old riverboats

Main Navigation

A History of Riverboats in Mississippi

The mighty Mississippi river stretches from Northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The second-longest river in the United States, the Mississippi is integral to the history of America — particularly in the state of Mississippi. Riverboats facilitated travel, commerce, and cultural exchange within Mississippi and beyond. Learn more about the impact of Mississippi riverboats in this post from Visit Mississippi .

Riverboats: The Early Days

While people have navigated the waters of the Mississippi River for centuries, steamboat technology was not viable until the early 1800s. The first steamboat to travel the Mississippi was the New Orleans, whose October 1811 maiden voyage began in Pittsburgh, PA, and ended in New Orleans after traveling along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

The New Orleans stopped in Natchez in December 1811 before continuing to its final port in New Orleans. First established by French colonists and later ruled by the Spanish, Natchez was an important center of trade and cultural exchange.

The Golden Age of the Steamboat

By the 1830s, steamboats existed all along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries. The growth of Mississippi’s riverfront communities, such as Bolivar, Commerce, and Greenville, can largely be attributed to the riverboat trade. Riverboats also brought new settlers to the state, helping to speed up agricultural development in the fertile Mississippi Delta.

Propelled by steam-driven paddle wheels, steamboats could navigate the river more quickly and effectively than barges or flatboats. They carried goods such as cotton, timber, and livestock up and down the river, expanding trade throughout the growing U.S. However, steamboats could be dangerous — the boilers used to create steam could build up too much pressure and explode. Steamboats were also susceptible to hitting obstacles such as rocks or logs, which could cause them to sink. This created a growing industry for a smaller type of riverboat called a “snagboat.” Snagboats patrolled the Mississippi River looking for tree stumps, debris, or other hazards and removing them before they damaged larger steamboats.

Wealthy Mississippians could enjoy leisure travel on a showboat — a riverboat used for theater and musical performances. Showboats were ornately decorated and would announce their arrival at a port by playing music that could be heard for miles.

Riverboats During the Civil War

During the years after Mississippi’s secession from the Union, many steamboats were used to support the Confederate Army. Riverboats carried troops, provisions, and supplies along the Mississippi during the Civil War. Demand for ships was so high that both the Union and Confederate governments chartered steamboats. Riverboats also played a role in the defense of Vicksburg, an important Confederate stronghold that connected the South to the Western states.

Gaming on the River

Riverboat gambling became popular in the early 1900s due to legislation surrounding gaming. By keeping poker, roulette, and other games of chance restricted to a riverboat, business owners could evade the anti-gambling laws that were in effect on land in states along the Mississippi River. Riverboat gaming in Mississippi was legalized in 1993, but unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina destroyed many riverboat casinos. In response, Mississippi lawmakers allowed casinos to move 800 feet inland.

However, you can still find a few riverboat casinos throughout the U.S. In Mississippi, visitors can try their luck at the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Vicksburg , a riverboat-style casino and hotel located right on the water.

Mississippi Riverboats in the Present Day

According to National Geographic, by 1900, the growth of railroads across the U.S. significantly reduced the demand for transporting goods and people via steamboat. Many riverboats were retired, but a few showboats remained as a testament to this period in history.

The popularity of riverboats continues to thrive in the Magnolia State. Today, tourists can enjoy the relaxing and immersive experience of river cruising. These luxury expeditions offer a unique way to travel the Mississippi, where guests can admire the breathtaking scenery along the waterway. First-class accommodations, fine dining, and a variety of things to do can be expected on a luxury tour on the Mississippi. Companies such as American Cruise Line and Viking River Cruises offer a variety of cruises that vary in duration and cities visited, like Vicksburg and Natchez.

Plan Your Trip With Help From Visit Mississippi

If you’re planning a trip to one of our historic riverfront cities like Natchez, Vicksburg, or Greenville — or anywhere else in the Hospitality State — Visit Mississippi is here for assistance.

Plan your next trip to Mississippi using our complimentary trip planner tool that helps you map out all your must-see attractions, restaurants, and lodging options. Whether you’re here for a week or just passing through, you’ll find a wealth of information about Mississippi history and culture on the Visit Mississippi website. For more information, contact us today.

Email Updates

Discover new ways to wander.

Get your free Mississippi official Tour Guide.

• Things to Do
• Places to Stay
• Experiences
• Accessible Travel
• Meetings and Conventions
• Group Travel
• International Travel
• Welcome Home Mississippi
• Mississippi Tourism Partners

Copyright ©2024 Mississippi Development Authority All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

Privacy Overview

Search by keyword or phrase.

Steamboat-Style Riverboats

This riverboat galleries are dedicated to the many riverboats in a paddle-wheel steamboat style all along the US inland rivers that remind us of the original, historic steamboats plying these waters just a few decades ago.

In this list you’ll find information about each of the boats, picture galleries, calliope music, whistle recordings and some videos.

American Empress (ex Empress of the North)

Columbia, Snake Rivers Beginning in April 2014, the AMERICA EMPRESS, ex EMPRESS OF THE NORTH, will run again on the Columbia and Snake Rivers for the American Queen Steamboat Company after about six years of lay-up. The American Empress is…

Louisiane (formerly Columbia Queen)

Mississippi River The LOUISIANE was originally built as COLUMBIA QUEEN in 2000 for the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. at Leevac Shipyards, Inc. of Jennings, LA, and was completed at Cascade General, Inc., in Portland, OR. She was built in the…

Queen of the West

Columbia, Willamette, Snake Rivers In 1995, the year of her launch, the QUEEN OF THE WEST reintroducing the tradition of sternwheelers to the Columbia, Willamette and Snake Rivers. At the time, the Queen of the West was the first paddle…

Memphis Queen III

Memphis, Tennessee The Memphis Queen III is a beautiful paddlewheeler on the Mississippi at Memphis. Capt. Tom Meanley designed and built this boat in the backyard of his little farm in southwest Shelby County, the Memphis Queen Shipyard, in 1976…

Columbia Gorge

Columbia River The sternwheeler COLUMBIA GORGE is located at the Cascade Locks Marine Park in the Columbia River. The boat is owned by the Port of Cascade Locks and operated by the Portland Spirit. Built by Nichols Boat Worksin Hood…

Grand Victoria II

Rising Sun, IN The Grand Victoria II, since 1996 is the center part of the Grand Victoria Casino & Resort in Rising Sun, Indiana. While the boat is “the finest diesel-electric sternwheeler ever built” (Capt. Don Sanders), she is permanently…

LeClaire, Iowa The Twilight was designed by Capt. Dennis Trone (see also Julia Belle Swain) in the style of the great old passenger boats. The boat was built by Levac Shipyard in Jennings, LA, and finished by Dennis Trone in…

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Majestic is a sidewheeler style riverboat at Pittsburgh and part of the 7-boats Gateway Clipper Fleet. A maximum of 1,000 passengers may cruise with her on the Ohio River, the Monongahela River and the Allengheny River. The…

General Jackson

Nashville, Tennessee The General Jackson is called “the largest show boat in the world”. The four-story, 300-feet long boat is one of the main attractions of the Opryland at Nashville, Tennessee. The General Jackson was built in winter 1983 until…

Spirit of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa The Spirit of Dubuque is an authentic dual paddlewheeler designed by Robert Kehl and built in 1976-1977 by Scully Brothers Company of Morgan City, LA. The construction began on July 1, 1976. The boat was christened on May…

Capitol (ex Spirit of Peoria)

homeport: unknown The Spirit of Peoria, now renamed Capitol and no longer located at Peoria, is a nice, detailed stern wheel riverboat built in 1988 by Walker Boat Yard, Paducah, KY. She has three decks and is 100 feet long…

Hannibal, Missouri The Mark Twain is a sternwheel riverboat built in 1964 by Dubuque Boiler & Boat Works, Dubuque, IA. She is 120 feet long and 33 feet wide. She has a capacity for 400 passengers. The Mark Twain has…

La Crosse Queen

La Crosse, Wisconsin The La Crosse Queen is a little sternwheel riverboat with a split wheel. The wheels are run by a twin diesel engine that powers hydraulic motors which turn the paddles. She has a capacity for 150 passengers.…

Celebration Belle

Moline, Illinois The Celebration Belle is the largest paddelwheel boat on the Upper Mississippi River. She has a capacity of 800 passengers. She is running since 1998 from Moline, IL. She is offering dinner, brunch, theme, sightseeing and charter cruises.…

Kings Ransom

Lake Conroe, Texas The Kings Ransom is 96 ft. long, 20 ft. wide, 3 decks, 2 inclosed decks, over 1200 ft. enclosed area and split paddlewheels. The engine is a 471 Detroit single main turning. 3 hydraulic pumps: 1 per…

Lt. Robert E. Lee

The Lt. Robert E. Lee was built in the late 1960s by the James B. Eads Corp. using an old U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat. She burnt on March 21, 2010, at St. Louis, ending her 40-year life abruptly.…

Catfish Bend Riverboat Casino

Fort Madison, Iowa The Catfish Bend Riverboat Casino at Ft. Madison, IA, is a nice Mississippi River style riverboat, but temporarily closed at this time.

City of New Orleans

(New Orleans, LA) For a long time this boat was called “Jumer’s Casino” and was serving, well, as a floating casino at Rock Island, IL. The boat is decorated in the old steamboat style and has a very nice interior.…

Lady Luck under-the-Hill

Natchez, Mississippi The Lady Luck Natchez under-the-Hill is the only full scale, authentic recreation of a great 1860s sidewheeler of the Mississippi ever built. The replica seems to be built very authentic. She is now owned by the Isle of…

Belle of Cincinnati

Covington, KY The BELLE OF CINCINNATI is the biggest riverboat in Captain Alan Bernstein’s BB Riverboats fleet, located in Covington, KY, on the Ohio River right opposite of Cincinnati OH. The BELLE OF CINCINNATI is taking part in the Kentucky…

Magnolia Belle

The Magnolia Belle is a real paddlewheeler, built in Dubuque, Iowa in 1969 by the renowned Dubuque Boat & Boiler Co.  She is an authentic calliope, and is has a passenger capacity of about 150 guest for excursion day cruises.…

Privacy Overview

Home » American History » How Riverboats and Steamers Shaped American History

How Riverboats and Steamers Shaped American History

Before trains and automobiles, it was riverboats that connected America. You can learn more about the rich American tradition of steamships here.

