Mississippi Paddleboat Cruises

The Pearl Button Paddlewheel Riverboat sets the perfect stage for private events such as weddings, receptions, meetings, parties, reunions, etc.  The possibilities are endless!  To book your event, call The Pearl Button Paddlewheel office at (563) 263-5057.

 PLANNING A FUND RAISER? CALL US!

 Cruises sail at the captain's discretion, weather and river conditions permitting.

Our History

Constructed by Captain Virgil Gray in 1985 and christened the "Four Cs" for
his daughters Colleen, Cheryl, Claudia, and Christine, the boat is 61 feet
long and 24 feet wide and is a sidewheeler. It is constructed of steel and
is powered by 2 diesel engines that operate the paddlewheels mounted on each side.

A pilot wheel controls the steering rudders; Captain Gray liked the feel of
mechanical rudders rather than hydraulic steering. The boat was eventually
sold to Stillwater, MN where it was operated as The Andiamo. Tom and Ann
Meeker purchased it in 2008, moved it to Muscatine, Iowa and operate it as
The Pearl Button Paddlewheel. It is the only authentic sidewheeler currently in operation in the entire United States.

When the Coast Guard commissioned it in 1985, it was the first sidewheeler
that had been commissioned in 100 years.