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American Queen

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Coordinates: 30°01′26″N 94°00′04″W / 30.024°N 94.001°W / 30.024; -94.001
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30°01′26″N 94°00′04″W / 30.024°N 94.001°W / 30.024; -94.001

The American Queen
History
United States
NameAmerican Queen
OwnerAmerican Cruise Lines
Port of registryUnited States Memphis, United States
RouteMississippi River and tributaries
BuilderMcDermott Shipyard
CostUS$ 65 million
Laid down1994
Launched1995
Christened
Maiden voyageJune 9, 1995[1]
In service1995
Out of serviceOctober 2001
IdentificationIMO number: 9084542
StatusRefitting
NotesRe-sailed under American Queen Steamboat Company
RouteMississippi River and tributaries
Launched1995
Completed1995
In serviceJanuary 2003[2]
Out of serviceNovember 20, 2008
IdentificationIMO number: 9084542
OwnerHornblower Group
Port of registryViolet, Louisiana then Beaumont, Texas
Identification
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Class and typeSteamboat
Tonnage3707
Length418 ft (127 m)
Beam89 ft (27 m)
Height109.5 ft (33.4 m)
Draught8.5 ft (2.6 m)
Decks7 (6 passenger 1 crew)
Installed powerSteam engine and diesel-electric
PropulsionPaddlewheel and Z-drive
Capacity222 staterooms, 436 passengers
Crew160

American Queen is a Louisiana-built river steamship said to be the largest river steamboat ever built.[3] Although the American Queen's stern paddlewheel is indeed powered by a steam engine, her secondary propulsion, in case of an emergency and for maneuverability around tight areas where the paddle wheel can not navigate, comes from a set of diesel-electric propellers known as Z-drives on either side of the sternwheel.[2] She has 222 state rooms for a capacity of 436 guests and a crew of 160. She is 418 feet (127 m) long and 89 feet (27 m) wide.[4]

History with Delta Queen Steamboat Company (1994–2011)

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Construction of the ship began in 1994 by McDermott Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana and was completed in mid 1995. The vessel was created for Delta Queen Steamboat Company to be a six-deck recreation of a classic Mississippi riverboat. Upon the arrival of American Queen in New Orleans, Louisiana, the vessel was christened by radio producer Angel Harvey with a 4-foot tall bottle of Tabasco hot sauce rather than a bottle of champagne which is traditionally used in ship christenings.[5] The vessel's maiden voyage set sail from New Orleans on June 2, 1995, bound for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During that same inaugural cruise on June 20, American Queen got stuck in mud during a photoshoot 130 miles downriver from Louisville, Kentucky. Water and fuel were pumped off in order to lighten the vessel and free it from the mud.[6]

On June 4, 1997, while docked in Memphis Harbor, passengers aboard the American Queen spotted the body of a man floating near the southern tip of Mud Island and notified vessel crew. First mate Dave Williamson retrieved the body to bring to local police which was later identified to be the remains of singer Jeff Buckley.[7][8]

American Classic Voyages, the parent company of Delta Queen Steamboat Company, declared bankruptcy on October 19, 2001. ACV blamed its fate on the September 11 terrorist attacks and the spike in cancelled reservations, although many other factors attributed to the bankruptcy. Despite launching an ambitious expansion, American Classic Voyages faced operational challenges. According to sources close to ACV, the company's successful brands had strayed from what had made them attractive to their niche clientele, ACV's rollout of new cruises was mismanaged and the company had a costly dispute with its shipbuilder, Northrop Grumman Ingalls Shipbuilding.[9][10]

Resulting from the bankruptcy of American Classic Voyages, American Queen was taken out of service in October 2001. Delta Queen Steamboat Co. was subsequently purchased by Delaware North and American Queen was brought back into service in January 2003.[11]

Following reports that Delta Queen Steamboat Co. had suffered heavier losses than previously stated from the damages and travel disruption of Hurricane Katrina, Delaware North sold the company to Ambassadors International Inc. in April 2006 for $3 million.[12]

From 2006 to 2008, American Queen and its sister vessels sailed under Majestic America Line, a subsidiary of Ambassadors International. After multiple failed attempts throughout 2008 to sell Majestic America Line, it was decided to break up the fleet and sell the vessels individually.[13]

On November 20, 2008, the steamer American Queen was retired to the reserve fleet in Violet, Louisiana. Due to the failure of Majestic America Line, she was returned to the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) who held her $30 million mortgage.[2] The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration records the ship's movement to the Beaumont Reserve Fleet on January 22, 2009.[14]

In April 2011 American Queen was purchased for $15.5 million by HMS Global Maritime of New Albany, Indiana.[15]

History with American Queen Steamboat Company (2011–2024)

