mark twain riverboat que es

Mark Twain Riverboat

The Mark Twain Riverboat goes on a gentle cruise around Tom Sawyer Island. That's the same route that the Sailing Ship Columbia and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes take, and I'd suggest choosing only one of these three attractions. You don't need to see that same scenery three times.

What You Need to Know About the Mark Twain Riverboat

TripSavvy / Betsy Malloy Photography

We polled 131 of our readers to find out what they think about the riverboat. 74% of them said It's a must-do or ride it if you have time, making it one of the lower-rated things to do at Disneyland.

• Location:  Mark Twain Riverboat is in Frontierland
• Rating:  ★
• Restrictions:   No height restrictions. Children under age seven years must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older.
• Ride Time:   12 minutes
• Recommended for:   Everyone
• Fun Factor:  Low
• Wait Factor:  Low    
• Fear Factor:  Low
• Herky-Jerky Factor:  Low
• Nausea Factor:  Low
• Seating:   You just get on and ride, and you can move around while it's going
• Accessibility:   This ride is fully accessible, and you can stay in your wheelchair or ECV for the whole thing, but you'll only get onto the lower level. Go to the access gate on the right side of the turnstile or enter through the attraction exit and ask a Cast Member for help.  More about visiting Disneyland in a wheelchair or ECV

How to Have More Fun on the Mark Twain Riverboat

• If you want to  rest your feet , head for the seats in the front as soon as you get on.
• This ride  closes before dark
• Watch the kids.  They may be tempted to climb on the railings and could fall off.
• If you ask a cast member, the  pilot might let you ride inside with him . This is limited to just a couple of people per trip.

Next Disneyland Ride: Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes

More about disneyland rides.

You can  see all the Disneyland rides at a glance on the Disneyland Ride Sheet . If you want to browse through them starting with the best-rated,  start with the Haunted Mansion  and follow the navigation.

While you're thinking about rides, you should also  download Our Recommended Disneyland Apps (they're all free!)  and  Get Some Proven Tips to Minimize Your Disneyland Wait Time .

Fun Facts About Mark Twain Riverboat

Built in 1955, this was the first paddle wheeler built since shortly after 1900. It was built at the Disney Studios, except for the hull which was constructed at a shipyard in San Pedro. But don't let that fool you. It's a working reproduction of the historic vessels that ferried people up and down the mighty Mississippi, with a working steam engine that powers the large paddle, which in turn propels the boat.

The Mark Twain made its first voyage four days before Disneyland opened to the public, for Walt and Lillian Disney's 30th wedding anniversary. 

The Mark Twain was christened by actress   Irene Dunne who starred in the 1936 movie "Showboat" on Disneyland's Opening Day.

The boat is 28 feet tall and 105 feet long, with four decks.

The writer Mark Twain was a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi river when he was younger, and one of Walt Disney's personal heroes, which is why Walt named the boat after him.

A riverboat ride was in the plans from the earliest days, when Walt Disney started the first plans for building an amusement park near Walt Disney Studios in Burbank.

Every Disney theme park throughout the world has their own version of the Mark Twain riverboat. 

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Mark Twain Riverboat

• Water Rides

Steam into the Past

Board an old-fashioned steam-powered vessel for a half-mile journey into the heart of the American frontier. 

During the charming, 14-minute trip around Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island , spot delightful sights along the river’s edge, including: 

• The north bank of the Columbia Gorge, complete with a beautiful waterfront and 5 sparkling waterfalls 
• A rustic frontier cabin 
• An idyllic Native American village 
• A busy beaver at work chewing on the train trestle 
• Mountain lions relaxing in the sun 
• The Disneyland Railroad steaming into the wilderness 

Along the way, hear lively narration about a time gone by.

Along the Mississippi

The Mark Twain is an authentic reproduction of the historic vessels that ferried people up and down the mighty Mississippi River. A working steam engine converts the water from the Rivers of America into steam that in turn powers the large paddle that propels the boat. 

