Steamboat DELTA QUEEN Gains New Chance for Existence after Over a Decade, under New Ownership
Historic Steamboat Delta Queen Up for Sale
The iconic steamboat Delta Queen, a beloved fixture on the Mississippi River System, is now for sale after more than a decade under the care of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company (DQSC). The historic vessel, which was saved from being scrapped in 2015, has been put up for public purchase with the aim of preserving and restoring the vessel under new ownership.
Despite successful efforts to secure federal legislation and funding for its full refurbishment to carry overnight passengers again in 2018, the necessary funding never materialized. Consequently, DQSC has decided to seek a buyer who can continue the conservation and restoration efforts. The restoration is expected to require millions of dollars to make the boat operational once more.
The sale was publicly announced and became active as of mid-2025. The current owners have maintained the vessel for over ten years but now seek a buyer who can carry on the conservation and restoration efforts. The future use of the Delta Queen, such as cruising as an overnight boat or functioning as a floating hotel, is optional.
Hurricane Ida caused significant damage to the Delta Queen in 2021, leaving lingering water damage on the interior of the Sun Deck and some Texas Deck cabins. Some insurance covered critical repairs, but the full extent of the damage remains.
Interested parties are encouraged to contact the Delta Queen Steamboat Company at [email protected]. The listing price for the Delta Queen is not disclosed by the company.
In a separate announcement, Captain Don Sanders, a river man and columnist for the NKY Tribune, is promoting the sale of his book, "Capt. Don Sanders The River". The hardback book, published by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, features 264 pages of storytelling and pictures, priced at $29.95 plus handling and applicable taxes. The book can be purchased by mail from the Delta Queen Steamboat Company's website, or found for sale at Roebling Books locations, the Behringer Crawford Museum, and the St. Elizabeth Healthcare gift shops.
The preservation of the Delta Queen for posterity is a priority, even above profit. The sellers of the Delta Queen refuse to allow it to meet the same fate as the American Queen, which was sold and dismantled. The Delta Queen and its twin, the Delta King, originally ran overnight trips between Sacramento and San Francisco. During the Second World War, both boats served as "Yard Ferry Boats" for the U.S. Navy.
The Delta Queen obtained an exemption from the SOLAS (Safety at Sea Law) in 1970 and 2018, allowing it to continue operating as a steam-powered vessel. The goal is to preserve the National Historical Landmark Delta Queen for posterity, ensuring its legacy as a symbol of American history and engineering prowess.
[1] NKY Tribune, "Delta Queen Steamboat Company Announces Sale of Historic Steamboat", [Date of Publication], URL [2] Delta Queen Steamboat Company, "Capt. Don Sanders The River", [Product Page], URL [3] Delta Queen Steamboat Company, "Delta Queen for Sale", [Press Release], URL [4] Delta Queen Steamboat Company, "Delta Queen History", [Company Website], URL [5] Delta Queen Steamboat Company, "Delta Queen Restoration", [Company Website], URL
- The Delta Queen, a legendary steamboat in Northern Kentucky, is currently up for sale to preserve and restore its historic vessel under new ownership.
- Despite previous efforts to secure funding for its refurbishment, the necessary funds were never procured, leading the Delta Queen Steamboat Company to seek a buyer for its conservation and restoration.
- In a separate announcement, Captain Don Sanders' book, "Capt. Don Sanders The River", detailing tales of the river and the Delta Queen, can be purchased from the Delta Queen Steamboat Company's website, along with other locations.
- The Delta Queen, a national historical landmark, obtained exemptions from the SOLAS (Safety at Sea Law) in 1970 and 2018, allowing it to continue operating as a steam-powered vessel and symbolizing American history and engineering prowess.
