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Z-drive replaced, American Queen is sailing—sans paddlewheel, for nowZ-drive replaced, American Queen is sailing—sans paddlewheel, for now

American Queen is underway after having one its Z-drives replaced in Maysville, Ky., and the paddlewheel removed and disassembled to repair the main shaft, which developed a stress fracture.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

July 1, 2014

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

The vessel is due to reach Pittsburgh Thursday on a revised itinerary that will not offer shore excursions, according to American Queen Steamboat Co. president and COO Ted Sykes.

After Pittsburgh, American Queen will resume its scheduled program under the power of Z-drives, and the paddlewheel will be reassembled once repairs have been made.

'All modifications on the American Queen have been approved by the Coast Guard for her to continue sailing,' Sykes said.

The paddlewheeler had been alongside in Maysville, a small town on the Ohio River southeast of Cincinnati, since Sunday afternoon. It sailed on Tuesday morning.

The 215 passengers remained on board during the layover.

They will receive the choice of a free cruise on the July 4 voyage from Pittsburgh, returning to Cincinnati July 9, or 25% off their current fare for a future sailing.

The 436-passenger American Queen is the largest paddlewheel steamboat ever built. Constructed in 1995, it was brought back into service by the start-up American Queen Steamboat Co. in 2012. The Memphis-based operator recently introduced its second vessel, American Empress, in the Pacific Northwest.

 

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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