Mississippi River
The American Queen is the third “Queen” from the former Delta Queen Steamboat Company and is probably the largest steamboat ever built. She was built in 1994 by McDermott Shipyard and launched in 1995 at an approximate cost of $60 million. Her steam engine are from the U.S. dredge Kennedy. As the paddle wheels are too small to move the large boat in every situation, there are two additional propellers which can be used if necessary.
Modern technique and historic charm makes a cruise on the American Queen an unforgettable experience.
The American Queen is 418 feet long and 89 feet 4” high. Equipped with 222 staterooms the “Queen” gives room for up to 436 passengers. The American Queen has a calliope with 37 gold-plated brass pipes, specially built for the American Queen.
Due to the bankruptcy of the parental company of the Delta Queen Steamboat Co., the American Classical Voyages, the American Queen went out of service in October 2001. Fortunately, the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. finally was bought by Delaware North Companies, Inc. and went back in service in January 2003.
End of the 2008 season Majestic America Line decided to discontinue its cruise business. The American Queen had been returned to the MARAD and was on idle on a lake near Beaumont, TX, until August 2011 when she has been acquired by Hornblower and moved to a shipyard in Louisiana for a refit. The new Great American Steamboat Company, later renamed in American Queen Steamboat Company, with their headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, will operate the American Queen again as a river cruise ship, beginning in April 2012.
Pictures
American Queen – ladies’s parlor American Queen – ladies’s parlor American Queen – Mark Twain lounge American Queen – Mark Twain lounge American Queen – Mark Twain lounge American Queen – Mark Twain lounge American Queen – guest services American Queen – guest services American Queen – guest services American Queen – guest services American Queen – Mark Twain lounge American Queen – J. M. White dining room American Queen – guest services American Queen – J. M. White dining room American Queen – J. M. White dining room American Queen – J. M. White dining room 
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American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen – front porch of America American Queen – front porch of America American Queen – front porch of America American Queen – chart room American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen 
American Queen in Natchez-under-the-Hill American Queen in Natchez-under-the-Hill American Queen und Mississippi Queen in Natchez-under-the-Hill American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen – engine room American Queen – engine room American Queen – engine room American Queen – engine room 
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American Queen – J. M White dining room American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen – pilot house American Queen – pilot house American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen – engine room American Queen – engine room American Queen – engine room American Queen – engine room American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen American Queen – gent’s parlor American Queen – gent’s parlor American Queen – gent’s parlor
Whistle of the American Queen
The sound of the original whistle of the American Queen (taken from the HERBERT E. JONES) was very weak, not that the whistle itself was inappropriate but the steam supply line’s diameter was too small so the whistle didn’t get enough steam needed to unfold her full power. Today the whistle (a Kahlenberg whistle) now obviously is operated with a mixture of steam and pressurized air and gives her a full, though not completely “steamy” sound. That’s the sound you her in the recording here. In addition, the American Queen has an air horn and unfortunately most pilots prefer the air horn now over the whistle so on some cruises you’ll only rarely hear the whistle blow.
Calliope of the American Queen
Videos
American Queen, 2003, St. Louis
