King and Queen of the River : The Legendary Paddle-Wheel Steamboats Delta King and Delta Queen (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Exceptionally well written … an incredible story that has been waiting to be told for more than half a century." -- Steamboat Journal

"It will soon be known as the definitive work on the subject." -- Steamboat Bill

A wonderfully human story ... written in depth about a striking piece of Americana. -- Karl Kortum, founder of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Like the boats, this book is a treasure. -- San Francisco Chronicle

Little-revealed connections between two vintage riverboats are revealed in this rare examination of the Delta Queen and King: California steamboats which served in the war, then were separated. One needn't be a riverboat fan in order to appreciate this fine California history, which captures the romance and drama of early riverboat days and the paddle-wheel era. -- Midwest Book Review

Probably the best existing re-creation of life and labor on the night boats. -- George W. Hilton, Prof. Em. UCLA

Product Description

This is the remarkable story of paddle-wheel steamers Delta King and Delta Queen, California'slast and most beloved riverboats. Since moving to the Mississippi and Ohio over half a century ago, the Delta Queen has become the world's most famous steamboat. Born in the Roaring Twenties, these historic vessels carried passengers nightly between San Francisco and Sacramento from 1927 to 1940. They offered romantic overnight cruises with dining, dancing and jazz. After serving the U.S. Navy in World War II, they went their separate ways--the Queen through the Panama Canal to America's heartland and the King to Canada where for seven years it was stranded on dry ground. The Delta Queen found fame and fortune in her new life on rivers of the Midwest and South--and still operates there today. In sharp contrast, the Delta King suffered 40 years of hardship, gloom, heartbreak--with sinkings, landlocking, fires, and piracy. Finally, the King was restored at Sacramento as a beautiful floating hotel. This is truly a tale of "riches to rags to riches." Through lively interviews, anecdotes, photos, maps, and lyrical prose, King & Queen of the River covers the unknown story of these legendary steamboats from the Roaring Twenties to the 1990s.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: River Heritage Press; 1st edition (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964251337
• ISBN-13: 978-0964251335
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,391,528 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riverboats: The way they were, October 25, 2001

By	F.F. Fletcher CDR USNR RET (The capital of California) - See all my reviews

Author Garvey takes us back in time, initially allowing us in on the construction of two steam powered stern-wheelers built in 1927 in Stockton, California. These craft plied the Sacramento River between San Francisco and the state capital from the late 1920s to the early 1940s. Both - however - served (in grey paint) during World War II

Garvey takes particular care in tracking the various machinations which leave the "Delta Queen" still steaming today on the Mississippi River. By means of the same careful process, Garvey indicates that the "Delta King" is tied up sans boilers or engines pierside right in the middle of Old Sacramento.....as a floating hotel and restaurant.

Commentary, photographs and interviews from the bygone days when these two ships carried passengers (and their automobiles) plus cargo in elegant style are reflected in this charming book which points to a differing pace of life. Included are such variables as fog, change of ownership, schedules, emergencies, piracy, lawsuits and the community leadership which befell this pair of 285-foot, circa 1850-ton displacement vessels.

I was on vacation when I checked this wonderful book out from the California State Library. The book took four delicious days to read and - to an admitted history buff - become touched by the sensitive and insightful look at the way it was on the Sacramento River - steaming at 8 to 10 knots - during 1927 to 1940.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steamboats: EXCELLENT History of these two SPECIAL boats, March 26, 2002

By	Pat Traynor (Marco Island, FL United States) - See all my reviews

For anyone who is a steamboat and/or history buff, this is a must book to read. Very clearly written and thoroughly descriptive of these 2 boats from their construction until 1999. Wonderful pictures! An interesting update should be written about the Queen's latest brush with going into oblivion in 2001. This is a part of our American heritage that all too few people know about. If I hasn't already been acquainted with the DQ after reading Mr. Garvey's book, I would have immediatly booked a cruise to find out what it's all about - once aboard that boat, a person becomes hooked on riverboat cruising. Next goal if to visit the DK in Sacramento! GREAT BOOK!!