Bent Pitman arms--never heard of them until now.

That might be a little difficult on the Queen or the King. One thing I noticed about them on the Queen is that they are of composite wood and iron construction. No doubt that low, low rpm (I recall reading that it is something like 16 rpm max, I wonder if anyone can confirm this) is what makes using largely wooden arms practical.

I wonder how common this was in steamboating's heyday?

I too look forward to the day when she is once again steaming American in-land waterways. I was cheated out of taking a cruise on her to celebrate our 40th. Wedding Anniversary. I'm ready to buy my tickets now.

I recall that the Delta Queen operates at 8-10 rpm, 12 is really going somewhere - probably in the race with the Belle. The DQ performance was also adversely affected by all of the "stuff" added over the years, causing the hull and the wheel to sit lower in the water. This meant the wheel was pushing more water and less boat. A new hull was installed over the old hull in the early 1990s. This raised the wheel back out of the water and improved overall efficiency, or "dip".

I remember when we rode the boat in 1996 that the wheel had an uneven "beat" as it came around, even at normal speed. Back then you could visit the engine room anytime. It was quite interesting to observe operations as the boat pulled away from shore, requiring slow astern followed by slow ahead orders on the telegraph.

She was and is quite a boat with quite a story. A copy of "Saga of the Delta Queen" is recommended reading. It is the story of Tom Greene's decision to buy the boat, followed by the work to crate and tow the boat from San Francisco to New Orleans. You can find used copies of the book on eBay or Abe Books.

Wesley

Well, I wouldn't call it surges, but the deck (and boat) gently "trembles" as she's underway. It's part of the charm of the journey, and at night, you wake up when it stops (The boat either has entered a lock, or has "choked a stump;" that is, tied up to the bank, usually tied to a tree or other large, hopefully, immovable object.).
As to the surging, yes, with the simpling valve open, you would notice this, but when the condenser vacuum is where it should be, the wheel rolls 'round "right smart." However, there is some wear in the HP engine cylinder, so she's not at optimum operating conditions. Of course, there is the issue of the pitman arms' weight, which will always effect the wheel roll.
There will be a call to get the DQ's exemption through congress again, so keep your ear to the sternwheel telegraph for a call for emails!
Paddlewheelers run a lot slower than trains, but they are still a very civilized way to travel!
S'
David D.

I took a trip on the Delta Queen a few years ago. Best part was that passengers were allowed in the engine room. A couple of the engineers were recent maritime academy graduates, getting probably what will be their only experience with reciprocating steam, under the experience of some "old heads," or whatever they are called on riverboats ("Head doesn't quite seem appropriate for a person on a boat, unless as a derogatory term).

I was in the engine room one time when we were docking. At the controls was one of the new people, a rather attractive young lady. She's handling the throttle and reverse, and telegraph answers while being watched by about six other engineering guys. She's looking pretty nervous. Engine room telegraph is busy, ringing down: slow ahead, stop, full astern, slow ahead, etc. Engine speeds were determined the time per revolution. As I recall, slow was something like 10 or 12 seconds per revolution.

When the pilot house rand down, "finished with engines", everyone gave her a big cheer and a round of applause.

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Has a long-time member's account been hacked?