Throughout American history, there have been many modes of transport that forever changed the face of this country. Everything from the development of automobiles to the railroad, canal boats, and even the covered wagon—they’ve all played a big role in bringing us to where we are today.

The steamboat is part of this rich history. While there are lots of different types of steamboats, some of which are ocean going, we’ll focus on the riverboat variety here. Prior to automobiles and railways, it was rivers that connected one part of the U.S. to another. Steamboats were responsible for ferrying people and goods all over the country and to the coasts where shipments could then be transported overseas. Let’s jump in and start with the earliest known steamboat history.

Steamboats Invented in Europe

Though these boats were responsible for reshaping America, they were originally developed in Europe. You see, it was in the late 1600s when early experiments on the steam engine began. These were led by the French inventor Denis Papin, and Thomas Newcomen of England. It started with a device known as the steam digester, which was an early kind of pressure cooker. From there, these two men experimented with pistons, and Papin eventually suggested that this technology could be used to operate a paddlewheel boat.

Both men made designs attempting to power a boat, though neither of their designs worked that well. Still, innovation is part of the human spirit, so soon, other inventors followed suit. English scientist John Allen patented the first steamboat in 1729. Over the next thirty-some years, other inventors attempted to improve on steam engines and steamboats, one of whom was William Henry from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He produced his own steam engine in 1763, which he put on a boat. The boat sank—but it’s thought perhaps Henry’s work inspired others to keep innovating.

The Rise of Steamboats in America

From there, it was a race to develop working steam engines—and working steamboats. Several people made working steamboats in the 1780s. In the United States, John Fitch of Philadelphia launched a steamboat in 1787, and it proved such a success that by 1788, he was operating a commercial steamboat service that followed the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Burlington, New Jersey . This was a passenger boat that could carry up to 30 people, traveling between seven and eight miles per hour.

Unfortunately for Fitch, while his boat was a success, his business was not. The route on which his boat traveled was one already well covered by roads and wagons, so there wasn’t much need for a passenger boat.

But later, Robert Fulton, an American inventor who found himself intrigued by the possibilities of steamboats, ended up creating his own vessel in 1807. This was the North River Steamboat , which later became known as the Clermont —and it could be considered the boat that started the steamship revolution in the U.S.

The Clermont was pretty incredible for the time. It traveled the Hudson River between New York City and Albany, making the 150-mile trip in as little as 32 hours. Because of its capabilities, it became the first commercially successful steamboat in the U.S.

In the wake of the Clermont’s success, steamboats began to proliferate around the United States—especially along the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, where they were instrumental in not only ferrying passengers up and down long stretches but also hauling grain, lumber, supplies or anything else that needed to be moved long distances. These riverboats also grew in prominence in the western United States during the California Gold Rush, usually pressed into service to carry miners and mining supplies closer to the gold fields.

Riverboats During the Civil War

When you hear about Civil War boats, the two that most people are familiar with are the Monitor and the Merrimack , which were ocean-faring steamships called “ironclads.” They receive most of the historical attention because truly, these two ships were a revolution of their times. But there’s a whole other side to Civil War naval history that you don’t often hear about—and that was the battles waged by Union and Confederate riverboats.

Away from the East Coast, the naval war was fought for control of the major rivers, most especially the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers—and this involved paddlewheel boats that had been converted into warships. These river battles were waged by monitors, which were heavily armed but lightly armored smaller rivercraft, and ironclads, which were boats that had been heavily armored with iron plates. Some of the war’s most famous battles, like the Battle of Vicksburg, involved the use of riverboats. Between the Vicksburg battle and the seizure of New Orleans, this secured the Mississippi River for the Union Army, enabling them to transport men and supplies up and down the river.

The Heyday of America’s Greatest Riverboats

To this day, the Mississippi River is still a major shipping lane within the United States, though nowadays, you’ll find a variety of craft going up and down its waters. Through the 19 th century to the early parts of the 20 th century, however, it was the paddlewheel steamer that dominated the Mississippi—and other major rivers, too. Some of these boats were so famous that they became state symbols, like the Iowa , which was an 1838 steamer that is part of Iowa’s state seal. The Anson Northup is another famous steamer that in 1859, became the first to cross over from the U.S. to Canada on the Red River.

During this time, steamers were a major part of what drove American expansion. Their speed and power meant that people could transport more goods and passengers than ever before, which is a big part of the reason why port towns flourished so well—because steamers were bringing in the goods from the heartlands that would be transported for trade overseas. These rivercraft became iconic, something that people all over the United States took great pride in as symbols of progress and prosperity.

Eventually, though, riverboats began to wane in popularity. There were a couple of reasons behind this. For one thing, the big steamers were incredibly dangerous. Ultimately, most of these boats would either burn down or they’d be destroyed when the powerful boilers that powered them exploded. They were wooden ships, after all, powered largely by wood fires since wood was so easy to procure along the rivers on which they ran. Accidents were quite frequent, and many who traveled on them took their lives into their own hands. In places like Alton, Illinois, homes along the river even featured platforms called “widow’s walks,” which were rooftop platforms where women would watch for their husbands to come home on the riverboats they crewed. To put into perspective how dangerous these crafts were, the Scientific American reported in December 1860 that 487 people had died that year in steamboat accidents.

Even though steamers were dangerous, the danger wasn’t the primary factor behind their decline. Actually, it was the development of the railroad. As more and more rail lines began to spread across the United States, riverboat popularity waned. Railroads had too many advantages—they were faster, capable of hauling more, they were safer, and they could reach landlocked places that didn’t have river access.

Even so, riverboats never did go out of service entirely. Today, you’ll still find them all over America’s largest rivers. Some of those old paddle steamers that were once so iconic are still around, though these days, most are replica pleasure craft designed with modern engines that are infinitely safer than the old wood-fired boilers that used to run them.

Riverboats are still a rich American tradition, and they truly were a formative part of American history. If you ever have the opportunity, schedule a cruise or even an afternoon tour on one of America’s replica paddleboats. It’s an experience that will take you back in time.

You may also like

Echoes of Time: The Living Legacy of Old Fort Niagara

Bob Waldmire: The Free Spirit of Route 66

The Birth of Prosthetics

Cleveland’s Man of Steel

A Beacon of History on Lake Ontario

How Martin Luther King Jr. Day Became a Federal Holiday

Will founded Ancestral Findings in 1995 and has been assisting researchers for over 25 years to reunite them with their ancestors.

• AI Generator

Premium Access

Custom content, media manager.

Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internet’s creators.

mississippi riverboat

6,643 vintage riverboat stock photos & high-res pictures, browse 6,643 vintage riverboat photos and images available, or search for mississippi riverboat to find more great photos and pictures..

• New Releases
• Author News
• Our Bloggers

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Riverboat travel in the old wild west.

About Janalyn Voigt

Cheyenne Sunrise (Montana Gold, book 2)

9 comments:.

I hadn't actually thought about this before! Thanks for the post.

Hi, Connie. Me either until I had to research riverboats.

Thanks for sharing this interesting post about riverboat travel.

You're welcome, Marilyn. Thanks for commenting.

I've often thought that I probably wouldn't have survived, much less thrived, in the Old West. But then I think, I also wouldn't be the creature of comfort that I am, so... maybe I would! It's always a treat reading your posts, Janalyn; thanks for making it calorie-free food for thought. :)

I've wondered that too, Beverly, and come to the same conclusion. A person's character pulls them through, along with a heapin' helping of God's grace.

I've often thought I wouldn't have survived, much less thrived, in the Old West. Then again, I probably wouldn't be the creature of comfort that I am, so... maybe I would! It's always a treat reading your posts, Janalyn; thanks for making it calorie-free food for thought. :)

I think that we are capable of enduring much more than what we think we can. I like to think that the strength and fortitude that helped my grandoarents raise 8 children during the Depression is in me! Thanks for a great post.

I believe you're right, Connie. We're stronger than we know.

• Golden Age of Steamboats

The Golden Age of River Steamboats is roughly the period from 1850 – 1870.  Specifically the ten years before the Civil War and the few years afterward were the best commercially for packets on the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers.

Str Virginia 1896 (Courtesy of the Murphy Library at the U of WI La Crosse)

In those days cabin passage on a packet was luxurious.  Cut glass chandeliers in the parlor, oil paintings in every stateroom, gilded mirrors and marble tables, thick carpets, and steaming foods piled high.  Life on the rivers was at its best.  Neither homes nor hotels of the 1850’s could provide such comfort.  Everyone whose life centered on the river was prosperous.  Even the crew walked with a swagger jingling their plentiful silver.

The Civil War changed every aspect of the western rivers.  The Missouri and lower Mississippi Rivers were virtually blockaded by the secessionists.  Boats that had carried passengers in luxury were packed with Union troops and supplies.  These civilian wooden hull warcraft had no protection other than a few iron plates shielding the pilot house.  Often fired upon from the banks of the western rivers, many vessels were captured, looted, and burned.  More fortunate steamers were simply riddled with holes.  Their work was dangerous while their salaries and profits, if any, were reduced to well below the commercial rates before the war.  As civilians, the crew were not entitled to pensions, yet they were subject to the same harsh treatment as prisoners of war if captured.  Many of the independent owner/operators never recovered from the financial hardships caused by the war.  These hardy steamboat men took the hard knocks but without the glory.

The Civil War was the first of two disasters that brought an end to the steamboat days.  The second came creeping from the east on parallel rails of steel after the war.  In late 1865, railroads were still months away from the Missouri River.   Some packets on the lower Missouri were loaded with iron rails, locomotives and boxcars, spikes, fishplates, bolts and other railroad building supplies.  They also transported the muscular young men looking for work on the railway projects subsidized by the Pacific Railway Act.

