By Jan Galletta
Staff Writer
Even as work crews cleaned up after the weekend's rowing regatta, river travel enthusiasts of another sort gathered today at Ross's Landing to protest the Delta Queen's projected retirement next year.
"I've seen it here many times and wanted to come back to check it out in case this is the last time it visits the city," said Bill Scoville of Chattanooga. "I hope something can happen to keep it afloat."
U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn, told supporters of the move to exempt the landmark steamboat from fire-code restrictions that he was resolved to try to keep the boat, built in 1926, from dry dock.
"Everyone knows it's an icon," he said. "We ought to grant an exception to keep it on the water."
Holding "Save the Delta Queen" signs, rally participants watched passengers board it en route to Decatur, Ala. Among them was Chattanoogan Jerry Garrett, who said he first rode the vessel in 1977.
E-mail Jan Galletta at jgalletta@timesfreepress.com
For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.
