American Queen

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
Owner
Port of registry Memphis, United States
RouteMississippi River and tributaries
BuilderMcDermott Shipyard
CostUS$ 65 million
Laid down1994
Launched1995
Christened
Maiden voyageJune 9, 1995
Out of serviceFebruary 20, 2024
IdentificationIMO number: 9084542
StatusBeing scrapped
General characteristics
Class & 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 was a Louisiana-built river steamship said to be the largest river steamboat ever built. American Queen's primary mode of propulsion is its stern paddlewheel powered by a steam engine extracted from the 1932 dredging vessel Kennedy. Her secondary propulsion, which provides additional maneuverability and speed, comes from a set of diesel-electric propellers known as Z-drives on either side of the sternwheel. There are also two bow thrusters that offer better maneuverability when docking or treading water. 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.