Featuring meticulously detailed wood craftsmanship, the 28-foot tall, 105-foot-long riverboat is comprised of 4 pristine decks: 

• Pilothouse , also known as the top deck, features the wheelhouse and Captain’s Quarters 
• Promenade Deck includes a salon and a collection of vintage photos and maps 
• Texas (or Sun) Deck is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors as you float down the river 
• Main Deck includes the boiler and pistons that run the paddlewheel 

Limited seating is available.

A Tribute to America’s Writer

Walt Disney named the Mark Twain after the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens. The famed author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn —and Walt’s personal hero—Clemens was also a riverboat pilot as a young man. 

That experience inspired his pen name: “mark twain” is a boating term that means a vessel is at a safe depth.

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Mark Twain Riverboat

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Mark Twain Riverboat

Steam into the past.

Cruise the Rivers of America aboard a 19th-century paddle boat.

Our Overview

The Mark Twain Riverboat vessel is a reproduction of the historic ferries once used on the Mississippi River. Once you’re cruising down the Disney-created river, you’ll feel like you’re taking a trip back to the past. If you’re looking to unwind and enjoy scenic views, the Mark Twain Riverboat is an experience you should consider.

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Mark Twain Riverboat

Disneyland Resort

One of Disneyland's original rides from 1955, the Mississippi River–style paddle-wheeler Mark Twain Riverboat offers a relaxing cruise on the Rivers of America.

Frontierland

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https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/mark-twain-riverboat

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Mark Twain Riverboat

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El Mark Twain viaja por la isla de Tom Sawyer , contemplando las vistas de un pueblo de nativos americanos y una variedad de vida silvestre, traída a la vida por los Imagineros de Disney. El barco fluvial pesa 150 toneladas y está diseñado para transportar 300 pasajeros.

• 2 La atracción
• 3 Curiosidades
• 4 Páginas similares

Historia [ ]

Se incluyó un barco de vapor de Mississippi en los planes para el primer parque de diversiones de Disney que se construiría al otro lado de la calle de sus Walt Disney Studios en Burbank, California. Aunque este parque fue abandonado en favor de Disneyland, mucho más grande, se mantuvo el plan de tener una atracción fluvial.

Debido a que Mark Twain fue el primer barco de paletas funcional construido en los Estados Unidos en cincuenta años, los diseñadores de WED realizaron una extensa investigación para construirlo como se construyeron los barcos fluviales en el apogeo de los barcos a vapor. Las cubiertas se ensamblaron en Disney Studios en Burbank, mientras que el casco de 105 pies se construyó en Todd Shipyards, Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, California (donde se construyeron partes de Columbia años después).

Joe Fowler, supervisor de construcción de Disneyland y ex almirante de la marina, insistió en crear un dique seco para el barco a lo largo de lo que sería el Río de América. Walt Disney, consternado por la cantidad de tierra ocupada por la excavación masiva, se refirió al dique seco primero como "Joe's Ditch", y luego, "Fowler's Harbor", el nombre con el que se conoce hoy. Sin embargo, Disney siguió siendo un partidario del propio barco fluvial, financiando su construcción de su propio bolsillo cuando los fondos corporativos se quedaron cortos. En el primer día de "llenado del río", el agua que se bombeó a Rivers of America empapó el lecho del río. Fowler encontró rápidamente un suministro de arcilla para reemplazar el estabilizador de suelo utilizado para revestir el río, y el segundo día de "llenar el río" fue un éxito.

Mark Twain realizó su viaje inaugural el 13 de julio de 1955, cuatro días antes de que el parque abriera oficialmente, para una fiesta privada que celebraba el 30 aniversario de bodas de Walt y Lillian Disney. Antes de la fiesta, mientras Fowler verificaba que todo estuviera listo para los 300 invitados, encontró a Lillian barriendo los escombros y se unió para ayudarla.

El día de la inauguración de Disneyland trajo más problemas para Mark Twain. La actriz Irene Dunne, estrella de la película Showboat, tuvo problemas para romper una botella de agua (de muchos de los principales ríos estadounidenses) a través de la proa del barco para su bautizo en Dateline Disney. Durante el primer viaje oficial del barco fluvial, cuando la multitud se movía a un lado del barco para ver una escena que pasaba de un campamento indio u otra vista, el barco se inclinaba desde el costado y el agua se derramaba sobre la cubierta, ya que nadie había determinado Mark Capacidad máxima segura de pasajeros de Twain.

