Queen of the Mississippi (2015 ship)

Queen of the Mississippi at the Port of Dubuque

History
United States
Name|

* Queen of the Mississippi (2016-2021)
* American Heritage (2022-present)

Owner| American Cruise Lines
Builder|

* Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland
* Hull No. 104[1]

In service| April 2015
Homeport| New Orleans, Louisiana
Identification|

* Call sign: WDH7491
* MMSI Doc. No.: 367648680[2]

Status| In service
General characteristics
Type| Overnight riverboat
Tonnage| 2,700 GT
Length| 90 m (300 ft)[2]
Beam| 16 m (52 ft)[2]
Draft| 2.3 m (7.5 ft)[2]
Propulsion|

* 2 × Caterpillar
* ACERT Diesel[2]
* 3 × Caterpillar
* C-18 Diesel (Aux)

Speed| 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)[2]
Capacity| 150 passengers[2]

Queen of the Mississippi, now named American Heritage, is an overnight riverboat owned and operated by American Cruise Lines, currently operating on the Mississippi River. She entered service in spring 2015[3] and was built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland for overnight river cruising within the continental United States. The vessel accommodates 150 passengers in her 84 staterooms.[2] The vessel is a sister ship to American Pride, which originally carried the Queen of the Mississippi name from 2012 to 2015 (before it was repositioned to the Columbia & Snake Rivers). There are some differences between the riverboats, like internal arrangement and cabins on the 5th deck. However, both riverboats feature all outward-facing accommodations with private baths, and many cabins also have private furnished balconies. Both Paddlewheels (Queen of the Mississippi now American Heritage, and American Pride) were completely revovated in 2022.

The ship deck plans:

* 1st Deck - double- and single-occupancy staterooms; dining room
* 2nd Deck - double- and single-occupancy staterooms, all with private balconies; three lounges
* 3rd Deck - owners suites, double- and single-occupancy staterooms, all with sliding doors to private balconies; library
* 4th Deck - owners suites, double- and single-occupancy staterooms, all with sliding doors to private balconies; two lounges
* 5th Deck - Pilot house, double- and single-occupancy staterooms, promenade, shaded public area, sundeck, putting green

Her stern-mounted paddlewheel is driven by a hydraulic motor, powered by diesel engines. This is augmented by two Z-drive units to provide a higher cruising speed and better maneuverability.[2]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Colton, Tim. "Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury MD". Small Ship Builders and Boatbuilders. www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "American Eagle Position". Cruise Position. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
3. ^ "American Eagle Riverboat Christened". TravelPulse. Retrieved 2015-07-30.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website