March/April

March 1, 1948: Delta Queen Returns to Cincinnati

On March 1, 1948, the Delta Queen made an historical return to Cincinnati after a $750,000 refurbishing to restore it to navigable condition for river travel following wartime duties.

March 17, 1811: New Orleans Launched in Pittsburgh

Cincinnati began its love affair with steamboating on this date in history, with the launching of the steamboat New Orleans on the Monongahela River across from Pittsburgh. Her trip down the Ohio to Cincinnati later that year marked the first steamboat arrival at what would later become the Port of Cincinnati.

April 25, 1838: 150-Ton Moselle Explodes on Inland Waters

In one of the most tragic early episodes on inland water, the boiler of a new steamboat, the 150-ton Moselle, exploded after its departure from the Cincinnati public landing. The boat was making a short stop at Fulton, which was a landing just up the river near what today is known as Lunken Airport. The explosion blew the pilot across the river into Kentucky. Low in the water, the Moselle was down with only the chimneys and a small portion of her upper works showing. The tragedy took 85 lives and injured many more.

Captain Perrin had been the skipper of the Moselle, and was reputed to have taken great pride in her speed. He was rumored to have resorted to a number of tricks to increase the power and speed of the boat, liberally feeding resin into boiler fires. Necessary landings were often made with great haste, and in most cases, Perrin would hold onto all of his steam instead of allowing the excess to escape at the safety valve.

After the Moselle explosion, a Cincinnati editor courageously admitted the responsibility carried by news media for the disaster. He wrote, "·we plead guilty, in common with the other presses to having praised the speed and power of the boat, which doubtless goaded the captain and owners to excell others in rapidity. The press must change its tone. Safety is better than speed."

April 1974: Coca-Cola Company Rescues Mississippi Queen

In April of 1974, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company bought out Overseas National Airways, consequently saving the refurbishment of the Mississippi Queen. The boat, which was under construction by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, had enormously overrun budget estimates. Projected costs for the construction plans were about $27 million. In addition, parent company Overseas National Airways had suffered two catastrophic plane crashes. Coca-Cola's purchase of the company ensured plans for the Mississippi Queen would be carried out.

April, 1985: Delta Queen Steamboat Company Moves Headquarters

In April of 1985, the Delta Queen Steamboat Company moved its headquarters from Cincinnati to near the mouth of the Mississippi River at New Orleans under the direction of company president Frank Fried.