In the end, steamboats fell to progress – victims of the technological advances from which they at one time benefited.  They had done their job of taming a continent, and had done it well with style.  Quite frankly, few people had expected that railroads would make the proud packets a thing of the past.  Their passing left people with a sense of loss.   As railroad locomotives grew more powerful and numerous, steamboats became fewer and disheveled.  First the pineapple tops of the lofty stacks disappeared followed by the stained glass windows and cut glass chandeliers.  Gradually even fresh paint was seen less frequently – irritating the retina and spirit.  The steamboat became the ghost of an era when men believed that anything could be accomplished.

And so the golden days of the packet were over, replaced by railroads on one hand and by the tug boat and barges on the other.

Str Bigfoot (Courtesy of U of W LaCrosse)

The threads of the past are woven into the fabric of today.  That is what is meant when we talk about inland river steamboats as a legacy.  The lives of the steamboat captains and their crew and the values that drove them continue to be important today.  Their legacy is a gift, and a responsiblilty.  It is up to us to preserve it and pass it along to future generations.   

Copyright © 2015 Francis W Nash All Rights Reserved

No part of this website may be reproduced without permission in writing from the author.

• Search for:

A little something about you, the author. Nothing lengthy, just an overview.

• Site Outline
• PowerShips Fall 2012
• PowerShips Summer 2013
• S$D Reflector Jun 2020
• The Game (29 Sep 2013)
• Civil War Transports
• Civil War Timeline
• NPE Journal Segment 1
• Steamers Sighted
• Capt Jacob Poe
• Index of Names
• River Experiences
• Capt Thomas W Poe
• Capt George WE Poe
• Capt George W Ebert
• Captain John Smith McMillin
• Capt Richard Calhoon
• Capt Thomas S Calhoon
• Capt Jackman T Stockdale
• Capt Andrew Hague Parr
• The Book p1-43
• The Book p45-85
• The Book p87-125
• The Book p127-163
• The Book p165-205
• The Book p207-294
• BML v Lytle-Holdcamper
• Re-discovered Steamers
• Living Capts and Pilots
• Masters and Pilots Licenses
• Steamer List
• Str Amelia Poe
• Str Barranquilla
• Str Belfast
• Str Belmont
• Str Big Foot
• Str Buckeye State
• The Taste of Ashes
• Str Georgetown
• Str Glaucus
• Str Glencoe
• The Case for Indemnity
• Str Katie Stockdale
• Str Leonora
• Str Mollie Ebert
• Str Neptune
• Str Nick Wall
• Str Silver Wave
• Str Virginia
• Str Washington City
• Str Yorktown b1853
• Str Yorktown b1864
• Georgetown Keel Boats
• Pitt and Cin Packet Line
• Packet Officers
• The Decline
• PCPL Advertisment 1903
• Old Pitt-Cin Packet Line
• Lower Missouri River.
• Upper Missouri River.
• TS Calhoon’s Book 1866
• TS Calhoon’s Diary 1869
• Blackfeet Nation in 1869
• Steamboat Memorabilia
• Nash Steamboat Postcards
• Pitt Sun-Telegraph 29 Mar
• City Photos
• Lillian May Poe
• Poe Glass Plates
• Unidentified Men
• Unidentified Women
• Death Notifications
• Churches, Schoools, etc
• The Lost Frontier Fort
• Indian Rocks
• Point of Beginning
• Maps of Georgetown
• Lots 9&10 1945
• Lots 19&20 1833
• Lots 19&20 1850
• Lot 21 1804
• Lot 21 1850
• Poe Wood 1850
• Ltrs WH Turner
• Ltrs Jacob Poe
• Ltrs William A Calhoon
• Adam Poe 6 Jan 1849
• Adam Poe 22 Mar 1849
• Adam Poe 15 May 1852
• NY Times 15 Aug 1864
• The Circuit Rider
• St Luke’s Episcopal Church
• The Iced Body
• The Mercy Mission
• The Preacher’s Note
• The Point of Beginning
• The Indian Rocks
• Public Water ca1815
• Georgetown Ferry
• Census Data Analysis
• EB Hawkins’ Letters
• Artist Andrew Jackson Poe
• Gentleman Charles E Poe
• Autograph Book 1878
• Floral Album 1878
• JR Pension Transcription
• Georgetown Cemetery File
• Family Bibles
• Value of the US Dollar
• Reading List
• Acknowledgements
• October 2021
• November 2020
• September 2020
• August 2020
• January 2020
• December 2019
• November 2019
• October 2019
• February 2019
• January 2019
• December 2018
• November 2018
• October 2018
• September 2018
• August 2018
• January 2018
• December 2017
• August 2017
• February 2017
• January 2017
• December 2016
• November 2016
• August 2016
• February 2016
• January 2016
• December 2015
• October 2015
• September 2015
• August 2015
• February 2015
• December 2014
• August 2014
• January 2014
• December 2013
• November 2013
• October 2013
• September 2013
• August 2013
• February 2013
• January 2013
• December 2012
• October 2012
• September 2012
• August 2012
• February 2012
• January 2012
• December 2011
• November 2011
• October 2011
• September 2011
• August 2011
• February 2011
• January 2011
• December 2010
• November 2010
• October 2010
• September 2010
• August 2010
• February 2010
• January 2010
• December 2009
• November 2009
• October 2009
• September 2009
• August 2009
• Civil War Steamers (59)
• History of Georgetown PA (227)
• Missouri River Commerce (39)
• River history (186)
• River Museums (6)
• River Tales (75)
• Steamer Captains (107)
• Uncategorized (46)

Museums/Libraries/Blogs

• GeorgetownSteamboats on Facebook
• Lancaster at War
• Museum of Ceramics
• Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
• Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen
• Steamboat Building at Elizabeth, PA
• Steamboats.com
• Ten Mile Creek Country
• UW LaCrosse Historic Steamboat Photographs
• Valid XHTML

is proudly powered by WordPress Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS) .

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Mississippi

Why Historic Mississippi Riverboats Continue To Be A Beloved Pastime In The South

Bon voyage!

The Mississippi River has long been a character all its own in the South, brought to life by the words of Southern writers and musicians, as well as through those who have traveled it. The river runs over 2,300 miles and spans 10 states, with a popular stretch running from Memphis to New Orleans. During the early 1800s, steamboats began running up and down the mighty Mississippi, offering a new kind of access to all the towns and ports in between.

The History of Riverboat Cruises on the Mississippi

What started as a shipping venture became a pastime for people to explore the South. The river offered a peek into the culture of the places it flows through. You could explore the roots of jazz, blues, and country, as well as the small towns of the pre- and post-Civil War eras. The many ports-of-call offer the ability to tour and experience a sliver of the South, each with a different view into the area's history. For good or bad, the Mississippi knows the South better than anything else, and the riverboat has always acted as a translator.

Following the first legendary steamboats, such as the Natchez , the industry boomed with thousands of riverboat cruises. Now, you won't find near as many boats floating the Mississippi River, looking like tiered white wedding cakes adorned with red trim.

What Cruise Experiences Are Still Offered Today

The use of the steamboat, which can only run at a speed of around 15 miles-per-hour, has given way for more modern and efficient boat travel. However, there are still day cruises, casino cruises, and even multi-day experience cruises that pay homage to the historic custom.

The tradition continues to survive in the South with a timely point-of-view. American Queen Voyages recently marked its 10th season on the Mississippi River with new experiences (such as events with chef and biscuit queen, Regina Charboneau) on its flagship paddlewheeler, American Queen . Its Lower Mississippi River itineraries have included nine-day journeys that sail between Memphis and New Orleans, with ports-of-call in Vicksburg , Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and more. Additional riverboat options that remain on the Mississippi River include American Cruise Lines and Viking River Cruises , amongst others.

While the historic view of the river might appear differently than a hundred years ago, a ride on a Mississippi riverboat still feels like a step back in time.

Related Articles

• Digital Archives
• Order a Copy

Old-school steam engineering thrives on century-old riverboat

It was a chilly and misty Louisville, Ky., evening in mid-September, the kind of weather that cuts into an excursion boat’s passenger count. Still, a reasonable turnout of enthusiastic passengers warmed in the buttery glow of the interior lounges and dining room aboard Belle of Louisville . The revered steamboat, a National Historic Landmark, was one month away from turning the paddlewheel on a century of service plying America’s Western rivers.

In the pilothouse, Capt. Kevin Mullen and pilot Capt. Eddie Mattingly were preparing for a two-hour dinner cruise on the Ohio River. “For most of us this is more of an avocation than a job,” said Mullen. The people on this boat choose to work here and take care of the boat. The officers aboard did not learn by the book, they learned the old way — trained by guys who ran the steamboats in the 1930s. 

As the 1900 departure time closed in, Mattingly, working the steering levers and spinning the 7-foot maple wheel, was warming up the steam-assisted power steering system. “This is done before every cruise and is necessary to drain any condensation from the steam lines and piston cylinder,” he said. “And just as importantly, this gives us early detection of any debris lodged in the rudders before departing the landing.” 

In the engine room, alternate chief engineer Steve Mattingly (Eddie’s brother), and assistant engineers Dan Lewis and Tom Coursen were clustered around one of two pristine, double-acting reciprocating steam engines, circa 1890, perched in mechanical elegance and surrounded by tradition.

At 1830, passengers were boarding to the throaty notes thrust forth by the steam-powered calliope, one of only six left in the world. “It is loud, but it’s just a lot of fun,” said calliopist Martha Gibbs. “This is the most fun job I’ve ever had.”

Belle sparkled. It is one of three vessels owned by the Belle of Louisville, a nonprofit, city-owned entity, managed by the Louisville Waterfront Development Corp. The excursion vessel Spirit of Jefferson, built in 1963, and the historic lighthouse barge Mayor Andrew Broaddus fill out the fleet lineup. The barge, referred to as the wharf boat, is itself a National Historic Landmark housing the Belle of Louisville offices and maintenance shed.