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In April 2012, HMS Global Maritime relaunched American Queen under a new cruise line, Great American Steamboat Company. The company held a new christening to celebrate the steamboat relocating its home port to Memphis. American Queen was the first passenger vessel to dock at the new Beale Street Landing, built long enough to accommodate the 418-foot long steamboat.[16] Priscilla Presley, named godmother of the American Queen, christened the vessel with a bottle of champagne[17][18] before it set sail on its inaugural cruise with its new company, this time without sister vessels Delta Queen which became a floating hotel affixed to shore in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Mississippi Queen which was scrapped in 2011. The new inaugural cruise departed from Memphis bound for Cincinnati, Ohio. Along the way, American Queen participated for the first time in the Great Steamboat Race.[19] She came in second place. Following a trademark dispute from American Cruise Lines, Great American Steamboat Company changed its name to American Queen Steamboat Company effective July 1, 2012.[20][21]

For a period around 2014, the American Queen Steamboat was a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.[22]

In October 2014, American Queen struck jagged rock on the Cumberland River on its way into Nashville, Tennessee. Passengers were able to embark on time while repairs were made, although the vessel had to wait for Coast Guard clearance before sailing which came a day later.[23] American Queen suffered another accident during high water conditions on the Mississippi River shortly before midnight on September 4, 2018, when she collided with the old Champ Clark Bridge in Louisiana, Missouri. The vessel sustained some damage to its port side.[24][25]

In the late 2010s, AQSC began rapidly expanding its fleet. The company purchased two abandoned casino boats in 2016 which would later be remodeled and reintroduced as American Duchess and American Countess. In January 2019, AQSC acquired Victory Cruise Lines which consisted of Great Lakes cruise ships, Victory I and Victory II. The two coastal cruisers were reintroduced under AQSC as Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator respectively.[26][27][28]

In response to the global outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, American Queen Steamboat Company suspended operations in March 2020. AQSC, along with numerous other cruise lines worldwide would struggle to return to normal operations for the next couple years.[29]

In October 2021, American Queen Steamboat Company changed its name to American Queen Voyages to reflect the addition of ocean-going itineraries. The company's headquarters were relocated from New Albany, Indiana to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[30][31]

In February 2024 American Queen Voyages announced they were ceasing operations and shutting down.[32] In March 2024, assets of American Queen Voyages were put up for auction. Competitor American Cruise Lines successfully bid for all four of AQV's river vessels. American Queen was purchased for a price of $2.15 million.[33] American Cruise Lines is currently evaluating options for the future of the American Queen other than adding the vessel to their operational fleet or as it was done with sister vessels American Duchess and American Countess, selling it as scrap. In May 2024, they were reported to be contacting cities and towns along the Mississippi River and its tributaries to offer up the 29 year-old vessel as a donation.[34]

Facilities

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The American Queen has health and wellness facilities that include a spa with masseuse located on main deck and a gym and pool located between the fifth and sixth decks. For dining, the vessel offers formal dining in the J.M. White Dining Room located on main deck and a casual, 24-hour dining option called the Front Porch Cafe located on Deck 3. There is also the River Grill & Bar which is an outdoor bar on Deck 5 that offers drinks and cookout-style food during good weather. There are also several entertainment venues including the Grand Saloon - a stage theater modeled after Ford's Theatre. Other entertainment options include a movie theater on Deck 3, musical performances in the Engine Room Bar on Deck 2 and numerous card games and reading materials in the Gentlemen's Card Room, Ladies' Parlor, Mark Twain Gallery and Chart Room.[35]

An aerial view of American Queen's upper decks 4, 5 and 6. The bridge deck and pilot house are located just aft of the smoke stacks.

Themed voyages

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American Queen passengers experience themed voyages with special appearances by various performers and lecturers, such as Lewis Hankins as Mark Twain. The Civil War themed voyage includes historians as guest speakers, and the Twain cruise features Cindy Lovell and other Twain scholars.[36][37]

Routes

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The American Queen has cruised the Mississippi River from its mouth to as far north as St. Paul, Minnesota. She has also traveled the entire length of the Ohio River, the Tennessee River as far up as Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Cumberland River as far up as Nashville, Tennessee and the Illinois River as far up as Ottawa, Illinois. In addition to these rivers, the American Queen enters the Yazoo Diversion Canal when visiting Vicksburg, Mississippi, Lake Ferguson when visiting Greenville, Mississippi and the Allegheny River when visiting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[38] The riverboat has also traversed the Gulf of Mexico in order to reach maintenance and repair facilities in Morgan City, Louisiana and Beaumont, Texas.[39]

Media appearances

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In 2007, American Queen was the subject of an episode of the Discovery Channel TV series Superships.[40]

