Sue Henry Photography 2008 All Rights Reserved. Image may not be used without permission.
The Riverfront bustled with excitement. Passengers boarding. People on the tree lined river bank watching with anticipation. The mighty whistle blew it’s “all aboard!” call. The calliope slowly got “steamed up” and began it’s melodious concert. “Give My Regards To Broadway” “My Old Kentucky Home” “Auld Lang Syne”
And then, off she began her slow and graceful voyage up the river. Presumably to Cincinnati.
Every Delta Queen visit to the Port of Paducah is possibly the “last stop.” The Delta Queen is a steamboat that is considered a National Historic Landmark and currently offering riverboat cruises on the Mississippi River and its tributaries. However, the “Queen’s” future is currently uncertain.
Is it possible that the Delta Queen images that I shot yesterday will document a little bit of history? I’m not sure. I am sure, however, that a lump formed in my throat and an ever so tiny tear formed in my eye yesterday as I photographed the magnificent vessel. Sigh. A bygone era. Memories captured.
If she gets permanently docked, the foot of Broadway in downtown Paducah will never be quite the same without her visits. “Auld Lang Syne”
3 responses so far ↓
JulieM // July 13, 2008 at 4:07 pm
A bygone era, indeed! It would certainly be a terrible shame if the Delta Queen ceased to operate. Thanks for sharing your image and the video too.
I checked out the Wikipedia page on the Delta Queen and was surprised that her original home in the 1920s was the Sacramento River not the Mississippi River.
Jo Ann Schoen // July 14, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Please call, write, email and fax your Senators and Representatives in Washington and let them know you want them to vote “yes” for the exemption to SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN!!!
JRP // July 14, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Sue, great image! The sky looks awesome. Thanks for the video as well!