Delta Queen, Historic paddle steamer in Chattanooga, US.
The Delta Queen is a wooden paddle steamer in Chattanooga that now serves as a floating hotel at Coolidge Park Landing. The vessel reaches a length of just under 87 meters and displays the traditional design of American river navigation with a large sternwheel.
The steamer was built in 1926 for passenger service on American rivers and carried over half a million travelers during its active years. In World War II the vessel served the Navy as a floating barracks and transported wounded soldiers from Pearl Harbor.
The interior follows 1920s craftsmanship with mahogany woodwork and colorful glass windows that recall older river steamers. Visitors can admire the grand staircase with crystal chandelier that reflects the elegance of river travel in that era.
The steamer is moored at Coolidge Park Landing on the Tennessee River, from where you can walk across the pedestrian bridge directly into downtown Chattanooga. Access is usually available during daytime hours, and the riverside location offers a good view of the surrounding bridges and mountains.
The steamer traveled over three million kilometers on American rivers during its service years, which equals several times the distance from Earth to the Moon. This vessel is among the few remaining wooden paddle steamers in the United States that are still preserved in their original form.
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