In 2009, American Queen was featured in an episode of Little People, Big World in which the Roloff family took a cruise aboard the vessel.[41]

In 2018, American Queen was featured in an episode of Cruising with Jane McDonald. The show followed British singer Jane McDonald on a cruise aboard the American Queen from New Orleans to Memphis.[42]

See also

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References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to American Queen (ship, 1995).
  1. ^ Stanchak, John. "The American Queen: 'Is best of old and best of new.'". Archived from the original on 31 December 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-24.
  2. ^ a b c "American Queen". steamboats.org. Retrieved 2010-01-24.
  3. ^ "River Royalty: American Queen returns to area waters for first time since 2008". The Review; East Liverpool, Ohio. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  4. ^ "American Queen Steamboat Company Official page". Retrieved 2012-11-05.
  5. ^ "The American Queen". Cruising The Mighty Mississippi.
  6. ^ "Steamboat Is Mired In Ohio River Mud". The New York Times. 20 June 1995.
  7. ^ Bendersky, Ari (6 June 1997). "Jeff Buckley's Body Found In Memphis". Rolling Stone.
  8. ^ Conley, Chris (5 June 1997). "Missing singer's body found near Mud Island". The Commercial Appeal. p. 1.
  9. ^ Stewart Yerton; Rebecca Mowbray (October 28, 2001). "Running Aground". Times Picayune.
  10. ^ "Cruise line files bankruptcy". Tampa Bay Times.
  11. ^ "American Queen". Steamboats.org.
  12. ^ "Delta Queen Sold". Cruise Industry News.
  13. ^ "Breaking Up Majestic America Line". Cruise Industry News.
  14. ^ "National Defense Reserve Fleet Inventory" (PDF). U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration. January 31, 2009. p. 2. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  15. ^ Dale K. DuPont (2011-04-25). "Marad approves sale of American Queen". WorkBoat.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
  16. ^ Phillips, Bianca. "Beale Street Landing: A Timeline". Memphis Flyer.
  17. ^ "Priscilla Presley Named Godmother For Great American Steamboat Company's American Queen". PR Newswire (Press release).
  18. ^ Hall, Sabrina (27 April 2012). "One on One With Priscilla Presley As She Christens The American Queen". WREG Memphis.
  19. ^ "New Vessel to Participate in 2012 Great Steamboat Race". Kentucky Derby Festival. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  20. ^ "American Cruise Lines Inc. v. HMS American Queen Steamboat Company". Justia US Law.
  21. ^ Baran, Michelle. "U.S. river cruise company changes name". Travel Weekly.
  22. ^ "The American Queen Steamboat a Historic Hotels of America member". Historic Hotels of America. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  23. ^ Kalosh, Anne. "American Queen resumes sailing after repairs to rock damage". Seatrade Cruise News.
  24. ^ "Aboard the American Queen". Worldtrippers.
  25. ^ "American Queen river boat hitting a bridge pylon". YouTube.
  26. ^ "American Queen Completes Acquisition of Victory". Cruise Industry News.
  27. ^ "The Turbulent History of CV Cape May Light & Cape Cod Light". OPPO.
  28. ^ Zelinski, Andrea. "The Ocean Navigator coastal ship is back in service". Travel Weekly.
  29. ^ DuPont, Dale K. "American Queen and ACL suspend inland and coastal cruise operations". WorkBoat.
  30. ^ Rosenfeld, Kelly. "Why American Queen Steamboat Company Is Now American Queen Voyages". TravelAge West.
  31. ^ Kalosh, Anne. "John Waggoner: 'I never expected to go beyond one boat'". Seatrade Cruise News.
  32. ^ "American Queen Voyages". American Queen Voyages. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  33. ^ "American Queen Paddlewheelers Sold to American Cruise Lines". The Maritime Executive.
  34. ^ Kaczke, Lisa. "Mayor: American Queen offered to Red Wing". Republican Eagle.
  35. ^ "American Queen - Cruise with Living History". Official website.
  36. ^ River Cruise Blog (2019-04-04). "Special themed voyage – The Mighty Mississippi". American Queen Steamboat Co.
  37. ^ American Queen Steamboat Co. (2018-09-16). "Mark Twain Voyage" (PDF). AQSC.
  38. ^ "Voyages on this Vessel". Official website.
  39. ^ Weise, John. "American Queen Steamboat in Mothball Fleet". Steamboats.com.
  40. ^ "First Lady of the Mississippi: The American Queen (2001)". IMDb.
  41. ^ "Roloffs on the River (2009)". IMDb.
  42. ^ Kosciolek, Ashley. "Jane McDonald Cruises to America in Final Episode of "Cruising with Jane McDonald"". Cruise Critic.
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