Steamboat Company Set to Ride the Waves of Lake Nasworthy

The steamboat has arrived in San Angelo and will be for hire by September on Lake Nasworthy said Mack Fox, proprietor, The Tule Princess Steamboat Company.

The Tule Princess is the last and only large scale, operational “Walking Beam” steam engine-powered, side-wheel paddle steamboat in the world. It arrived in San Angelo from Bay City, Michigan last week.  It traveled here, starting July 15, overland on a 53' trailer behind a truck.

Fox said that the steamboat will soon offer regularly scheduled tours of Lake Nasworthy and the Concho River. The steamboat will also be available for private charters for small groups.

The San Angelo City Council approved renting a small section  of shoreline on Lake Nasworthy area near The Nature Center earlier this year to where the Princess’ dock is being built. Council approved the lease under the caveat that the company or boat not contain the word “Concho” in the legal name. Council’s intention was to avoid confusion with neighboring lessee Concho Cruises, a houseboat for hire.

After obtaining a lease from the City of San Angelo for dock space, Fox entered the agreement for her purchase on June 26th.  Along with Mr. Fox, the vessel was toured and sea trialed near Saginaw, Michigan with her future Chief Engineer, Anthony P. Edmund. The sea trial took the Princess down the Saginaw River near its entrance to Lake Huron.  Fox reported that the vessel had been well maintained by her former owner, Captain Ed Morris of Bay City, Michigan for the last 17 years.

Since her arrival in San Angelo, The Tule Princess has been undergoing minor alterations in a dry dock to make her better suited for her new life on Lake Nasworthy.  After the vessel and crew are evaluated and certified by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, she will be begin regularly scheduled operations on the lake on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the remainder of the Fall and early Winter.

Fox said that the Princess's main mission is environmental and historical awareness tours focusing on the Concho River and the lake. The tours will educate passengers on the river’s significance to the region and the ongoing importance of water conservation.  She will also show the young and the young at heart the beauty that is Lake Nasworthy. 

Fox said that the first Princess rides and charters will be inaugurated the first weekend of September, depending upon the progress of the minor renovations to the boat and built-out of the shoreline dock.

The Tule Princess would certainly like to be able to attend the Drag Boat Races on Sept. 12-14, if only at a safe distance, Fox said.

Mr. Fox does not intend to do any "drag racing" with the Princess. He said the steamboat’s top speed is just about 6 mph.  “She'll leave that fast boating to the much younger boats and braver drivers,” Fox said.

The Tule Princess is pre-booking for private charters and what Fox describes as “premium” private charters with prior arrangements made through her Operations Manager, Debra Edmund, at www.tuleprincess.com or by emailing [email protected].