Delta King facts for kids
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|} The Delta King is a famous sternwheel steamboat. It is 285 feet (87 meters) long. It was built in Scotland and California. The Delta King is the sister ship of the Delta Queen. It carried passengers between Sacramento and San Francisco, California. The ship started service in 1927 and ran until 1940.
During World War II, the Delta King helped the United States Navy. After the war, it became a floating home for workers in Kitimat, British Columbia. Later, it returned to California. Today, the Delta King is a hotel, restaurant, and event place in Old Sacramento.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
| Ordered | 1924 |
| Builder |
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| Cost | $875,000 |
| Christened | 20 May 1927 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 1837 (gross) |
| Length | 285 ft (87 m) |
| Beam | 58 ft (18 m) |
| Draft | 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m) |
| Installed power | 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) Compound steam |
| Propulsion | Sternwheel |
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Delta King
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 Location in California
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| Nearest city | Sacramento, California |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1923 |
| Architect | California Transportation Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000797 |
| Added to NRHP | 31 March 1978 |
Building the Delta King
The Delta King was built in two main parts. Its strong steel bottom and steam engines were ordered in 1924. They came from the William Denny & Brothers shipyard in Dumbarton, Scotland. These parts were then shipped all the way to Stockton, California.
Putting the Ship Together
In Stockton, the California Transportation Company finished building the ship. They added the upper decks and fitted out the inside. The paddle wheel parts came from Germany. The ship was designed to be 250 feet long. It was 77.1 feet wide.
Inside the Ship
The Delta King had fancy cabins. They were made with fine woods like oak, teak, and mahogany. The cabins even had air conditioning and heating. The lower decks could carry freight and cars. The ship's engines were very powerful. They could produce 1,500 horsepower.
History of the Delta King
When the Delta King and Delta Queen started service in 1927, they were very special. They were the most luxurious and expensive sternwheel passenger boats ever built. They traveled on the Sacramento River between San Francisco and Sacramento. The trip took about 10 hours. They also went on trips to Stockton on the San Joaquin River.
Changes and War Service
In the 1930s, a new company called River Lines Inc. took over the ships. By 1940, a new highway made it easier to travel between Sacramento and San Francisco. This meant fewer people needed the steamboats. So, the Delta King and Delta Queen were put out of service.
The United States Navy then bought the ships. In November 1940, the Delta King became USS Delta King (YHB-6). It was used to house naval reservists in San Francisco Bay. Later, it became a naval ferry. In 1946, it was removed from naval service.
New Jobs and Restoration
In the 1950s, the Delta King was moved to Kitimat, British Columbia. It served as a floating home for hundreds of men. These men were building a large aluminum plant and a power project. The ship was like a bunkhouse for them.
In 1978, the Delta King was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site. By this time, many parts of the ship, like its engines and paddle wheel, had been removed.
In 1981, the ship sank while it was docked in Richmond, California. Luckily, the damage was not too bad. It was raised a year later. Then, it went through a big restoration that cost $9 million. The Delta King reopened on May 20, 1989.
The Delta King Today
Today, the Delta King is a permanent landmark in Sacramento, California. It is a popular place for visitors.
- It has a 44-room hotel where people can stay.
- There is an award-winning restaurant on board.
- It is also home to Capital Stage, a professional theater company.
The "Delta Kings" and "Delta Queens" are the mascots for Stagg High School in Stockton, California.
