When The Delta Queen Became ‘Steamboat One’
While still in office, former President Jimmy Carter, who died December 29 at the age of 100, vacationed on the historic steamboat Delta Queen for a week beginning on August 17, 1979. According to Judy Patsch, longtime friend and historian of the steamboat community, Carter had heard about what a cruise aboard the Delta Queen was like from a member of Congress and decided to experience it for himself.
“The company wanted him to ride the Mississippi Queen, but he said no,” Patsch said, referring to the Delta Queen Steamboat Company’s then-new vessel that entered service in 1976. “It was the Delta Queen or nothing. He wanted the old-timey boat.”
About two weeks before Carter’s cruise was to begin, a representative from the U.S. Secret Service came aboard to inspect the Delta Queen and, ultimately, give clearance for the president’s cruise.
According to Patsch, the president, his wife, Rosalynn, and his team only took up the corner of the starboard sun deck, which meant the vast majority of the cruise’s passengers were able to sail as planned. Carter took part in shore excursions and socialized with passengers, even sharing meals with fellow cruisers throughout the week.
“He spent a lot of time up in the pilothouse,” Patsch said.
Patsch got on the Delta Queen twice during the weeklong cruise, once in the Quad Cities area of Illinois and Iowa and a second time at Hannibal, Mo. During the Hannibal stop, Patsch and Lexie Palmore, who served as a pilot aboard the Delta Queen, had the idea to craft a new nameplate for the Delta Queen dubbing it “Steamboat 1,” akin to Air Force One and Marine One, the president’s airplane and helicopter, respectively. Patsch had to go ashore as the Delta Queen left for its next stop, but Palmore stayed aboard for a night to finish the nameplate.
“She felt guilty for leaving me to travel to St. Louis by myself, so she got this photo for me,” Patsch said in a Facebook post. “I spoke to both Carters on the St. Louis levee as they left the boat.
“Other than a couple of politicians in Burlington, I think I was the only non-passenger allowed on the boat during the trip,” she added. “Capt. Martin said I was a friend of his, the Secret Service searched my purse, and that was it. I was cleared to board. Times have changed!”
Patsch said, at the time of Carter’s trip, the Delta Queen was struggling for passengers, with the expense and the draw of the newer and larger Mississippi Queen. The publicity of the president’s voyage, though, was good business for the Delta Queen.
“The Delta Queen pretty much sold out the next season,” Patsch said.
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Feature photo caption: A signed photo of former President Jimmy Carter (center) alongside Capt. Charlie Fehlig (left) and Capt. Fred Martin in the pilothouse of the steamer Delta Queen. Carter vacationed on the Delta Queen for a week starting August 17, 1979. (Photo courtesy of Judy Patsch)
