In 2011, one of the most iconic boats in film history, the African Queen, was dry-docked in Key Largo Florida. The vessel was made famous in the 1951 movie of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. Sadly, it was slowly falling apart as it approached its 100th birthday.
In December 2011, Captain Lance Holmquist and his wife, Suzanne Holmquist, signed a lease with The African Queen Trust to restore and operate the vessel again. The Holmquists have overseen repairs and have taken pains to date the steamboat as it appeared in the film, replacing steel in the hull, replacing the boiler, and oiling the black African mahogany to condition the wood.
Now, the African Queen sails again. The famous steamboat, which helped bring Humphrey Bogart an Academy Award, is available for daily canal cruises and dinner cruises in the Port Largo Canal area, and also for private events.
The African Queen was built in Lytham, England, in 1912 for service in Africa for the East Africa British Railways company. She was used to shuttle 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 she starred in the famous movie directed by John Huston. Afterwards she remained in service in Africa until 1968 when she was brought to the United States working in San Francisco, Oregan and Florida. She has been the pride and joy of Key Largo since 1982, where she is registered as a National Historic site and in 2012 celebrated her centennial year.
Find out more at www.africanqueenflkeys.com.