Our History

The Southern Empress, an authentic replica of an 1800s era sternwheeler riverboat, was constructed in 1983 in Moss Point, Mississippi by James J. Walker Shipyards. After Coast Guard certification, it was cut into sections and transported to Lake Conroe via 27 semi-truck loads. There the ship was reassembled, launched, and the finish work completed, all of which required six months.

The Southern Empress' design and construction as a riverboat provides it with a fore-and-aft sheer and camber of the decks and super structure. The fore-and-aft sheer allowed riverboats to easily back off any unexpected sandbars they encountered in their trips up and down America's large navigable river systems.

Decks of the Southern Empress

Main Deck - The Main Deck's Empress Room serves as the ship's primary dining room, wedding chapel, or casino. The rich, elegant Victorian era decor, with its beautiful floral carpet, beveled glass doors, wooden oak bar with brass rails, solid oak woodwork, and chandeliers sets the ambiance for every event. The Empress Room is fully enclosed and climate controlled.

Second Deck - The Second Deck's Magnolia Room with it's dance floor, authentic embossed tin ceiling, beautiful oak bar and bandstand is the Southern Empress's entertainment center. The room is fully enclosed and climate controlled.

Third Deck - The Third Deck is a split-level open deck. These two levels in the era of riverboats were designated the Hurricane Deck and the Texas Deck, but have nothing to do with storms or the state. The Texas Deck is surrounded by the Hurricane Deck and is a couple of feet higher, making it the favorite level for observing the lake, its surrounding forests, magnificent sunsets, or fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Perched on the forward portion of the Texas Deck is the Pilot House, with its six foot diameter wooden ship's wheel. From this vantage point the Captain controls the Southern Empress while it is underway. Four TV cameras and monitors provide the Captain with important visual information while docking or cruising and other operational areas of the vessel.

Southern Empress Facts

Length:	131 Feet
Height:	57 Feet (Waterline to top of Stacks)
Width:	40 Feet
Decks:	3
Structure:	All steel with solid wood overlay
Engines:	Two 318 horsepower Detroit V8-71N diesel engines
Paddlewheels:	Two 18-foot paddlewheels move and maneuver the Southern Empress. The paddles operate independently, are fully reversible and are controlled by two specially designed hydraulic motors mounted on the hubs.
Generators:	Electric power is provided by (2) 40-kilowatt electric generators driven by the diesel engines.
Fuel:	3500 Gallon Fuel Tank
Portable Water:	2800 Gallon Tank
Wastewater:	4000 Gallon Holding Tank