American Countess
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner |
|
| Operator | American Cruise Lines |
| Port of registry | Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
| Launched | 1995 |
| Identification |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 318 ft (97 m) |
| Beam | 79 ft (24 m) |
| Decks | 4 |
| Propulsion | Paddlewheel and Z-drive (diesel electric)[1] |
| Capacity | 245 passengers[2] |
American Countess is a river cruise paddlewheeler owned by American Cruise Lines.
Kanesville Queen (1995-2016)
[edit]The casino boat Kanesville Queen was originally constructed for Harrah's Entertainment in Council Bluffs, Iowa and opened to the public on New Year's Day of 1996.[3] In 2007, Iowa law was changed to allow casinos to operate fully onshore.[4] After the revision of the law, Harrah's officials stated that the river vessel was no longer needed at their Council Bluffs casino and estimated it would save the company $2 million annually to retire the boat.[5] In 2013, Kanesville Queen was sold as scrap to Newt Marine of Dubuque, Iowa.[6]
Introduction as American Countess
[edit]Purchased by American Queen Steamboat Company in 2016, the dormant vessel was eventually brought to Gulf Island Shipyard in Houma, Louisiana to be cut in half and extended with a new 60-foot midsection in order to increase passenger capacity.[7]
After many delays, the American Countess was finally launched on March 21, 2021, in New Orleans.[8] The launch followed almost four years after the launch of American Duchess, another former Iowa casino boat that had been converted into an overnight cruise vessel by the same company.[9]
In February 2024, American Queen Voyages ceased operations. American Countess was purchased by American Cruise Lines for $1.6 million.[10] It is to be scrapped without further use.[11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "American Countess completes successful sea trial". Work Boat.
- ^ "American Queen Voyages American Countess Information". Travel Weekly.
- ^ "Kanesville Queen Leaves Harrah's After 17 Years on the River". Daily Nonpareil.
- ^ "Iowa reviews water-based casino rule". Quad-City Times.
- ^ Miller, Kermit. "Odds are against casino boat's survival". KRCG.
- ^ "Former riverboat casino in Jefferson City to be scrapped (VIDEO)". News Tribune.
- ^ "New riverboat passes sea trials, set for April cruise". KMTV Omaha.
- ^ "American Countess launched in New Orleans". Travel Weekly.
- ^ Sloan, Gene. "New Mississippi riverboat American Duchess christened in New Orleans". USA Today.
- ^ "American Cruise Lines finalizes purchase of American Queen boats". Vicksburg Post.
- ^ American Cruise Ships Monthly July 2024 page 12