Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2012 by Peter Knego
AMERICAN QUEEN at Beale Street Landing on her maiden return to Memphis. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2012.
The Memphis, Tennessee waterfront is abuzz with spectators today as Great American Steamboat Company’s AMERICAN QUEEN made her debut in what is officially her new homeport. Despite construction work at Beale Street Landing still underway to accommodate the largest and most lavish steamboat ever built, locals enthusiastically welcomed the 436 passenger vessel following her multi-million dollar restoration after the collapse of former owners, Majestic America Line in 1998.
“Today is a dream come true as we revive the fabled steamboat experience, introducing river communities to thousands of travelers, especially our hometown of Memphis,” shared Great American Steamboat Company President Jeff Krida. “The smiling faces greeting us here in the ‘Capital of Southern hospitality’ is humbling and it is no surprise most of our crew calls Memphis home.”
As the AMERICAN QUEEN approached downtown Memphis, she was met by the city’s residents and family members of the crew. The recently formed Great American Steamboat Company has hired 300+ employees from the area, including the steamboat crew, and an economic impact of $89 million is anticipated for the region.
On Friday, April 27, Priscilla Presley will serve as godmother of the AMERICAN QUEEN in an afternoon christening ceremony at Beale Street Landing, then the vessel will depart on her inaugural voyage up the Mississippi River to the Ohio River with stops in Henderson, Ky., Louisville, Ky., and Madison, Ind., before arriving in Cincinnati, Ohio. On May 2 in Louisville, she will take part in the wonderful tradition of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Great Steamboat Race with the Belle of Louisville and Belle of Cincinnati.
MaritimeMatters will be well represented on the inaugural cruise with Peter Knego and Shawn Dake. Stay tuned for their upcoming reports.
Keith Krueger
April 27, 2012 at 10:09 am
I hope you are able to enjoy some of the Mempgis hospitality while here in Memphis.
Mage Bailey
April 27, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Just wonderful stuff.
MarkD
April 28, 2012 at 3:18 pm
That is just simply wonderful. I sincerely hope they are fully successful in the resurection of this great steamboat so it can run the river for many years to come.
Mark D.
Peter Kohler
April 30, 2012 at 8:58 am
All very cheering and wonderful indeed. Although you have to laugh at the conditions of the Beale Street “landing”… someone obviously didn’t get the e-mail in Memphis that all this was really happening afterall. I’ve more elaborate riverside “facilities” on the Nile!
Clark
April 30, 2012 at 10:10 am
Former crew member here, Great News and Happy Steaming!
Peter Jones
May 10, 2012 at 3:39 am
I am arriving in the US on 14 June and staying in Arkansas until 25 July.Will the American Queen be in Memphis during those dates as I would love to go and see her.I would appreciate any information.
Shawn Dake
May 10, 2012 at 9:33 am
Hello Peter Jones. According to the schedule, it looks like the AMERICAN QUEEN will be in Memphis on 27 June prior to sailing on a 10-day cruise to St. Louis including 4th of July festivities. If time and funds permit it would be great if you could take the cruise.
http://www.greatamericansteamboatcompany.com/dates/2012/6/
The boat will be at the Beale Street Landing which actually will be a wonderful and innovative terminal when it is completed. The photograph does not show the actual terminal which besides a brand new embarkation building has a spiral boarding ramp that can accommodate up to a 57 foot fluctuation in the height of the river and connects to a floating landing stage.
Christopher Kyte
May 10, 2012 at 4:32 pm
For Peter Jones, she will be in Memphis on June 28 (only).