Lauren Elizabeth
The Lauren Elizabeth, owned by Bill and Mary Price, is, without a doubt, one of the finest examples of Sternwheel vessels in the United States.
The 'Lauren' was designed by Captain Bill Price, his son Captain Steve Price and Captain John Fadeley. The interior was designed by Bill's wife Mary and constructed by Wayne Paterson.
Bill virtually 'grew up' on the river and has spent most of his life owning and operating towboats. It stands to reason that he would design and build his personal vessel to look and, yes, function as a towboat.
The Lauren Elizabeth is 125 feet long and 22 feet wide with an 18 foot diameter by 12 1/2 foot wide paddlewheel. It is of 'all steel' construction and carries 4000 gallons of diesel fuel and 4000 gallons of fresh water. The interior is laid out with 2 state rooms, 2 1/2 baths, kitchen, living room and pilothouse.
Construction of the Lauren began in the late 90's and began its move towards launch in June of 2001.
Like most vessels, just the exterior construction was completed before launch. This saves handling many extra tons during movement on land. It still required two cranes to get her into the river.
Over the next two or so years, the paddlewheel and all other equipment was installed and the interior finished.
The paddlewheel is all steel wheel and measures 18 feet diameter by 12 1/2 feet wide: weight-7 tons.
The 'Lauren' is steered only by 'monkey rudders' (behind the paddlewheel) as shown above. There are two and each measures 8 1/2 feet long by 5 foot high. They are controlled by an electric over hydraulic steering system.
There's nothing small about this boat and, since you have to 'get the power to the water', a large, double tooth drive sprocket is required.
All captains and builders are most concerned about the operation and function of their vessels. So, all machinery was installed and operated first; interior finishing was done later.
The 600 horse power Cummins diesel engine is equipped with a stainless steel exhaust wrapped with insulating blankets to help keep the engine room cool.
Power from the Cummins engine is routed through a Twin Disc gearbox with a 6:1 ratio. Further reduction is accomplished with an 'intermediate chain' shown in the left housing. This is a 'double 240' chain.
Main electrical power is supplied by a 65 kw, John Deere generator.
While in port, or when less than full power is required, a very quiet, 12 1/2 kw Onan auxiliary generator is used.
Control of both generators and 'shore power' is via several 'switching panels' also located in the engine room.
All captains know that, when traveling for extended periods, the First Mate requires certain 'amenities'. THEREFORE,
Bill consented to installing a washer/dryer combination for Mary in 'his' engine room.
Also, a second amenity that is required is a kitchen.
Could a 'cook' find anything else to be desired in this kitchen? I think not! Remember, 'galleys' are on 'blue water' boats; riverboats have kitchens.
Of course, captain and crew need a place to eat.
This dinning room will, probably, suffice.
Long hours on the river will, eventually, tire a person and they'll need a place to 'kick back' and relax, so, a living room was included.
Perhaps not everyone could relax here, especially, if they were still wearing their 'Carharts' and work boots. However, most of us could, probably, force ourselves to relax and converse in this warm and comfortable environment.
A quick nap on the couch is probably out when you have a ceiling as beautiful as this to look at. Yes, it's embossed metal installed between black walnut beams which radiate out like the spokes of a wheel.
Of course, you have to get for one level to another.
White oak stairs flanked by embossed metal panels on the left and an open railing to the right lead to the second deck and the pilothouse.
Captain Steve, Bill and Mary's son, has a room suitable to 'catch up on his sleep' after a hard day of running the boat. The bed is full size and all the woodwork is solid cherry.
Of course, Captain Bill and First Mate Mary need a place to sleep after enduring the 'rigors of traveling' on the river. You might have guessed that Mary had a hand in designing and decorating this room. Yes, the bedroom suite is 'wicker'.
The ceiling of the 'Captains Suite' is finished in embossed white metal panels making it blend well with the rest of the blue and white decor.
There are times, even on the river, when 'nature calls'.
On most boats, this room is called the 'Head'. However, in this case, it really should be called a Bathroom or, perhaps even, a 'Powder Room'.
There has to be a place to control a vessel.
No, this is not the bridge of the Queen Elizabeth II. It's the pilothouse of the Lauren Elizabeth. Now, don't let the beautiful wooden spoke pilot wheel mis-lead you. The real steering is done with a 'joystick'. All of the woodwork is Black Walnut; designed by Captain Steve and built by Wayne Paterson. Certainly, nothing is left out of this most beautiful control room.
And, if you look up,
you'll see another startling beautiful, embossed metal ceiling in Black Walnut frames.
Well, there you have it; a tour of the Sternwheel Riverboat 'Lauren Elizabeth'. I have toured this beautiful boat several times; from it's early days of construction through to the finished project. Even as beautiful as these pictures depict it, they really do not do it justice. I believe the Lauren Elizabeth is one of the most, if not the most, beautiful paddlewheel boats, of towboat style, on the western rivers system. Everything about this vessel is strictly first class; it's design, layout, fabrication, finish work and, even, it's performance. Anyone who has a chance to tour this boat first hand should take the opportunity to do so.
The American Sternwheel Association would like to thank Bill, Mary and Steve for letting the world have this opportunity to tour their vessel.