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Affected by Her Charm: The Delta Queen
| Article
# : |
18556 |
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Section : |
LIFE
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| Issue
Date : |
4 / 1991 |
2,807 Words |
| Author
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Jerry Sinkovec
Jerry Sinkovec is a writer and photographer who lives in
Albuquerque, New Mexico. |
Standing beneath the shadow of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, I could look down flights of stairs to the Mississippi River where the old-fashioned steamboat Delta Queen was tied up to the wharf. She looked like a floating white wedding cake sitting atop a finely etched crystal platter.
She brought back memories of ten years ago when I first saw her. I was photographing at Villa Louis, a historical site in Wisconsin. In the distance, from downriver, came this unreal sound--like the sound of wailing banshees. It was the Delta Queen with her calliope proclaiming that she was about to arrive. As she pulled up to the dock, people surged forward to meet her. It was then I promised myself that someday I would take this trip on her.
As I approached the gangplank, a cabin attendant rushed off the Delta Queen and grabbed my bags. "Don't worry, sir," he said, "your bags will be outside your cabin door after you check in with the purser." What service and efficiency, I thought. On shore, at the end of the gangplank stood this beautiful gray-haired lady dressed in a turn of the century billowing dress. As she greeted me aboard, she placed a faux (plastic) pearl necklace with a Delta Queen medallion around my neck. As she did, I said, "I always thought you received a big hug when you went aboard ship." Without batting an eye, she replied, "all you'll get from me is a kiss," which she proceeded to give me. The laughter poured out from all those standing around us. It was an embarrassing moment.
After I settled into my comfortable air-conditioned cabin, I decided to explore the ship. My cabin opened into the elegant Betty Blake Lounge. It has the feeling of a parlor from a well-appointed turn of the century estate, with warmth and comfort of prime importance. The walls are covered with richly colored oil paintings of the Greene family members and prior steamboat captains. The dark, highly polished tables and bookcases contrasted with the white, gold-trimmed walls and ceiling. The crystal-covered lights give the room a soft, warm glow. The deep luxurious chairs in floral patterns and soft rose colors seemed to invite you to sit down and relax with a good book. The bookcases are filled with hundreds of books and maps, including many on the history of the Mississippi and steamboating. There is an ample supply of games for children to while away the hours.
I decided to go toward the bow, which takes you into the Forward Cabin Lounge. As you pass through the doorway, you come upon the elegant Grand Staircase. With its gleaming brass, highly polished wood
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