Dixie Queen Back In Service
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NORTH WEBSTER - She's back and as good as new.
Dan Thystrup, owner of the Dixie Queen, said, "The Dixie is up and running again. Everything's checked out fine. We tested her (Sunday)."
Sometime overnight Thursday, the Dixie Queen, 405 S. Dixie, North Webster, began sinking into Webster Lake.
When Pat O'Connell opened the Lakeview Restaurant Friday morning, he noticed the boat "halfway in the water." He said when he left Thursday at 4 p.m., there was nothing wrong.
O'Connell and others notified Thystrup Friday morning that it was underwater.
Thystrup said they raised the Dixie Queen Friday. On Saturday, they checked and cleaned the diesel motor. Sunday, they checked the motor and all wire connections and cleaned them.
"We don't know for sure (why it sunk)," he said, "because it's not leaking whatsoever now."
He said he was surprised it sank because it never happened before and he didn't want to take a guess on why it did.
The Dixie Queen is 71 years old. Last winter, Thystrup said they sandblasted the hull, did some minor repairs and some heavy-duty painting.
"She's in very good shape," he said.
The ship offers 45 to 55 minute tours around Webster Lake. On board, they sell snacks and souvenirs. During the tour, the captain of the ship tells the story of Webster Lake and the Dixie.
Thystrup said they have weddings, reunions and birthday parties on the ship.
They'll open for the 2001 season "about the first of May," he said. [[In-content Ad]]
NORTH WEBSTER - She's back and as good as new.
Dan Thystrup, owner of the Dixie Queen, said, "The Dixie is up and running again. Everything's checked out fine. We tested her (Sunday)."
Sometime overnight Thursday, the Dixie Queen, 405 S. Dixie, North Webster, began sinking into Webster Lake.
When Pat O'Connell opened the Lakeview Restaurant Friday morning, he noticed the boat "halfway in the water." He said when he left Thursday at 4 p.m., there was nothing wrong.
O'Connell and others notified Thystrup Friday morning that it was underwater.
Thystrup said they raised the Dixie Queen Friday. On Saturday, they checked and cleaned the diesel motor. Sunday, they checked the motor and all wire connections and cleaned them.
"We don't know for sure (why it sunk)," he said, "because it's not leaking whatsoever now."
He said he was surprised it sank because it never happened before and he didn't want to take a guess on why it did.
The Dixie Queen is 71 years old. Last winter, Thystrup said they sandblasted the hull, did some minor repairs and some heavy-duty painting.
"She's in very good shape," he said.
The ship offers 45 to 55 minute tours around Webster Lake. On board, they sell snacks and souvenirs. During the tour, the captain of the ship tells the story of Webster Lake and the Dixie.
Thystrup said they have weddings, reunions and birthday parties on the ship.
They'll open for the 2001 season "about the first of May," he said. [[In-content Ad]]