Belle of Louisville was constructed in 1914 by James Rees & Sons Co. in Pittsburgh, Pa., as a ferry and packet boat bearing the name Idlewild . During World War II, Idlewild was fitted out for pushing barge tows on the river for the military and served as a USO nightclub for troops at various military bases.

“She was bought by a Cincinnati company in 1947 (and) renamed Avalon and became a tramp steamer conducting river excursions on all of the Western rivers system,” said Capt. Mark Doty, ship’s master in charge of all three vessels. “She is the only authentic steamboat left from the American steamboat era, a 100-or-so-year run of water transportation that was, for the most part, displaced by diesel in the 1920s. She is considered the most traveled steamboat in history.”

In 1962 the vessel was in dire straits and narrowly avoided the scrap heap. Jefferson County Judge Marlow Cook bought Avalon at an auction for $34,000 and Louisville took the vessel under wing and rechristened it Belle of Louisville . “She was a rust bucket at the time,” said Doty. “Volunteers put her back together and made her what she is today.”

James McCoy, chief engineer for all three vessels, explained that if Belle had remained in private hands, the vessel would not have survived the 1960s. “We’re very proud of the Belle ,” he said, launching into an explanation of Belle ’s steam system.

The two engines were also built at Rees & Sons, circa 1890 — 25 or so years before the vessel was constructed. The horizontal cylinders have a 16.5-inch bore and a 6.5-foot stroke, producing a total of 450 hp. Each Pitman, the connecting arm that runs back from the engine and turns a crank on each side of the paddlewheel, is made of Douglas fir heartwood. The 24-foot-wide paddlewheel weighs 17.5 tons and is made of 16 white oak bucket planks. There are three 4-foot-by-9-foot rudders forward of the wheel.

When the engines are engaged in full stroke and running full ahead, they receive steam the entire length of the stroke. “Once the desired speed is attained, a cutoff is activated allowing steam to enter the cylinder at about 50 percent of the stroke. It is a variable cutoff so we can adjust this amount to any desired amount we want to run the boat most efficiently,” McCoy said.

While underway, the engine room is so quiet you can hear the shore traffic. The two pistons inhale and exhale at 11.5 to 12 rpm. “I worked out the torque the other day and it’s 240,000 foot-pounds,” Coursen said.

The boiler room, or firebox, is where the fireman stands watch and keeps the pressure on. The boiler, fabricated in St. Louis in 1967 by Nooter Corp., is a fire tube boiler with a common steam drum, mud drum and furnace. The boiler is fueled with No. 4 diesel. All three drums, under normal conditions, carry as much as 6,500 gallons of water.

The water is taken from the river into a settling tank, where any solids sink to the bottom, and then pumped into the boilers. The resulting steam is sent through overhead pipes to a collector drum and then to a throttle that controls the amount of steam injected into the engines to drive the pistons.

“Last year, Atlas Machine, a local company, re-bored the cylinders and fabricated new pistons and rings for us at no cost,” said McCoy. “It’s the first time work of this magnitude has been performed on these engines in more than 100 years of use. They’re basically new engines now.”

Back on the pilothouse deck, Mullen moved forward of the house and through a configuration of stay wires and passed the ship’s bell — vintage 1898 — onto the starboard wing bridge. From his perch, 130 feet forward of the house, Mullen became the pilot’s eyes. The walkie-talkie in Mullen’s hand is a modern concession used to communicate with Mattingly at the helm, as well as the deck crew.

 “We use the headline to warp the stern of the vessel out into the river,” said Mullen. “The headline holds the bow in place to allow the stern to get out on the river. The distance the stern is out is dictated by wind and current. The more wind, the farther out the stern has to be. You learn to know when the Belle is out far enough by experience.”

In the pilothouse, Mattingly stepped on a foot pedal and Belle ’s original steam whistle billowed a thick cloud of vapor and a long guttural signal that the vessel was about to leave the dock. 

Once Belle of Louisville gained the main channel of the Ohio River, the vessel proceeded upriver and made the Louisville bridges. Mattingly explained that at approximately six, 12 and 18 miles above Louisville, there is a series of three islands, named accordingly. They are used, among other landmarks, to aid the pilot in determining the appropriate turnaround points to keep the vessel on scheduled landing times. On a two-hour dinner cruise, Six Mile Island is the turn point.

In the engine room where the action takes place during a turn, Steve Mattingly explained that “there are always two engineers at the throttle while ‘handling’ the boat. It’s a joint effort between the engineers, the fireman and the pilot to keep the correct timing. She has a working Western rivers bell boat system, but we use annunciators.”

Coursen, surrounded by a configuration of levers and the telegraph, prepared to go into action. At his side, Mattingly stood ready to react in case a bell was missed or a mechanical malfunction interfered with the process. Mattingly relayed the bells to fireman Dan Lewis so that he could vary his rate of firing, depending upon the demands for steam.

A slow-ahead bell was the first indication that a turn was imminent. Hands in motion, Coursen answered the bell and disengaged the cutoff to return the engines to full stroke. He opened the scape pipes to relieve the back pressure on the cylinders from running at full stroke and adjusted the throttle to the slow position.

The next bell from the pilothouse signaled “all stop.” With hands flying, Coursen answered the bell, disengaged the engines and then reversed them, ending with the engines in the neutral position.

The next bell was a call for “slow astern.” Coursen answered the bell and re-engaged the engines.

With the turn nearly completed, the next bell was “all stop.”  Coursen launched his hands, answered the bell, disengaged the engines and returned them to the ahead position.

Finally the bell called for “full ahead.” Coursen answered and grasped the ship-up jack, engaged the engines and opened the throttle to gain forward momentum. Once Belle was steaming and had established forward momentum, Coursen re-engaged the cutoff. With the cutoff engaged, he closed the scape pipes and adjusted the throttle to “full ahead.” His “Dances with Hands” performance was over for the moment.

Post-turn, a lull in the action was the signal for the stewards to ferry steaming trays of fried chicken, roast beef, fish and all the trimmings — leftovers from dinner supplied by Hall’s Catering — down to the engine room for the crew to feast on between maneuvers.

Approaching Louisville, a few passengers braved the brisk and misty air on deck to view the bridges silhouetted against the city lights.

In the pilothouse, Mattingly made the bridges and lined Belle of Louisville up with the stern of the wharf boat. Belle , not being the easiest vessel to maneuver in tight quarters, requires forethought, experience and patience to land. Wind and currents add to the currency of challenges. “Misreading them could put the boat and her passengers in peril,” he said.

Mullen struck out for his position on the starboard wing bridge as Mattingly brought Belle in at a very slow speed. “That presents challenges for the pilot because there is very little rudder control at the slow speed,” said Mullen.

Mullen radioed Mattingly with boat-to-land distances and rudder and engine commands. In turn, Mattingly relayed them to the engine room via the telegraph. The engine room answered each bell and engaged the rudders and engine as required. Mullen incorporated the delay, inherent in the three-way procedure, into the timing of his instructions. “I listen to the scape pipes and can tell from the exhaust when the engines are engaged,” he said.

At about 30 feet from the wharf boat, and 30 feet from the concrete wall, Mullen instructed the deck crew to throw a line to the wharf boat. Employing the steam capstan on the bow, the deck crew pulled Belle forward. “It’s an 800-ton boat,” said Mullen. “But if we are going in too fast I can check the boat with the rudder. When the bow is in position, I position the rudders and back the stern into the wall. The goal is to have no bump. That is our measure of a successful landing, when nobody feels a bump.”

A month after that bumpless landing, McCoy reported that the centennial celebrations for Belle of Louisville were “a rousing success.”  Capt. C.C. “Doc” Hawley was on hand to describe his early career on Avalon and his time as master of Belle . He noted that in 1975 he brought out the steamboat Natchez in New Orleans.

Joining the six-day party were the paddlewheel boats Spirit of Jefferson , Spirit of Peoria , Belle of Cincinnati and River Queen . Also on hand were the towboat J.S. Lewis , 98-year-old steam sternwheel towboat W.P. Snyder (also a Rees-built boat), sternwheeler Clyde and Capt. Tom Schiffer’s steam launch.

“That week alone the Belle carried over 5,000 passengers from far and wide,” said McCoy. 

By Professional Mariner Staff

• NKY COMMUNITY CALENDAR

The paddlewheel on the Rafter CLYDE, my 53-foot sternwheeler, is said to be one of the very few authentic wooden paddlewheels remaining on the Mississippi River System. (Paul Richardson Art)

The paddlewheel on the Rafter CLYDE, my 53-foot sternwheeler, is said to be one of the very few authentic wooden paddlewheels remaining on the Mississippi River System. Now, there are many external, stern-mounted “spinners” on various riverboats, large and small, but except for a very few, CLYDE included, most incorporate materials other than the stuff derived from trees. 

Other boats boasting of all-wooden paddlewheels, not counting particular necessary steel, structural parts, includes the likes of the BELLE of LOUISVILLE, W.P. SNYDER, JR., DELTA QUEEN, LONE STAR, and the GEORGE M. VERITY. All these boats were constructed early-to-midway in the last century; with the BELLE and the SNYDER already past the century mark. The QUEEN, too, is fast approaching that milestone age.   

Since the first steamboat came down the Ohio River in 1811, a sidewheeler named the NEW ORLEANS, with a paddlewheel on either side instead of at the back of the boat, wood was the material used. After all, a vast forest covered much of the route of the New Orleans, and paddlewheel parts could be easily fabricated along the way, if necessary. Wood remained the raw material of choice well into the 20th Century when steel and aluminum began replacing wood for its strength and lesser weight. But by then, paddlewheels had enjoyed their brief time in the sun and were all but obsolete and replaced by metal propellers except for a few excursion, overnight, casino, and pleasure sternwheelers. 

Since the first steamboat came down the Ohio River in 1811, a sidewheeler named the NEW ORLEANS, with a paddlewheel on either side instead of at the back of the boat, wood was the material used.

