The Belle of Louisville steamboat is getting a new companion vessel. The Belle’s management team and the Louisville Waterfront Development Corporation are purchasing the Georgia Queen based in Savannah.
“It was built back in 1985, right across the river in Utica, Indiana at Marine Builders," said Belle CEO John Boyle. "The boat is approximately 90 feet long, 30 feet wide and has a capacity for about 565 people.”
The Georgia Queen is smaller than the 102-year-old Belle of Louisville, but larger than the Spirit of Jefferson, which it’s replacing. The aging Spirit of Jefferson will be put up for sale when the Georgia Queen purchase is complete. The purchase price is $750,000. Boyle says it’s hoped the Georgia Queen will be in service for dinner and sightseeing excursions by June 1.
The vessel will also get a new name.
