when they got into converting the DOGWOOD into a passenger vessel, they soon learned that new construction would have been a lot easier and cheaper than conversion. I really believe that the future management of the DQ will find truer words were never spoken.

Jim, Speaking of the Dogwood, what ever happened to her? Last i heard she was down south somewhere - perhaps under private ownership.

John: The Dogwood was sold by Nelson to Scott Chotin in New Orleans, Chotin sold her to an outfit called Louisiana Marine over in Cut Off, La. Still used as a private yacht type for corporate affairs.

*The DOGWOOD was a beauty*
Hi, Bill, John, Jim & steamboating colleagues,
I know we're probably bringing in another topic RE: the DOGWWOOD on this thread making it a 'dual topic.'

Any of here here who knew, saw, rode the DOGWOOD can attest to what a beauty she was back then and probably now. The late Nelson Jones put a ton of money in to have her upgraded, remodeled. Though of steel construction, her interiors had been completely reworked with cabins, cook house, lounge etc. I did note, though, the fine wood panels, cabinets, surfaces and other similar fixtures. I've since become a tad 'foggy' on what the full intent Nelson had for her either in service of his company or even doing limited passenger cruising. Next thing I know she was sold and gone. Capt. Bill, what were the reasons, decisions why she was sold? Even serving as somewhat of a "private yacht," would she be held to the same Coast Guard regulations and inspections? Heck, I don't know. I only know what I saw and liked. Well, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

Dale the DOGWOOD as rebuilt by Nelson Jones was as good as it gets, no cost was spared in the rebuild. The interior was almost beyond belief. As I think you know the DOGWOOD was a former river class C.G. cutter. The Jones's bought her at a GSA auction in 1994. She had new engines, second deck enlarged and all new galley and staterooms. She was set up for 12 guests (paying) in 6 staterooms. The Coast Guard set the number of passengers and number of crew needed.

Nelson set up a new company called Dogwood Cruises, Inc. I have a brochure listing 3 day trips Cinti to Louisville, Kentucky River Cinti to Frankfort, Green River and Cumberland River trips.

The idea just did not catch on, the boat was a big loser and Nelson just gave up. Now Capt. Scott Chotin had had a large ex towboat converted into a private yacht called the CATERPILLER which he sold to some big oil company and was looking for its replacement and the DOGWOOD fit the bill. Now under his ownership and the present owner all the guests are freeloaders, both overnighters and just corp. party guests so the C.G. has nothing to say.

DOGWOOD's captain

Roddy Hammett was set to take over as the DOGWOOD's captain, but of course did not live to see that day.

I think the Dogwood's re-design was done by marine architect Bill Preston. She was in Louisville for Custer's steamboat history conference and I took a tour of her. Yes indeed, a beautiful interior.

I was lucky to be invited by Nelson to ride the DOGWOOD to Frankfort after the steamboat conference. We left the landing and tied off the steam barge ANNIE MARIE to Jamie Donohue's WINNIE MAE at Harrods Creek. From there we went light boat to Frankfort. Just above Madison, before we got to Kentucky River, we encountered one of the best summer night time thunderstorms I've ever witnessed on the river. It was glorious. Since the locks only operated during daylight hours, we tied off on the lower guide wall of lock 1 about 1 AM. At 7 the lock master showed up and we proceeded on up to Frankfort arriving there about 4 in the afternoon.
Attached is a picture I took of the DOGWOOD tied off at Frankfort.

*Riding the DOGWOOD/Pictures*
Hi, Jim & Steamboating colleagues,
Jim great picture of the DOGWOOD along with your memories 'tripping' on her. That big 'Steamboat Conference' planned, organized by the Custers was one fine event for sure even if it was boiling hot in Louisville. Custers planned interesting events, trips, speakers, seminars in the hotel and on the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE.

Much later on the upper river, I had one of those "Psssst, hang around and we'll take you out on her for the day," moments Nelson said. I'll never forget it for sure. And BOY! did people party when aboard. I 'think' I recall the fine fixtures, wood panels etc. being either walnut or teakwood--Bill Judd may remember for sure as would you. No surprise Nelson finally abandoned the cruise business. I thought even then the DOGWOOD needed more passengers cabins along with direct promotion to the 'niche market.' Too bad.

Talked to our John Fryant about photos, 35 mm. slide converson units and just received a 'Wolverine F2D Might Film to Digital Converter.' I've a zillion color 35 mm. slides and prints going way, way back to convert. Hope to post some if I ever master the art of dowloading on .org. Cheers!

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

The Dogwood

Nice picture.I was not familiar with the Dogwood but now I am an pulled up a larger photo on line by posting its name. Tell me Dogwood is sort of an odd name for a boat.Do you or anyone know how it got the name? Is Nelson still living?Carole Matthews Pompano Beach in sunny South Florida Merry Xmas to all. [email protected]

Dogwood Riverboat

There is a huge picture of the Dogwood on a site icalled Charter World an it gives all sorts of facts like age size engine data. so you might want to look that one up? It shows a lot of detail. Thanks Carole Matthews Pompano Beach Fla again at [email protected] Thanks.Nice looking boat. There is another site I came across an its called abandoned riverboats an shows about 281 on it if anyone is interested thought I would toss that in.If not that's okay Bye.

Carole, as mentioned, DOGWOOD was an old Coast Guard buoy tender. The Coast Guard names their boats after groups of things -- in this case, the boat was named after a dogwood tree. Another boat in that "series" was the GREENBRIER, I believe. They have boats named after Indian tribes (OUACHITA, CHIPPEWA, KICKAPOO), various rivers (MUSKINGUM, KANKAKEE, KANAHWA), tools (AXE, CLAMP, HATCHET). I guess you get the idea!

Dogwood Boat

Thanks Bob Reynolds for the info. on the Dogwood. Carole Matthews Pompano Beach Fla [email protected] Very helpful.

Capt. Reynolds is quite right. The Coast Guard river bout tenders when I first started working on the river in 1952 where all named like the DOGWOOD for trees or plants.
Dogwood, Fern, Forsythia, Foxglove, Goldenrod, Lantana, Oleander, Poplar, Sumac and Sycamore. Boy this thread has really strayed off subject.

I amplified my title

I was able to edit the original title and added the DOGWOOD, as the postings are certainly interesting and I'd like them to be found. While the DOGWOOD certainly was not the DQ, its fate has sort of paralleled that of the DQ. She certainly was lovingly cared for by Nelson Jones, with the intention of making her a tourist boat. Now, Bill, to stray even farther: when you mention all those plants, it reminds me of a Japanese shipping company which named all its ships African fill-in-the-blank flower. I remember the African Violet in particular, for no reason. These were around when I started working on the NATCHEZ back in 1984. I haven't seen them for years.