Even wooden paddlewheels must have certain parts made of metal for the strength only that material can offer. Iron was used in the early years until steel replaced the softer and more brittle metal. Those parts are namely, the Shaft, Flanges, Circle bands, and Stirrup and other bolts. 

In the days before I tested for, and was awarded an Inland Mate’s license by the U. S. Coast Guard, one question usually asked on the exam was: “Name all the parts of a paddlewheel.” Was I disappointed when that question failed to appear on my test! 

I might add that wood is still the preferred material in an otherwise all-metal wheel, and those parts being the “Buckets,” the boards pushing through the water giving a vessel forward or reverse thrust. Most greenhorns might call them “paddles.” They’re not; they’re “Buckets.”

Even wooden paddlewheels must have certain parts made of metal for the strength only that material can offer. Iron was used in the early years until steel replaced the softer and more brittle metal.

Radiating out from the Shaft like spokes in any wheel are a paddlewheel’s “Arms.” Bolted to circular Flanges, wheel Arms attach to the Shaft. On a wooden wheel, White Oak, preferred for its strength, is the traditional material of choice. On metal wheels, angle, tubular, or channel stock replace wood. 

Buckets are traditionally attached to the Arms with U-shaped “Stirrup Bolts” which fit around the Arms and penetrate holes drilled through the Bucket Boards. Between the Buckets and the washers and nuts on the Stirrups, a piece of wood or metal plate adds strength and buffers the tension between the bolts and the boards. These are known as “Battens.” 

“Circle Fillers” are the curved wooden pieces between the metal bands that bolt to the metal Circles. However, the Circles are never bolted to the Arms if they are the outermost set of Circles. The Arms closest to the Buckets need to be as tight as possible, for this is the section of the paddlewheel taking all the pounding and beating.

Only in Circles closer to the Shaft are they bolted to the Wheel Arms. Consequently, there must be a way of adjusting the tension on the parts of the outer section of the propulsion unit. Wedge-shaped oak pieces called “Keys,” allow for such tightening.

Radiating out from the Shaft like spokes in any wheel are a paddlewheel’s “Arms.” Bolted to circular Flanges, wheel Arms attach to the Shaft. On a wooden wheel, White Oak, preferred for its strength, is the traditional material of choice.

The timber in a wooden Paddlewheel is expendable and is expected to be needing periodic replacement with water, driftwood, and time taking their toll on the natural fibrous, former tree trunks. CLYDE’s Wheel Arms are “rough-cut,” full-size two-by-fours not found on the rack at the Big Box stores. Every piece on the Wheel is custom-cut. Rick Starker of Dream Woodworks in Vevay, Indiana, has to find a lumber supplier with a supply of White Oak that Rick has to cut and plane into size.    I’m confident that “green” oak is hard on Rick’s planer. Yet, each piece is milled to the exact dimensions every time I drive to Vevay to pick up a new batch. I try to dry the “green” wood before painting and using it, but sometimes I need to use it before curing. I’ve never noticed any difference. As Captain Wagner so often reminded me when I wanted to get too particular:

After each landing of the DELTA QUEEN, my crew and I, armed with small sledgehammers, quickly invaded the massive 40-ton paddlewheel; began tapping each Key; testing for tightness as determined by the sound of striking the adjustable part.

“We’re building (or painting) paddlewheels; not pianos.”   

As rumored, the lovely CLYDE., the most authentically-built small sternwheeler on the river, is seeking a new owner. The perky paddlewheeler has done worn out its present one and looking for another to carry on the fun and traditions only a boat like the CLYDE can provide. Until that time, though, I am continuing to spruce-up the lovely lady.

As there are a few pieces, yet, needing attention in the Paddlewheel – any volunteers? Just leave a message on my phone. I will be inside the Wheel, and I never take it with me to spoil the tranquility only hammering and sawing oak replacement paddlewheel parts can offer.

As rumored, the lovely CLYDE., the most authentically-built small sternwheeler on the river, is seeking a new owner. The perky paddlewheeler has done worn out its present one and looking for another to carry on the fun and traditions.

Captain Don Sanders is a river man. He has been a riverboat captain with the Delta Queen Steamboat Company and with Rising Star Casino. He learned to fly an airplane before he learned to drive a “machine” and became a captain in the USAF. He is an adventurer, a historian, and a storyteller. Now, he is a columnist for the NKyTribune and will share his stories of growing up in Covington and his stories of the river. Hang on for the ride — the river never looked so good.

Related Posts

REDI Cincinnati names finalists for James A. Wuenker Growth Award, four from Northern Kentucky

State’s certificate of need repeal dies on bipartisan vote in House committee; better solutions needed

KBE selects Lawrence Co. Superintendent Robbie Fletcher as state’s next commissioner of education

Love the paddlewheel stories. I loved cruising on the Delta Queen 30+ times.

Really have Learned more about Paddlewheels than I need to know at this stage. Capt. Don does have a real talent for explaining what he is talking about.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Affiliations

• Licking River Series

Visiting the Gateway Arch: Enter the monument through the Gateway Arch Visitor Center, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs are exits only. Please allow at least 30 minutes to go through security. Tickets sell out early and often, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Pending availability, additional tickets may be available for same-day purchase beginning at 9am each day through our website, call center, and ticket center at the Gateway Arch. Same-day ticket availability is not guaranteed and sells out early and often.

• Hours & Pricing
• Directions & Parking
• Sample Itinerary
• Tram Ride to the Top
• Riverboat Cruises
• Virtual Reality Theater
• Old Courthouse
• Activities & Attractions
• Tour Operators
• Field Trips
• Private Events
• Group Pricing
• Submit Photos

Flashback: A Brief History of the Riverboats

Located downtown on the riverfront; it set sail daily during the spring, summer and fall months; and has been providing fond memories for millions of passengers throughout the years. The Tom Sawyer has been part of St. Louis history for decades. But do you know the storied history?

Here’s a one-minute synopsis: Decades ago, the downtown St. Louis riverfront was home to hundreds of riverboats that lined the Mississippi riverfront. (Who remembers the tall stacks of the Robert E. Lee or the shimmering Admiral?)

Enter the Tom Sawyer brought to St. Louis in 1964 to accommodate the spectators who wanted a closer look at the building of the Gateway Arch. Since then, many boats have left the riverfront (most recently, the Admiral in 2011), but today, the Tom remains. This year he celebrate his 50 th  anniversary of cruising on the St. Louis riverfront!

(And another fun fact: The Gateway Arch Riverboats are a part of the oldest Mississippi excursion boat company that has called St. Louis its home port since 1917!)

Categories:

• Arch Grounds (16)
• Construction (2)
• Gateway Arch (28)
• National Park Service (20)
• Old Courthouse (3)
• Programming (2)
• Riverboats (1)
• St. Louis (19)
• Things to Do (12)
• Uncategorized (6)
• June 2023  (2)
• December 2021  (2)
• October 2021  (2)
• August 2021  (1)
• July 2021  (2)
• June 2021  (2)
• May 2021  (1)
• April 2021  (2)
• March 2021  (2)
• February 2021  (3)
• December 2020  (1)
• July 2020  (2)
• June 2020  (1)
• May 2020  (1)
• April 2020  (1)
• March 2020  (1)
• February 2020  (1)
• November 2019  (2)
• October 2019  (2)
• September 2019  (1)
• August 2019  (1)
• July 2019  (2)
• June 2019  (2)
• May 2019  (2)
• February 2019  (1)
• January 2019  (1)
• November 2018  (1)
• April 2018  (1)
• July 2017  (1)
• April 2017  (1)
• March 2017  (1)
• February 2017  (1)
• May 2015  (2)
• May 2014  (1)
• March 2014  (2)
• January 2014  (1)

Old Sacramento Waterfront

Subscribe to our newsletter, the delta king riverboat.

Talk about casino destinations and you’ll most likely think of Las Vegas, Atlantic City or, if you are travelling outside the US, maybe Monaco or Macau.

Yet what are called “land based” or “bricks and mortar” casinos to differentiate them from the online versions are not necessarily on land or made of bricks and mortar.

We refer, of course, to riverboat casinos, a little slice of Americana that’s as American as Super Bowl Sunday or Thanksgiving turkey. Riverboat casinos conjure up images of the Mississippi and Mark Twain complete with white suit, top hat and cigar. There are more than 60 riverboat casinos operating in the USA and every single one of them has a story to tell. Here, we highlight a handful of the very best.

The Grand Victoria, Elgin

Our first stop is not on the Mississippi at all, but on the Fox River in Elgin, 50 miles north west of Chicago . Owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, the Grand Victoria really is a slice of Las Vegas on the Illinois waterfront.  With more than 1,000 slots and video poker terminals and 36 tables, there’s a great choice of games.

If all that gambling whets your appetite, there are four dining options on board, including the highly rated Buckingham’s Steakhouse and Lounge.

Casino Queen, Marquette  

The Casino Queen would look like a lifeboat if it was moored alongside the Grand Victoria, but that is all part of its charm. It offers a more intimate and personalized experience, and although there are only eight tables, they host an intriguing variety of games that are not commonly found in land (or water) based casinos. If you know how to gamble online in the US , you’ve probably seen fusion blackjack and 21+3 at US online casinos. The Casino Queen gives you an opportunity to play them in real casino surroundings.

When you step ashore, there is an adjacent 31-acre entertainment complex with a variety of attractions and a huge choice of dining options.

The Amelia Belle, Amelia  

At last, we arrive in Louisiana, where the Amelia Belle lies nestled in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway. This classic four-story riverboat looks like it has stepped straight out of a photograph from the turn of the 20 th century. When it is lit up at night, it takes your breath away.

At the tables, poker is the order of the day. The casino offers Mississippi stud, 3-card poker and Texas Holdem. There are also 800 slot games, while the Fanduel sportsbook has self-service betting kiosks, a wall full of television screens, and a huge video wall to show the biggest events.