Este descuido hizo que Mark Twain casi zozobrara en un viaje unos días después, cuando los operadores del viaje continuaron saludando a más de 500 invitados a bordo hasta que la cubierta se acercó a la línea de flotación. A medida que el barco atravesaba la ruta del río con escasa vegetación, se soltó de la vía y quedó atascado en las orillas fangosas. De inmediato, el parque estableció una capacidad máxima de 300 pasajeros, la cual se mantiene vigente hasta el día de hoy.

Después de un comienzo difícil, Mark Twain ha tenido una exitosa carrera de 67 años como atracción de un parque temático. Durante sus primeros años de operación, los pasajeros podían comprar un julepe de menta sin alcohol a bordo o escuchar a los jugadores de cartas y damas recrear el diálogo de esa época. Ocasionalmente, la banda de Disneyland tocaba música en la proa de la cubierta inferior para entretener tanto a los pasajeros como a los visitantes del parque temático en las orillas del río.

Mark Twain se sometió a una importante remodelación durante la primavera de 1995, durante la cual se reemplazaron todas las cubiertas y la caldera. El 24 de septiembre de 1995 vio la primera y única boda de Disney Fantasyland, hasta el día de hoy, que se llevará a cabo en una atracción, con ropa temática. Kevin y Patricia Sullivan, una pareja local del condado de Orange, intercambiaron votos en la proa del barco mientras navegaba por los ríos de América. El padre del novio, Ed Sullivan, un veterano de 50 años en Disney, se puso el clásico disfraz de Mark Twain para la ceremonia única en la vida. La pareja selló sus votos juntando el silbato de vapor del barco. Desde lo alto de la cubierta superior, la pareja soltó cuerdas, desplegando un cartel del tamaño de un barco RECIÉN CASADOS en la popa.

Cuando se drenó Rivers of America en 2002, se observó que el barco tenía daños considerables en el casco. Se sometió a una remodelación en 2004 para reparar el casco, que incluyó el reemplazo de la quilla. Para la celebración del 50.º aniversario del parque en 2005, se aplicó una pintura nueva y más colorida al duradero barco fluvial.

El 11 de enero de 2016, el Mark Twain Riverboat, junto con otras atracciones y espectáculos a lo largo de Rivers of America, cerraría temporalmente para la construcción de un terreno con el tema de Star Wars. Estas atracciones reabrieron el 29 de julio de 2017.

La atracción [ ]

Los pasajeros esperan el barco fluvial alto y largo de 150 toneladas, que sale cada 25 minutos, dentro de un área protegida ubicada en la sección Frontierland del parque. El área de espera está diseñada para parecerse a un área real de carga de un barco fluvial, con entregas de carga compartiendo espacio en el muelle. Las banderas históricas de los Estados Unidos se exhiben en la entrada de la atracción.

Al abordar Mark Twain, los pasajeros pueden moverse libremente por sus tres niveles. La proa de la cubierta inferior tiene sillas. La cubierta superior proporciona un punto de vista para ver puntos de referencia durante todo el viaje, también hay un par de bancos en este nivel, algunos en el interior y otros en el exterior.

La timonera, donde está estacionado el piloto del Mark Twain, también se encuentra en la cubierta superior. El nivel inferior de la caseta del timón cuenta con un área para dormir y un fregadero para mantener la ilusión de que se trata de la vivienda del capitán. A discreción del piloto, se puede dar permiso a un pequeño número de pasajeros para viajar en la timonera durante el viaje, después de lo cual se les entregan certificados de piloto de recuerdo.

El piloto señala la salida y la llegada de Mark Twain mediante un sistema de silbato y campana, junto con varias señales a otras atracciones de embarcaciones. Debido a que el barco fluvial viaja a lo largo de un riel guía de vigas en I durante todo el viaje, el piloto no maniobra el barco. En su lugar, el piloto sirve como observador de otro tráfico fluvial, como Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes y Rafts to Pirate's Lair en Tom Sawyer Island , y comunica sus observaciones con el ingeniero de calderas. El ingeniero de calderas está estacionado en la cubierta inferior hacia la popa. Aquí es donde se encuentran el acelerador y el inversor. Desde aquí, el ingeniero de calderas controla la velocidad y la dirección del barco fluvial. El vapor de la caldera se usa para accionar las ruedas de paletas y, por lo tanto, empuja la embarcación a lo largo de su guía.

