American Queen Visits Wheeling After Refit - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Once again,  the American Queen paddle-wheeler will make a stop in Wheeling at Heritage Port on Tuesday, July 16th.

The American Queen had been owned by the U.S. Maritime Administration between November 2008, and August 2011 when her previous owner went into receivership. Memphis, Tennessee-based Great American Steamboat Company purchased the ship from the government.  After a $6,000,000 refit,  the steamer once again offers a unique way to see America.  Wheeling tourism officials have worked with the new owners to showcase the city.

"We've set up an itinerary, and so a number of the passengers are actually going to get off the boat, and tour historic sites here in Wheeling," Frank O'Brien, Executive Director of the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau said.  "We're going to take them to Centre Market, and I'm sure that they'll spend some money while they're here, so we're pretty excited about it."

Great American Steamship will not have public tours of the vessel while it's docked in Wheeling.  The American Queen will pause there from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.  Even so, O'Brien wants to encourage people to come to Heritage Port and welcome the vessel.  Two other stops in Wheeling are scheduled for July 26th and July 28th.