Sam’s Town, Shreveport

On the opposite side of Louisiana, Sam’s Town could not be more different to the Amelia Belle. This floating leisure complex houses a hotel, health spa, sauna and live entertainment venue.

The casino offers more than 1,000 slots and 30 table games that include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Let it Ride and Craps No More.

Team JST work with our sponsors, shop vendors, and many more to create informative and engaging content.

Jetset Times in your inbox

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy.

What To Consider When Choosing A Hotel In Las Vegas

Great Ways To Make Money Online In 2024

The Best Games To Play On Your Halloween-Themed Vacation

The Synergy Of Artificial Intelligence And Digital Art

6 Tips To Pack Your Products While Traveling

Moscow Boat Tour

• Page active

Description

See all the gems of historical and cultural center of the capital in short time and without traffic jams or tiresome walking.

Depending on the itinerary and duration of the Moscow River boat trip, the tour can be 3 or 5 hours.

Highlights of the tour

• St Basil’s Cathedral;
• Stalin skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya (Tinkers) embankment;
• The Kremlin;
• “House on the Embankment” Stalin skyscraper;
• Monument to Peter I;
• The Central House of Artists;
• Christ the Savior Cathedral;
• Gorky Park;
• Moscow State University;
• Russian Academy of Sciences;
• Luzhniki stadium;
• Novodevichy Monastery;
• Kiev railway station;
• Europe Square;
• Moscow City Hall;
• Government House;
• Expocentre Exhibition Complex;
• and other famous sights.

You will learn about the different epochs of the city from the foundation in 1147 till Soviet times of 20 th  century.

Moscow River

Moskva river has the form of a snake and is the main waterway of Moscow, consisting of a cascade of reservoirs. Within the city, Moskva river is 80 km long, 120 m - 200 m wide and up to 14 m deep. The narrowest part of the river is the Kremlin area in the city center, and the most extensive is around the Luzhniki Stadium in the south. 

Bridges in Moscow

Undoubtedly, bridges and embankments are among the most scenic spots and main attractions of Moscow. Plus, they are so romantic.

• Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge –  Great Stone Bridge –  is the main bridge of Moscow . The first stone bridge was constructed here in the 17th century.
• Patriarshy Bridge  is one of the youngest pedestrian bridges, built in 2004. The bridge connects the iconic Christ the Saviour Cathedral with funky Bersenevskaya embankment, extremely popular place among locals for its trendy art galleries, cafes and panoramic views. Patriarshy Bridge used to be a shooting location for ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's New Year speech to the nation.
• Borodinsky Bridge,  erected in honor of the 100th anniversary of the glorious victory in the Battle of Borodino (which every Russian kid knows about), a fierce legendary battle during the Russo-French war of 1812.
• Bagration Bridge  one of the  pedestrian bridges with most picturesque views of the Moskva River with its numerous upper-level observation platforms. The bridge was erected to celebrate the 850th anniversary of Moscow city in 1997.
• Krymsky Bridge  used to be in Top 5 Europe’s longest bridges some 100 years ago. The bridge got its name after the ancient Krymsky ford which Crimean Tartars used to invade Moscow in the 16 th  century.

Embankments of Moscow

Moscow river boats 37 embankments, the most popular being Kremlevskaya, Sofiyskaya, Pushkinskaya, Vorobyovskaya and Kolomenskaya.

You can get the most spectacular views of the Kremlin from  Kremlevskaya and Sofiyskaya embankments.

• Pushkinkaya embankment  is the most romantic in Moscow. It meanders along Gorky Park and Neskuchnyi garden and is rich for all kinds of entertainment as well as cozy nooks, including Olivkovy beach, the famous Zeleny theater as well as a pier for river cruisers.
• Vorobyevskaya embankment  is part of Sparrow Hills nature reserve. This place opens a beautiful panorama of the river and city from the observation deck and is considered to be the place for taking serious decisions in life.
• Embankment in Kolomenskoye  Museum-Reserve has a special charm due to its peculiar geographical relief. The boat trip around Kolomenskoye would be the most peaceful in your life.
• Taras Shevchenko embankment  is popular among photographers for its modern Moscow City skyscrapers. Highly recommended for your night boat trip.
• Embankments of Moscow are the pride of the capital. A distinctive feature of each of the promenades is its architecture and beautiful views. In addition, almost all the embankments of Moscow have a rich history and a lot of notable buildings.

Different epochs

Taking a walk along the Moskva River by boat, you will witness the architecture of Moscow from different eras and styles. Archaeological studies indicate that already in the XI century there stood a fortified settlement on Borovitsky hill, which is now called the Kremlin. Little fortress could not accommodate all the residents of the rapidly growing city, and the Grand Duke ordered the construction of a new Kremlin, larger than the former.

Boat trip around Kolomenskoe Park

Moscow river boat trip starts from the pier Klenovy (Maple) Boulevard and provides reat views of Nicholas Perervinsky monastery.

Nicholas Perervinsky monastery was founded at the time of the Battle of Kulikov (1380). The monastery, got its name from the surrounding area – “Pererva”, which can be translated like “tear off” and because of the location –  here it abruptly changed its course, turning to Kolomna, standing on the opposite bank.

Nowadays Kolomenskoye is State Art, Historical, Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve, which doors are open to everyone who wants to get in touch with the ancient history of Russia.

Take a break from the big city hustle in the shady parks and gardens of the Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve. Don’t miss a wonderful Church of the Ascension and Tsar Alexey’s Palace in Kolomenskoye!

Monasteries and temples

• Novospassky Monastery
• Founded in the 13th century on the site where now is located the Danilovsky monastery. After a few decades, in 1330, Ivan Kalita moved the monastery onto the Borovitskii hill of the Kremlin. However, in the 15th century, Spassky Monastery again moved, this time to a more spacious place on Krasnoholmskaya waterfront.
• Church of St. Nicholas in Zayaitskom
• Erected in the middle of the XVIII century in baroque style. The building survived after the 1812 fire, but the utensils were destoyed. Parishioners collected donations and restored the temple on their own. In Soviet times, it was closed and re-opened only in 1992.
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• The church was originally erected in honor of the victory over Napoleon and was being under construction for long 44 years. Notoriously demolished in 1937 to be a giant swimming pool under open sky. The current building was constructed in 1990s. It is the tallest and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world.
• The temple was built in 1679-82, during the reign of Tsar Fedor Alekseevich, in late Muscovite Baroque style and can be characterized as bonfire temple. Each gable is a symbol of a heavenly fire.
• Novodevichy Convent
• The most famous concent and monastery in Moscow, presumably founded in 1524. Novodevichy’s status has always been high among other monasteries, it was in this monastery where the women of the royal blood, the wives of Tsars and local rulers of Moscow were kept in prison as nuns.
• St. Andrew’s church  (male acts as Compound Patriarch of Moscow)
• St. Andrew’s church stands right on the slopes of the Sparrow Hills, on the way down to the Moskva River, on the territory of the Nature Reserve “Sparrow Hills”. The monastery is small in size but is very cozy. It’s situated in a quiet courtyard surrounded by temples, fruit trees and flowers.

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow river cruise.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

• Images home
• Editorial home
• Editorial video
• Premium collections
• Entertainment
• Premium images
• AI generated images
• Curated collections
• Animals/Wildlife
• Backgrounds/Textures
• Beauty/Fashion
• Buildings/Landmarks
• Business/Finance
• Celebrities
• Food and Drink
• Healthcare/Medical
• Illustrations/Clip-Art
• Miscellaneous
• Parks/Outdoor
• Signs/Symbols
• Sports/Recreation
• Transportation
• All categories
• Shutterstock Select
• Shutterstock Elements
• Health Care

Browse Content

• Sound effects

PremiumBeat

• PixelSquid 3D objects
• Templates Home
• Instagram all
• Highlight covers
• Facebook all
• Carousel ads
• Cover photos
• Event covers
• Youtube all
• Channel Art
• Etsy big banner
• Etsy mini banner
• Etsy shop icon
• Pinterest all
• Pinterest pins
• Twitter All
• Twitter Banner
• Infographics
• Zoom backgrounds
• Announcements
• Certificates
• Gift Certificates
• Real Estate Flyer
• Travel Brochures
• Anniversary
• Baby Shower
• Mother's Day
• Thanksgiving
• All Invitations
• Party invitations
• Wedding invitations
• Book Covers
• About Creative Flow
• Start a design

AI image generator

• Photo editor
• Background remover
• Collage maker
• Resize image
• Color palettes

Color palette generator

• Image converter
• Creative AI
• Design tips
• Custom plans
• Request quote
• Shutterstock Studios

0 Credits Available

You currently have 0 credits

See all plans

Image plans

With access to 400M+ photos, vectors, illustrations, and more. Includes AI generated images!

Video plans

A library of 28 million high quality video clips. Choose between packs and subscription.

Music plans

Download tracks one at a time, or get a subscription with unlimited downloads.

Editorial plans

Instant access to over 50 million images and videos for news, sports, and entertainment.

Includes templates, design tools, AI-powered recommendations, and much more.

Search by image

Moscow River Ship royalty-free images

17,742 moscow river ship stock photos, vectors, and illustrations are available royalty-free for download., scarlet glow of the sunset over the moscow river and the kremlin.

Aerial Moscow city panorama

Panoramic view of Moscow river with cruise boat in Moscow, Russia

Cruise Ship is sailing along the Moskva River, Moscow, Russia

Moscow Kremlin at sunset

Moscow river. Ship float on the Moscow river against the backdrop of the Moscow Kremlin.

Monument to Peter the Great in Moscow and a pleasure boat on the Moscow River on a sunny spring day

Sun set in moscow in winter. Kremlin - moscow river and Cathedral of christ the savior in the frame

Moscow Kremlin at Moskva River, Russia. Beautiful Moscow Kremlin is top tourist attraction of city. Panorama of Moscow landmarks. Scenery of Moscow center with sights and ships. Tourism, travel theme

MOSCOW - AUGUST 07, 2017: Cruise ship sails on the Moscow river in Moscow city center, popular place for walking. Color evening photo.

