The National Historic Landmark Delta Queen – crewed by SIU members – will be inducted into the National Maritime Hall of Fame at a January 24 ceremony at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. A national committee of museum directors and maritime historians selected the Delta Queen for this honor.The Delta Queen -- the last operational steam paddlewheeler that has overnight accommodations – is the only National Maritime Hall of Fame boat still plying the waters. To be eligible for this award, usually the honored ship (or in this case, boat) must have been sunk or scrapped for at least five years.
However, the committee made an exception this year for the Delta Queen as it appears she will sail on for years to come.
“This is a great honor for the Delta Queen,” said Rick Abramson, president of Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Inc. “The Delta Queen is a treasured piece of Americana, and we are proud to continue to preserve a piece of our history.”
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