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American Countess

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River cruise paddlewheel ship
American Countess
History
Name
  • Kanesville Queen (1995–2016)
  • American Countess (2020–present)
Owner
OperatorAmerican Cruise Lines
Port of registryLouisville, Kentucky, USA
Launched1995
Identification
General characteristics
Length318 ft (97 m)
Beam79 ft (24 m)
Decks4
PropulsionPaddlewheel and Z-drive (diesel electric)
Capacity245 passengers

American Countess is a river cruise paddlewheeler owned by American Cruise Lines.

Kanesville Queen (1995-2016)

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. In 2007, Iowa law was changed to allow casinos to operate fully onshore. 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. In 2013, Kanesville Queen was sold as scrap to Newt Marine of Dubuque, Iowa.

Kanesville Queen (left) abandoned in Dubuque, IA along with Catfish Bend Riverboat Casino II (right) in 2016

Introduction as American Countess

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.

A view of the stern of American Countess docked in Louisville

After many delays, the American Countess was finally launched on March 21, 2021, in New Orleans. 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.

In February 2024, American Queen Voyages ceased operations. American Countess was purchased by American Cruise Lines for $1.6 million. It is to be scrapped without further use.

See also

References

  1. "American Countess completes successful sea trial". Work Boat.
  2. "American Queen Voyages American Countess Information". Travel Weekly.
  3. "Kanesville Queen Leaves Harrah's After 17 Years on the River". Daily Nonpareil.
  4. "Iowa reviews water-based casino rule". Quad-City Times.
  5. Miller, Kermit. "Odds are against casino boat's survival". KRCG.
  6. "Former riverboat casino in Jefferson City to be scrapped (VIDEO)". News Tribune.
  7. "New riverboat passes sea trials, set for April cruise". KMTV Omaha.
  8. "American Countess launched in New Orleans". Travel Weekly.
  9. Sloan, Gene. "New Mississippi riverboat American Duchess christened in New Orleans". USA Today.
  10. "American Cruise Lines finalizes purchase of American Queen boats". Vicksburg Post.
  11. American Cruise Ships Monthly July 2024 page 12
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