American Queen is a Louisiana-built river steamship said to be the largest river steamboat ever built. Although the American Queen's stern paddlewheel is indeed powered by a steam engine, her secondary propulsion, in case of an emergency and for maneuverability around tight areas where the paddle wheel can not navigate, comes from a set of diesel-electric propellers known as Z-drives on either side of the sternwheel. 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.
The American Queen
American Queen docked in St. Francisville, Louisiana in September 2017.
American Queen docked in Ottawa, Illinois facing the Ottawa Rail Bridge in September 2018. She cannot proceed up the Illinois River beyond this point.
American Queen docked in Dubuque, Iowa in August 2015.
A steamboat is a boat that is propelled primarily by steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels. Steamboats sometimes use the prefix designation SS, S.S. or S/S or PS ; however, these designations are most often used for steamships.
Lookout, transport steamer on the Tennessee River, c. 1860–1865
Dutch river steam-tugboat Mascotte II
Model of the steamship built in 1784 by Claude de Jouffroy.
Charlotte Dundas, built by William Symington.