Showboat Branson Belle facts for kids
Showboat Branson Belle on Table Rock Lake in 2012
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Owner | Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation |
| Launched | August 12, 1994 |
| Christened | April 13, 1995 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Riverboat/showboat |
| Tonnage | 1250 tons |
| Length | 278 ft (85 m) |
| Beam | 78 ft (24 m) |
| Height | 112 ft (34 m) (to top of stacks) |
| Draught | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Installed power | 2 Detroit Diesel 16V92 (original) 3 Caterpillar C32 (repower) |
| Propulsion | 2 twin electric driven rear paddle wheels, 16 ft (4.9 m) wide, 24 ft (7.3 m) in diameter |
| Speed | 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) |
| Capacity | 700 passengers |
Showboat Branson Belle is a riverboat—more specifically, a showboat—on 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.
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 at a speed of 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) on launching rails lubricated with two tons of bananas. The bananas were used for lubrication because they were biodegradable and would not have polluted Table Rock Lake as would have grease. The boat is claimed by its owner to be the largest ship on a landlocked lake in the United States.
Images for kids
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The Showboat Branson Belle, aground at Poverty Point, Table Rock Lake, December 12, 2010
