General Jackson (riverboat) facts for kids
General Jackson preparing for Tall Stacks in Cincinnati, OH (2006)
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Namesake | Previous river boat General Jackson |
| Operator | Gaylord Entertainment Company |
| Route | Cumberland River |
| Builder | Jeffboat, Jeffersonville, Indiana |
| Launched | 20 April 1985 |
| Christened | 2 July 1985 |
| Identification |
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| General characteristics | |
| Type | Showboat |
| Tonnage | 1,489 DWT |
| Length |
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| Beam | 63 ft 6 in (19.35 m) |
| Height | 77 ft (23 m) to top of stacks |
| Draft | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Installed power | 2 × Caterpillar 3512 diesel engines |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 13 miles per hour (21 km/h; 11 kn) |
| Capacity | 1200 passengers |
| Crew | 157 |
The General Jackson is a special kind of riverboat called a showboat. It sails on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee. This boat is famous for its fun shows and dining experiences.
The General Jackson was named after an older riverboat from 1817. That first boat was named after Andrew Jackson, a famous American leader. The modern General Jackson first opened as an attraction at the Opryland USA theme park. Even though the park closed in 1997, the boat is still sailing today! It docks near the Opry Mills shopping center, which is where the theme park used to be. It's also close to the Grand Ole Opry House and the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The first captains of the General Jackson were Captain E.A. Poe and Captain William Howell.
How the General Jackson Was Built
The General Jackson was built by a company called Jeffboat in Jeffersonville, Indiana. It was launched in 1985. This boat looks like old-fashioned steam-powered riverboats. But it actually uses modern diesel generators. These generators power two 600-horsepower electric motors. These motors then turn a huge paddlewheel at the back of the boat.
Boat Size and Capacity
The paddlewheel is 24 feet (about 7.3 meters) wide and weighs 36 tons! The General Jackson is 274 feet (about 83.5 meters) long. With its gangway (the ramp for people to get on and off) extended, it's 300 feet (about 91.4 meters) long. The boat is 63 feet 6 inches (about 19.3 meters) wide. It stands 77 feet (about 23.5 meters) tall to the top of its smokestacks. These smokestacks can even fold down! This is important for fitting under low bridges. The boat needs about 7 feet (about 2.1 meters) of water to float. It can carry up to 1,200 passengers and has a crew of 157 people.
Shows and Entertainment
The General Jackson was designed to bring back the fun of 19th-century showboats. These boats used to travel on American rivers, putting on shows for people. Today, the General Jackson offers different shows from March to December. It usually takes two cruises each day. Evening cruises often include dinner along with the show. Most shows feature country music, which the Opry is famous for. But you can also find variety musicals and gospel music performances.
Sometimes, the General Jackson travels away from its home in Nashville. For example, in October 2006, it went to Cincinnati, Ohio. There, it took part in the Tall Stacks festival. This festival celebrates riverboat history.
