Showboat Branson Belle
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Owner: | Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation |
| Launched: | August 12, 1994[1] |
| Christened: | April 13, 1995 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Inland Steamboat |
| Tonnage: | 1250 tons |
| Length: | 278 feet |
| Beam: | 78 feet |
| Height: | 112 feet (to top of stacks) |
| Draught: | 7 feet |
| Propulsion: | 2 twin rear paddlewheels, 16 feet wide, 24 feet in diameter[1] |
| Speed: | 11 MPH |
| Capacity: | 700 Passengers |
The Showboat Branson Belle is a riverboat - more specifically, a showboat on the Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri. The lake is landlocked by the Table Rock Dam on one side and the Beaver Lake Dam on the other side. Being a showboat it hosts Lunch and Dinner shows throughout the year. One of the most noted performers that play on the Showboat is Todd Oliver and Friends. [2][3][4]
Boat Construction and Launch
The boat was constructed at its port at White River Landing and was launched on August 12, 1994. The boat was launched into Table Rock Lake on Launching Rails that were lubricated with two tons of Bananas at a speed of 14 knots. The bananas were used for lubrication, because it was a biodegradable material and wouldn't pollute Table Rock Lake like grease would have. The boat is claimed by its owner to be the America's Largest Ship on a Landlocked Lake. [1].
