NEW ST. LOUIS RIVERBOAT PASSES CAPE

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A riverboat, destined to be the first new riverboat on the St. Louis waterfront in 50 years, passed Cape Girardeau Thursday morning en route to its new home near the Gateway Arch.

The $10 million, 322-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, riverboat Belle of St. Louis was to arrive in St. Louis at 10 a.m. today, according to Patrick Kaiser, president of Gateway Riverboat Cruises Inc. of St. Louis, owner of the boat.

The Belle replaces the President riverboat, which is now a floating casino at Davenport, Iowa.

After its christening in front of the Gateway Arch at noon April 26, Kaiser said, the Belle will begin service as a day- and night-cruise vessel. Its maiden voyage is scheduled for April 28.

Kaiser said the Belle left Jennings, La., nine days ago. It was launched in February at the Leevac Shipyard in Jennings, located on the intercoastal waterway between New Orleans and Lafayette. Construction of the boat began about one year ago.

"We had to bring her up the intercoastal waterway to Baton Rouge to enter the Mississippi River because the boat wouldn't fit through the Harvey Locks at New Orleans," Kaiser said. "We removed the smoke stacks at Jennings so the Belle could pass under the bridges on the waterway. We put them back on at Greenville, Miss."

Kaiser said the Belle is Coast Guard certified, with an all-steel hull and superstructure. The boat is powered by two 775-horsepower Caterpillar engines. With a full load, Kaiser said, the 1,550-horsepower boat can travel 8-9 mph, depending on river conditions.

The Belle is 55 feet high from the waterline to the top of the pilot house. It has three decks the main deck, mezzanine deck and the Captain's Club deck, below the pilot house.

The boat will seat up to 1,200 people on dinner cruises between St. Louis and the Mel Price Lock and Dam 26 near Alton, Ill.

Kaiser said there will be shorter, scenic day cruises on the Mississippi River Tuesday through Sunday, and evening cruises Wednesday through Sunday, with white-glove buffet service and popular bands on board for dancing.

On Saturdays, the Belle will sail at 11 p.m. on cruises featuring rock bands from St. Louis.

Kaiser said the Belle is the first new riverboat on the St. Louis waterfront in 50 years. "We're really proud of her and awaiting her arrival," he said. "She'll be the newest and biggest boat in our fleet."

Gateway owns and operates 16 riverboats around the country, including the President, now based at Davenport.

In St. Louis, the firm operates the Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Becky Thatcher, and the Robert E. Lee showboat. The firm also owns the Admiral, which may be converted into a casino if Missouri lawmakers pass enabling legislation.

In Pittsburgh, Gateway operates the riverboat Majestic, a cruise boat that carries 1,000 passengers.

Kaiser said 1990 was a record year in terms of the number of bus-tour and travel bookings for their riverboats.

"1990 was the best year in the 107-year history of our company," he said. "And right now, our bus-tour and travel business is already running 32 percent ahead of last year. When the Belle arrives, the people here are going to go bananas."

Kaiser said the President is also becoming a popular attraction. "We're sold out through August for the President's weekend cruises, and now we're starting to sell out for the weekday cruises," he reported.

Additional information about cruises on the Belle of St. Louis and the other Gateway riverboats can be obtained by writing to Gateway Riverboat Cruises, 500 North Sullivan Blvd., St. Louis, Mo., 63102.