El viaje por los ríos de América alrededor de la isla de Tom Sawyer presenta una narración pregrabada de un guía de un barco fluvial con la voz de Thurl Ravenscroft , Mark Twain ( Peter Renaday ), quien habla de sus días pilotando un barco fluvial, y del (no presente) "capitán " del barco, con la voz del actor de voz de Disney Stephen Stanton . La reproducción de la narración, operada por el piloto a través de un panel de control en la cabina del piloto.

La mayoría de los días, Mark Twain comienza a operar tan pronto como abre el parque. En los días en que Fantasmic! se está representando, el barco fluvial, que juega un papel en el espectáculo, cerrará un par de horas antes de la hora del espectáculo. En otras noches, Mark Twain correrá durante toda la noche, utilizando un reflector de techo de alta intensidad para señalar las vistas, y el viaje final comenzará unos treinta minutos antes del cierre del parque. Un letrero en el área de carga indicará el último viaje del día.

Curiosidades [ ]

• La extravagante estrella Irene Dunne bautizó al Mark Twain en julio de 1955.

Páginas similares [ ]

• Sailing Ship Columbia

Plantilla:Disneyland Park Plantilla:Frontierland

• 1 Carlos López Estrada
• 2 Mirabel Madrigal

Disney News » Disney Attraction » Disneyland Park » Mark Twain Riverboat 

Mark Twain Riverboat | Disneyland

Last Updated on: January 21st, 2024

Posted By: Craig Smith

Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Mark Twain Riverboat attraction at Disneyland including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

Contents of this article:

About Mark Twain Riverboat

Important mark twain riverboat details.

• Mark Twain Riverboat News

Cast off on a scenic half-mile adventure into the wilds of old America aboard a steam-powered paddler. Board the 19th-century-inspired Mark Twain riverboat nestled in the heart of Frontierland and embark on a relaxing sightseeing voyage around Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island .

Sights to See During this charming, 14-minute journey into America’s early frontier, sharp-eyed explorers can observe a menagerie of sights along the river’s edge, including:

• The new north bank of the Columbia Gorge, complete with a beautiful waterfront and 5 sparkling waterfalls
• The rustic cabin of a frontier settler
• An idyllic Native American village
• A busy beaver at work chewing on the train trestle
• A moose enjoying a leisurely lunch
• A  Haunted Mansion  lurking in the shadows
• A skunk staring down raccoons
• Mountain lions relaxing in the sun
• An osprey guarding its nest
• The  Disneyland Railroad steaming into the wilderness

Along the way, listen to lively narration about a time when traveling was as much about new discoveries as it was about transportation.

Mark Twain Riverboat Fun Facts

• The Mark Twain Riverboat is an iconic and historic attraction located in Frontierland at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
• It opened with the park on July 17, 1955, and is named after the famous American author Mark Twain, known for his classic novels like “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”
• The riverboat takes guests on a leisurely and scenic journey along the picturesque Rivers of America, offering beautiful views of Frontierland, New Orleans Square, and Critter Country.
• One of the unique features of the Mark Twain Riverboat is its authentic steam-powered paddlewheel, which propels the boat along the river, creating a nostalgic and old-fashioned experience.
• Guests can relax on the upper or lower decks of the riverboat, listen to the onboard narration, and enjoy the peaceful ambiance as they take in the sights and sounds of the river and its surroundings.
• Disney Resort: Disneyland Resort
• Disney Park: Disneyland Park Info News and Attractions
• Park Area: Disneyland Frontierland
• Attraction Type: Ride
• Official Page
• Year Opened: 1955
• Replaced: Original Attraction
• Location on Map

Mark Twain Riverboat Reviews

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Old Times on the Mississippi (Part I)

The first installment in a seven-part series about the author’s youthful training as a riverboat pilot

When I was a boy, there was but one permanent ambition among my comrades in our village on the west bank of the Mississippi River. That was, to be a steamboatman. We had transient ambitions of other sorts, but they were only transient. When a circus came and went, it left us all burning to become clowns; the first negro minstrel show that came to our section left us all suffering to try that kind of life; now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates. These ambitions faded out, each in its turn; but the ambition to be a steamboatman always remained.

