The African Queen: A Unique Steam Launch

The African Queen was a steam boat built in 1912 in Lytham, England. It was originally named the Livingstone and served as a cargo vessel for the British East Africa Rail Company. The boat was used to ferry cargo, missionaries, and hunting parties across the Victoria Nile and Lake Albert, which was located on the border between the Belgian Congo and Uganda. In 1951, the boat starred in the famous movie The African Queen directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. The boat was renamed after its starring role in the film.

The African Queen was originally named the Livingstone

The African Queen, a 100-year-old steam boat, was originally named the Livingstone. Built in 1912 at Lytham Shipbuilding Yard in England, the vessel served as a cargo ship for the British East Africa Rail Company. The Livingstone was used to transport a mixture of hunters, mercenaries, cargo, and missionaries.

The Livingstone spent most of its first 50 years operating in the waters of the Ruki River in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo. In 1950, director John Huston spotted the ship and decided it would be the perfect vessel for his upcoming film, "The African Queen." The boat was temporarily pulled from service and renamed after its starring role in the film.

The African Queen was built in a narrow way to navigate the Victoria Nile and Lake Albert, located on the border of the Belgian Congo and Uganda. The boat's unique appearance, with its riveted steel body and vertical boiler, made it an iconic profile on screen.

After appearing in the 1951 film, the boat was returned to service in Africa until 1968 when it was purchased by a restaurant owner and brought to the United States. Since then, it has changed hands several times and undergone restoration, eventually finding its home in Key Largo, Florida, where it offers cruises to visitors.

The boat was built in Lytham, England in 1912

The African Queen, a steam boat famed for its role in the 1951 movie of the same name, was built in Lytham, England in 1912. Originally named the Livingstone, the vessel was built at the Lytham Shipbuilding Yard, or Lytham Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., depending on the source. The boat was built for the British East Africa Rail Company, or the East African Railway, to be used for service in Africa.

The African Queen was built to be narrow enough to navigate the Victoria Nile and Lake Albert, which is located on the border of the Belgian Congo and Uganda. The boat was used to carry mercenaries, missionaries, cargo, and hunting parties on their voyages.

In 1951, the director of the film "The African Queen", John Huston, spotted the vessel and decided to use it in his movie. The boat was renamed after its starring role.

After the movie, the African Queen continued to be used in Africa until 1968, when it was purchased by a restaurant owner and brought to the US. It has since been sold and moved several times, eventually ending up in Key Largo, Florida, where it has been lovingly restored and is now available for cruises.

It was used to carry cargo, missionaries and hunters in Africa

The African Queen was originally named the Livingstone or the L.S. Livingston. Built in 1912 at Lytham Shipbuilding Yard in England, the vessel was used by the British East Africa Rail Company to carry cargo, missionaries, and hunters in Africa. More specifically, the boat was used to ferry these passengers and cargo across the Victoria Nile and Lake Albert, which was located on the border between the Belgian Congo and Uganda. The African Queen was built to be narrow so that it could navigate the Nile.

The boat spent most of its first 50 years operating in the waters of the Ruki River in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo. During this time, it was used to transport a mixture of hunters, mercenaries, and cargo.

In 1951, the director John Huston spotted the vessel while on a hunting trip and decided to use it in his upcoming film, "The African Queen." The boat was temporarily pulled from service and renamed after its starring role. After the film's release, the African Queen returned to its regular service in Africa.

In 1968, the vessel was purchased by a restaurant owner in San Francisco and brought to the United States for charter operations. Since then, it has changed hands several times and has been used for various purposes, including tour boats and chartered cruises. Despite its varied history, the African Queen remains a timeless classic, famous for its starring role in the 1951 film of the same name.

The boat was discovered half-sunk in Cairo, Egypt in 1968

The African Queen was a 1906 British-built steam launch, measuring 28 feet in length with a beam of 7 feet. Originally named the S/L Livingston, she was purchased and renamed by a Belgian company that operated in the Congo area. The boat was eventually sold again and ended up in Florida, where she was discovered in 1982.

The boat's claim to fame came from its starring role in the 1951 film 'The African Queen', starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. The film was based on a novel of the same name by C.S. Forester, and the boat's unique appearance and story played a pivotal role in the movie's success.

The African Queen's journey, however, began long before she was immortalised on screen. In 1968, she was discovered half-sunk in Cairo, Egypt. It is speculated that she had been operating on the Nile River, possibly still bearing her original name, S/L Livingston, at the time. How she ended up in such a state remains a mystery, but it is believed that she may have been abandoned or sunk due to mechanical issues or damage.

The discovery of the boat in Cairo was a significant event. By then, she had already become an iconic symbol due to her starring role in the classic movie. Her distinctive appearance, with a raised pilothouse and a funnel bearing the name 'African Queen', made her easy to identify, even in her half-sunken state.

Despite being found, the African Queen's journey still had many twists and turns ahead. After her discovery in Cairo, she changed hands several times and underwent various restorations and exhibitions before finally finding her permanent home in the United States. Today, the boat is a beloved piece of cinematic history, attracting fans and enthusiasts who remember her pivotal role in the 1951 film.

The African Queen was purchased by a Humphrey Bogart fan in 1982

The African Queen is a 100-year-old steam boat that starred in the 1951 movie of the same name. The film starred Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn and brought Bogart his only Oscar. In 1982, the boat was purchased by Florida attorney and Humphrey Bogart enthusiast, Jim Hendricks Sr. Hendricks Sr. owned the boat until his death in 2001. During this time, he took the African Queen around the world, including to the English Channel for the 50th anniversary of the battle of Dunkirk and to the River Thames for the Queen Mother's 90th birthday.

After Hendricks Sr.'s death, the vessel fell into disrepair and was left to gather rust in a Florida marina. In 2012, it was discovered by Suzanne Holmquist and her engineer husband, Lance, who set about restoring it. The restoration process included installing a new steel hull and boiler, as well as repainting the original black African mahogany wood decks. The ship has since been opened up to tourists and film enthusiasts, providing cruises around the Florida Keys.

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