Northern river port in Moscow on a bright sunny day. The view from the river.

river vessel against the background of the Kremlin

Moscow City with Moscow River at night, Moscow skyline with the historical architecture skyscraper, Aerial view tourist boat and bridge with Arbat street, Russia.

Aerial view is a beautiful panorama of the renovated Northern River Station in Moscow. Colorful landscape of the city and the river at sunset. River cruises

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - AUGUST 9, 2015: Young people are resting on board of Brusov ship in Moscow, Russia. Brusov ship is a new nightclub on board of vintage Valery Brusov cruise ship.

Novoarbatsky bridge, Government Building, Ukraine Hotel during night in Moscow

Driving across Moscow to the river. Summer. Russia.

Pleasure boat on the Moskva River. Moscow, Russia

Moscow, Russia - May 2018: Panoramic view Borodinsky bridge, river Moscow, old buildings and high towers. Urban perspective of Russia capital downtown

Moscow city skyscraper and skyline architecture, Moscow international business financial office with Moscow river, Aerial view skyscraper of Moscow City business center in autumn season, Russia.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 05, 2013: View of Moscow river, pleasure boat and Moscow International Business Center (Moscow City), Russia

Famous Moscow Kremlin and Moskva river, Russia

Moscow. Russia. May 29, 2018 Panoramic view of Moscow river with cruise boat, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Crimean bridge in Moscow, Russia

Pushkinsky and Krymsky bridges at day in Moscow, Russia. Panorama of city

Russia, Moscow, October 9, 2021. Pleasure, touristic vessel Flotilla "Radisson Royal" River cruise on the Moscow River. Top view.

View of Moscow Kremlin and Moscow River, Russia

Aerial view from the Moscow International Business Center "Moscow-City" with the Evolution Tower, the Bagration bridge, the Tower 2000 and the Moskva river

Moscow, Russia, March, 28, 2016. Modern pleasure boats of flotilla Radisson Royal moored to embankment of Taras Shevchenko in Moscow

Cityscape Moscow River from the Kremlin walls and the Kremlin cathedrals in the background of a beautiful sunset

Tourist ship sails on the Moskva River past the Moscow Kremlin, Russia. Beautiful panoramic view of Moscow with Kremlin Embankment in summer. Scenery of a river in the Moscow city centre in sun light.

Aerial view of ship in Volga river at Moscow- Russia

river motor ship on Moscow-river

Wide angle view of high buildings in Moscow city district with reflections in river isolated on white background

Kind to the Moscow Kremlin, Grand Kremlin Palace, Cathedrals and quay Moskva River

Moscow City International Business Center in Russia

Moscow, Russia - February 14, 2019: Riverboats moored to the bank of the frozen Moscow River on a bright winter sunny day

MOSCOW - MAY 31: People resting on the banks of the Moskva River on May 31, 2014 in Moscow. River ship is in the background.

Moscow, Russia - April 11, 2016: the Cruise ship "Radisson Cruises" on the Moscow river.

View of the Moskva River and the Moscow Kremlin from the Patriarchal Bridge in the morning sun

Moscow, Russia - The Moskva River / Moscow River in evening time

Russia, Moscow - July 5 2018: Ship of Flotilla Radisson Royal. Moscow River Cruise. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior at sunset.

view on new Moscow City buildings in winter

View of the Moscow Kremlin by a sunny cloudy day and Moscow transport: cars and a ship

Moscow, hotel "Ukraine" (new name "Radisson Royal").

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour near Moskva river, Moscow. Russia

Moscow, Russia - May 15, 2018: The ship sails on the river

River cruise liner moored north of the river port of Moscow

Modern river ship on the background of the bridge in the city. The ship sails on the city river sailing under the beautiful bridges in the city on the river. Picturesque modern urban architecture

A view of the Moscow Kremlin with a pink evening sunset and a Moscow river with a cruise ship

Moscow Kremlin and Moskva River, Russia. Old Moscow center is famous landmark of Russia. Scenic cityscape of Moscow town, nice landscape of Moscow city, Russian capital. Sightseeing and travel theme.

Motor ship on Moscow river and beautiful Kremlin blurry

Firework over Kremlin and Moskva river in Moscow, Russia

Cruise ship sails on the Moscow river in Moscow city center, popular place for walking. Panoramic view of Moscow river with cruise boat

10.03.2022. Moscow, Russia. The ship sails along the Moscow River. High quality photo

Moscow. Russia. July 10, 2017.River walks on the Moscow river. Summer evening. Beautiful sunset. Kremlin embankm

Cartoon vector map of Russia with a symbol of Moscow - St. Basil's Cathedral, a symbol of St. Petersburg - Admiralty, with variety of animals living in the area and traveling people as well.

Aerial Moscow City panorama

Russian flag on the background of the Moscow Kremlin and Moscow River in Moscow

Aerial panorama of Moscow nearby the confluence of Vodootvodny Canal and Moskva river

Moscow River

MOSCOW - NOV 13: Hotel Ukraine, Moscow City business complex at evening, Nov 13, 2012, Moscow, Russia. As part of Moscow City business complex facilities will include total value of 10 billion dollars

Moscow center in summer, Russia. Famous Moscow Kremlin is a top tourist attraction of city. Scenic view of the Moscow landmark and ship on Moskva River. Concept of travel and vacation in Moscow.

MOSCOW,RUSSIA - MARCH 29, 2013: Sightseeing boat floats on the Moscow River near the Kremlin

Moscow, Russia - May 18, 2019, A lot of pleasure boats are sailing along the Moscow River near the Kremlin

Moscow cityline

MOSCOW - JUNE 17: Embankment of the Moskva River near the Kremlin, June 17, 2013, Moscow Russia. The length of the river is 503 km. The area of its drainage basin is 17,600 km.

Winter view of Moscow river and Kremlin embankment at the night

City boat on Moscow river at sunset. Beautiful city landscape

Panorama of Moskva River and Kremlin Embankment, Moscow, Russia. View of tourist boats and ships on river. Water trip across Moscow city center in summer. Travel and river theme. Moscow – May 19, 2019

The building of the new River Station with a star on the spire and benches in Moscow on a spring sunny morning. Inscription: Moscow - Volga

Moskva River and Building on Kotelnicheskaya Embankment at summer night in Moscow, Russia. Long exposure. View through window.

View of the Kremlin and a boat on the Moskva River in Moscow on a summer sunny day

Moscow river cruise boat (Moscow, Russia)

River boat on the Moscow river, Moscow, Russia

Moscow-river at night. Long exposure shoot

Tourist boat sails past Moscow Kremlin in summer, Russia. Nice view of Moskva River and Moscow landmarks. Scenic skyline, panorama of Moscow city center, ship, churches. Sightseeing and travel theme

Moscow. Russia. Kremlin. Moscow river in winter. Christmas. New year. Kremlin wall. Decorated evening city. Winter holidays in Russia. Boat trips on the Moscow river. Temples Of The Kremlin

Small ship near the Kremlin wall in Moscow

liner moored at north river station building, built 1937

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - May 28, 2017: View of the Moscow river and Moscow Kremlin. Popular tourist view of the main attraction of Moscow. Russia

View from Moscow-river on Kremlin, Instagram Effect

Moscow Kremlin at night at Victory Day (9th May)

Night Moscow. Moscow River. Hotel Ukraine.

pencil drawing of a skyscraper in Moscow near the Moscow river

Moscow, Russia - July 19, 2016: View of the Moscow Kremlin from the bridge over Moscow river, a cruise ship sails on the still water at sunset. Moscow Kremlin is a touristic landmark, UNESCO Heritage.

Scenic drone aerial view on the Northern river station in Moscow during sunset

2018.06.17, Moscow, Russia. Ships on Moscow river on tallest building background. Cityscape of Moscow. Summer in the Moscow.

The embankment of the Moscow river with views of the University. Moscow. Russia.

The ship sails along the Moscow river near the Sparrow Hills

Aerial scenic view over the Moskva River from western bound of the Gorky Park in central Moscow, Russia

Moscow. Ships on the Moscow river

View of the Moscow River and the Christ the Savior Cathedral

Our company

Press/Media

Investor relations

Shutterstock Blog

Popular searches

Stock Photos and Videos

Stock photos

Stock videos

Stock vectors

Editorial images

Featured photo collections

Sell your content

Affiliate/Reseller

International reseller

Live assignments

Rights and clearance

Website Terms of Use

Terms of Service

Privacy policy

Modern Slavery Statement

Cookie Preferences

Shutterstock.AI

AI style types

Shutterstock mobile app

Android app

© 2003-2024 Shutterstock, Inc.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Two Men Charged in Deadly Boat Accident in Hudson River

A 47-year-old woman and a 7-year-old boy drowned after the private boat capsized in July 2022. Prosecutors said the boat was being operated recklessly.

By Hurubie Meko

Two New Jersey men who owned and operated a 24-foot boat that capsized in the Hudson River, killing two people, including a 7-year-old boy, were arrested and charged on Thursday with misconduct and neglect that prosecutors say caused the deaths .

The men, Richard Cruz and Jaime Pinilla Gomez, took paying customers on boat excursions on the vessel despite not having the required credentials and certifications, according to federal prosecutors in Manhattan. Mr. Cruz charged about $200 per hour for the tours, prosecutors said.

When the boat capsized, prosecutors said, it had more people on board than was allowed, and was traveling “at a high rate of speed” on a day with high winds and heavy seas.

The vessel, called “Stimulus Money,” was carrying 13 people after a trip around the Statue of Liberty on July 12, 2022, when it overturned, throwing all the passengers overboard, according to a criminal complaint. Lindelia Vasquez, 47, and Julian Vasquez, 7, were trapped underneath the boat and drowned, the complaint said. Several others, including a 51-year-old woman, were hospitalized.

Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement on Thursday that federal regulations and safety protocols exist to protect passengers.

