The beautiful American Queen, she sails a selection of voyages on the upper and lower Mississippi and is one of the finest steamboats in the world. She oozes charm and that old world feel, but what does her history hold? We decided to find out!
History of the American Queen
The American Queen was built in 1995 and she is the largest steamboat to ever have been constructed. Although American Queen is powered by her stern paddlewheel, she does have secondary propulsion in case of an emergency and for maneuverability in tight ares of the Mississippi where a paddle wheel can simply not navigate. This additional propulsion comes via a set of diesel-electric propellers known as Z-drives.
The Str. American Queen was retired to the reserve fleet in Violet, Louisiana, on 20 November 2008. Due to the failure of Majestic America Line (her owner at that time) she was returned to the United States Maritime Administration who held her $30 million mortgage. The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration then records the ship’s movement to the Beaumont Reserve Fleet on January 22, 2009. As of April 2011 American Queen is under contract for $15.5 million to HMS Global Maritime, based in New Albany, Indiana. Based on the August, 2011 U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration inventory, the ship was sold on August 2, 2009 and departed the Beaumont Reserve Fleet for Memphis, Tennessee. The new operator, The American Queen Steamboat Company announced plans to return her to Mississippi River service from a port in Memphis, Tennessee. She rejoined her fellow sternwheeler steamboats
Natchez, Chautauqua Belle, Minne-Ha-Ha, and the Belle of Louisville. She is currently in service.
In 2012 the American Queen participated for the first time in the Great Steamboat Race. It came in second place.
The American Queen Steamboat is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
In 2013 American Queen was fully refurbished and expansions were made to her dining areas and public venues.
Book Your American Queen Cruise with The Cruise Line
The Cruise Line is one of the UK’s original luxury cruise specialists and we believe that you are unlikely to experience the service we offer with any other agent. Call us today on 0800 008 6677 to find out more about the American Queen Steamboat Company or to hear about our latest North American river cruise packages.
