Photograph of the steamboat DELTA QUEEN near a railroad bridge north of Hannibal, Mo. "15 barge tow ran into this bridge knocking down center span. April 1981. Turn table swing section on left side of picture in open position. No loss of life or boat. Accident caused by swing section tender not opening section after train passed over. Fast currant and slow opening left no place to go for the tow.”
Watching the lock walls rise beside them, the Delta Queen's passengers are all well aware that they are experiencing the final act in a chapter of American history. How sad to think that future generations may well be deprived of this unique mode of travel and escape from our society's breakneck pace.
The Delta Queen approaches Lock 26 at Alton, downbound on her last trip before being taken out of overnight passenger service. The Queen made a stately and forlorn appearance as she eased into the locks, heightened by the melancholy mood of a still early morning haze.
The master rings for "All Stop" as the Queen is secured against the lock wall and the upper gates swing shut. With the river at a low stage, the Queen was dropped about fifteen feet this morning. The city of Alton was just beginning to waken, and no spectators were on hand to watch the Queen during her final lockage at Alton.
Alone on the foredeck, a hand coils lines under the watchful eye of the mate and passengers. The landing stage has been secured since its last use at some small river town where passengers boarded.