“The defendants allegedly flouted those regulations, recklessly disregarded safety protocols, operated the vessel at an unsafe speed in hazardous conditions and overloaded the vessel with too many passengers onboard,” he said. “And the result was tragic — a young boy and a woman were trapped under the vessel and drowned after the vessel capsized.”

Mr. Cruz and Mr. Gomez were each charged with one count of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death, which can carry a sentence of 10 years in prison, according to prosecutors.

A lawyer for Mr. Cruz, Kristoff Williams, with the Federal Defenders of New York, declined to comment on the charges Thursday evening. A lawyer for Mr. Gomez, Thomas H. Nooter, also had no comment.

A plate displayed at the helm of Stimulus Money stated that the vessel’s maximum capacity was 12 people, prosecutors said.

According to regulations, any vessel carrying more than six passengers can be operated only if it has a valid inspection, prosecutors said. The boat’s owner and captain, Mr. Cruz, 32, had bought the vessel about three months earlier and had never sought or received the appropriate inspections, they said.

Mr. Gomez, 25, who was operating the boat, was “insufficiently experienced” and was piloting it in a “dangerous manner, including by rapidly accelerating one engine of the vessel immediately before the capsizing,” prosecutors said.

On the summer day when the boat capsized, there was a small craft advisory for New York Harbor, at the mouth of the Hudson, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s New York office. There were wind gusts of 15 to 20 miles per hour, according to the group.

According to the complaint, the vessel was traveling north on the Hudson River, heading back to Carteret, N.J., after the tour, and capsized just north of Pier 79 in Midtown Manhattan.

Capt. Anthony Ryan, of the New York Waterway ferry company, had been getting ready to depart from the dock on his boat, Garden State, for his afternoon route when he was alerted to the emergency.

The scene he saw, he said in an interview days later , was one he would never forget.

“We see people waving their arms, and they were in distress,” he said at the time. “They were frantic, they were scared.” He said he heard cries in Spanish, “and just a lot of screaming.”

Ms. Vasquez had lived in Elizabeth, N.J., for about 20 years, having moved there from Medellín, Colombia, said a niece, Lina Vasquez, in an interview shortly after her aunt’s death. The police said at the time that both victims were Colombian natives; it was unclear if they were related.

Lindelia Vasquez worked as a manager at Kanela’s Lounge, a restaurant and catering hall in central Elizabeth, and had a happy, take-charge personality, her niece said. She had three children — two young adults and one teenager — who were in the boat with her and survived.

Riley Strain Missing Update as New Clue Discovered in Search

F ears are growing for a missing college student who vanished following a night out with friends on March 8, after his bank card was found by a river on Sunday.

Riley Strain, a 22-year-old University of Missouri student, had been enjoying a trip to Nashville, Tennessee, with his fraternity brothers when he disappeared. Surveillance footage shows him stumbling and struggling to walk in a straight line after he became separated from his friends when he was kicked out of a bar. Strain hasn't been seen since, and his disappearance has sparked a huge manhunt.

According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), some 600,000 people go missing in the U.S. every year. Analysis of missing adults over the age of 21 by Statista revealed that 100,492 men and 62,552 women went missing in 2021.

Strain was asked to leave Luke's 32 Bridge bar, a venue owned by country music star Luke Bryan, which is located on Broadway at about 9.35 p.m. Strain's friends later tried to find him, with their calls all going to voicemail. They reported him missing the next morning.

Video surveillance footage shared by CBS News shows Strain at various points as he walked through the streets alone. He can be seen weaving across the sidewalk as he staggers forwards.

A huge police hunt was launched, involving search teams on foot, while drones, helicopters, and boats, were also deployed.

The college student's family left their Springfield home and drove for seven hours to Nashville to help join the search. Strain's mom, Michelle Whiteid, wept as she told Channel 5: "We talk every day, multiple times a day. This is the longest I've ever gone without talking to him. It's devastating. I just want to find him. And hug him[...] He's such a great kid – such a great kid."

Metro Nashville Police Department revealed on Sunday they had found his bank card on the embankment between Gay Street and the Cumberland River.

Newsweek reached out to the Metro Nashville PD by email seeking further information and comment.

The department shared photos of Strain on X (formerly called Twitter ) as they appealed for help with the search.

Strain is described by police as 6'5" tall (although some reports suggest he is 6'6'' or 6'7'') with a thin build, blue eyes and light brown hair. Anyone with information should call police on 615-862-8600.

The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission said it is investigating whether Strain was over-served before his disappearance, ABC News reported.

TC Restaurant Group, the operator and owner of Luke's 32 Bridge, said it only served Strain one alcoholic beverage and two waters and asked him to leave in line with their conduct standards.

The group added it is working with police "to provide security camera footage and any other potentially helpful information to aid in the search for Riley Strain. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones for his safe return."

Police also said there is no evidence of foul play, adding that Strain didn't appear to be distressed after he left the bar.

It emerged on Monday that Strain had been captured on the body-worn camera of a police officer after the pair passed each other on Gay St. and exchanged friendly greetings. The footage was shared on social media site X (formerly Twitter).

Strain appeared to say: "Hi," as he walked past officer Reginald Young, who replied: "How are you doing, sir?" Strain then replied: "I'm good, how are you?" before walking away.

Update 03/19/24 at 8:27 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include details of a police officer's sighting of Strain before the student disappeared.

Related Articles

• Missing New York 3-Year-Old Girl in 'Extreme Danger'
• Who Is Jason Thompson? Missing Man Found in College Ventilation System
• Body of Missing Heather Schwab Found As Police Make Arrest

Start your unlimited Newsweek trial

Fisherman finds man's body in Roanoke River; police investigating case as homicide

Ben middlebrooks scores career-high 21 points, n.c. state stays hot in 80-67 win over texas tech, bacot, withers help no. 1 seed north carolina beat no. 16 seed wagner in march madness, could unc exit acc key official says league is failing tar heels, other top teams, jack gohlke makes 10 3s as oakland delivers first true shock of march madness, beating kentucky, seth jarvis scores in ot as hurricanes edge flyers 3-2.

WRAL Late News

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 Drawing

Affordable Care Act: Gov. Cooper delivers remarks on 14th anniversary

• River City Live
• Newsletters

BREAKING NEWS

LIVE RADAR: The Weather Authority is tracking scattered spotty showers through the day

A river flood warning and a rip current statement in effect for 4 regions in the area, weeping, weak and soaked, dozens of rohingya refugees rescued after night on hull of capsized boat.

Associated Press

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Rohingya refugees stand on their capsized boat before being rescued in the waters off West Aceh, Indonesia, Thursday, March 21, 2024. The wooden boat carrying dozens of Rohingya Muslims capsized off Indonesia's northernmost coast on Wednesday, according to local fishermen. (AP Photo/Reza Saifullah)

MEULABOH – An Indonesian search and rescue ship on Thursday located a capsized wooden boat that had been carrying dozens of Rohingya Muslim refugees, and began pulling survivors who had been standing on its hull to safety.

An AP photographer aboard the rescue ship said 10 people had been taken aboard local fishing boats and another 59 were being saved by the Indonesian craft.

Recommended Videos

Men, women and children, weak and soaked from the night’s rain, wept as the rescue operation got underway and people were taken aboard a rubber dinghy to the rescue boat.

There were contradictory reports about whether anyone had died in the accident, with survivors saying many who had been aboard when the boat departed from Bangladesh were still unaccounted for, but authorities insisted everyone had been rescued.

“We have examined all 69 Rohingya that we rescued and from our examination, there was no information from them about any deaths," Fathur, a rescue officer who gave only one name, told reporters. "We managed to evacuate all 69 people and no one stated that anyone had died.”

With the addition of six Rohingya who were rescued by private fishing boats that were at the scene well before authorities launched the official rescue mission, a total of 75 people from the boat were saved.

But Samira, a 17-year-old who was among the refugees from the Kutupalong camp in Bangladesh who had been traveling to Malaysia, said there had been 146 people on board, raising the prospect that 71 could still be missing at sea.

She said the boat began foundering three days ago and then capsized on Wednesday, adding that her nephew was among those unaccounted for.

“All of us are very sad," she said. “We are very hungry and weak.”

When fishing vessels reached the scene on Wednesday, desperate refugees clamored aboard one of the boats, overloading it and causing it to also capsize. It was not immediately clear what happened to the crew on board.

After being informed about the refugees in need of help by the fishermen Wednesday morning, an official search and rescue team set off from Banda Aceh city on Wednesday evening. They didn't reach the area of the accident until early in the morning and could not initially locate the capsized boat.

When they came upon it midday Thursday, they found the refugees on its hull, desperate for help.

They rescued 42 men, 18 women and nine children and took some to a temporary shelter in the Aceh Besar district and others to a local hospital for treatment.

Amiruddin, a tribal fishing community leader in Aceh Barat district, said those rescued indicated that the boat was sailing east when it started leaking and then strong currents pushed it toward the west of Aceh.

About 740,000 Rohingya fled earlier to Bangladesh to escape a brutal counterinsurgency campaign by security forces in their homeland of Myanmar.

Thousands have been trying to flee overcrowded camps in Bangladesh to neighboring countries, with Indonesia seeing a spike in refugee numbers since November which prompted it to call on the international community for help. Rohingya arriving in Aceh face some hostility from some fellow Muslims.

Indonesia, like Thailand and Malaysia, is not a signatory to the United Nations’ 1951 Refugee Convention outlining their legal protections, and so is not obligated to accept them. However, they have so far provided temporary shelter to refugees in distress.

Last year, nearly 4,500 Rohingya — two-thirds of them women and children — fled their homeland of Myanmar and the refugee camps in neighboring Bangladesh by boat, the United Nations refugee agency reported. Of those, 569 died or went missing while crossing the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, the highest death toll since 2014.

Returning safely to Myanmar is virtually impossible because the military that attacked them overthrew Myanmar’s democratically elected government in 2021 . No country has offered them any large-scale resettlement opportunities.

Tarigan reported from Jakarta. AP journalist David Rising contributed to this story from Bangkok.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines.