Captain Mary B. Greene and her husband Captain Gordon Greene
Some say that Captain Mary Becker Greene is still watching out for the riverboat Delta Queen. Captain “Ma” Greene served for almost sixty years as master and pilot of some of the finest steamboats on the inland rivers. She died in her cabin aboard the Delta Queen in 1949. Some say that she never left. Employees and guests have reported sounds and activities aboard, particularly around her cabin.
Mary Becker married Captain Gordon C. Greene in 1890 and set up housekeeping on his Cincinnati packet boat, the H. K. Bedford. In 1896, she earned her pilot’s license and took command of the riverboat Argand. She and her husband built the Greene Line, which at its peak operated twelve riverboats carrying freight and passengers on the Ohio and its tributaries. When Gordon Greene died in 1927, two her sons, Tom, who has been born on riverboat, and Chris, helped their mother run the company.
During World War II, the freight business stayed strong, but after the war, the passenger ‘cruise’ business picked up. Tom Greene bought the Delta Queen and brought it from California through the Panama Canal to the Mississippi and then the Ohio River. Mary Becker Greene assumed command in 1948. She died a year later on the boat.
Those who have reported seeing or hearing the spirit of Mary Becker Greene on the Delta Queen suggest that her presence is benevolent and watchful. In December 1984, Captain Mike Williams was aboard the Delta Queen as a caretaker. No one else was on the boat. He was asleep, when he said someone whispered “Psst” in his ear. He says he felt the person’s breath. He didn’t get up at first, and then it happened twice more. He got up, but saw no one. He decided to check the cabins, and found all locked but one — Room 109, the room where Capt. Mary Becker Greene had died. He continued checking the boat and found a leak in the engine room, which could have sunk the Delta Queen if he had not caught it in time. He believes that Mary Becker Greene warned him of the flooding.
The girl who lived behind growing up was named Mary Beth Ecker, she ended up marring Dusty Becker. I wonder if he is a related to the woman above? They are both from Northern Ohio, so its a slim possibility.
I think the ghost of Mary Becker Greene is still on the Delta Queen Riverboat an always will be. Especially her former room 109.Update as of 4-2-2-15 She is currently on her way to Houma La for a year long refurbishment costing several million dollars with the hopes of passenger cruising in 2016.The Senate in Washington has to okay her exemption which runs for 15 years an this is done by a vote, She is probably the finest riverboat ever made although there are newer an larger ones.She has a special place in the hearts and minds of Americans with her rich and varied history.She was built in 1926 in California and was used along with twin ship Delta King as a ferry,She served troops in World War 2 an was a passenger ship from about 1947 to 2008 when she was stopped by Congress an the SOLAS ACT of 1966 an was brought in to Chatanooga Tenn to be used as a boutique hotel.She was sold in Feb 2015 to a group of investors headed by Cornell Martin an the new Delta Queen Steamboat Co.an now she is on her way to a bright an busy future, Thanks for reading.She should be back cruising again with passengers in 2016.See you on the Delta Queen
I was delighted to read today that “Delta Queen” may return to service and what a great tale about Capt. Mary Becker Greene. I hope she may continue to care for the ship.