Once a day a cheap, gaudy packet arrived upward from St. Louis, and another downward from Keokuk. Before these events had transpired, the day was glorious with expectancy; after they had transpired, the day was a dead and empty thing. Not only the boys, but the whole village, felt this. After all these years I can picture that old time to myself now, just as it was then: the white town drowsing in the sunshine of a summer’s morning; the streets empty, or pretty nearly so; one or two clerks sitting in front of the Water Street stores, with their splint-bottomed chairs tilted back against the wall, chins on breasts, hats slouched over their faces, asleep—with shingle-shavings enough around to show what broke them down; a sow and a litter of pigs loafing along the sidewalk, doing a good business in water-melon rinds and seeds; two or three lonely little freight piles scattered about the “levee;” a pile of “skids” on the slope of the stone-paved wharf, and the fragrant town drunkard asleep in the shadow of them; two or three wood fiats at the head of the wharf, but nobody to listen to the peaceful lapping of the wavelets against them; the great Mississippi, the majestic, the magnificent Mississippi, rolling its mile-wide tide along, shining in the sun; the dense forest away on the other side; the “point” above the town, and the “point” below, bounding the river-glimpse and turning it into a sort of sea, and withal a very still and brilliant and lonely one. Presently a film of dark smoke appears above one of those remote “points;” instantly a negro drayman, famous for his quick eye and prodigious voice, lifts up the cry, “S-t-e-a-m-boat a-comin’!” and the scene changes! The town drunkard stirs, the clerks wake up, a furious clatter of drays follows, every house and store pours out a human contribution, and all in a twinkling the dead town is alive and moving. Drays, carts, men, boys, all go hurrying from many quarters to a common centre, the wharf. Assembled there, the people fasten their eyes upon the coming boat as upon a wonder they are seeing for the first time. And the boat is rather a handsome sight, too. She is long and sharp and trim and pretty; she has two tall, fancy-topped chimneys, with a gilded device of some kind swung between them; a fanciful pilot-house, all glass and “gingerbread” perched on top of the “texas” deck behind them; the paddle-boxes are gorgeous with a picture or with gilded rays above the boat’s name; the boiler deck, the hurricane deck, and the texas deck are fenced and ornamented with clean white railings; there is a flag gallantly flying from the jack-staff; the furnace doors are open and the fires glaring bravely; the upper decks are black with passengers; the captain stands by the big bell, calm, imposing, the envy of all; great volumes of the blackest smoke are rolling and tumbling out of the chimneys—a husbanded grandeur created with a bit of pitch pine just before arriving at a town; the crew are grouped on the forecastle; the broad stage is run far out over the port bow, and an envied deck-hand stands picturesquely on the end of it with a coil of rope in his hand; the pent steam is screaming through the gauge-cocks; the captain lifts his band, a bell rings, the wheels stop; then they turn back, churning the water to foam, and the steamer is at rest. Then such a scramble as there is to get aboard, and to get ashore, and to take in freight and to discharge freight, all at one and the same time; and such a yelling and cursing as the mates facilitate it all with! Ten minutes later the steamer is under way again, with no flag on the jack-staff and no black smoke issuing from the chimneys. After ten more minutes the town is dead again, and the town drunkard asleep by the skids once more.

My father was a justice of the peace, and I supposed he possessed the power of life and death over all men and could hang anybody that offended him. This was distinction enough for me as a general thing; but the desire to be a steamboatman kept intruding, nevertheless. I first wanted to be a cabin-boy, so that I could come out with a white apron on and shake a table-cloth over the side, where all my old comrades could see me; later I thought I would rather be the deck-hand who stood on the end of the stage-plank with the coil of rope in his hand, because he was particularly conspicuous. But these were only daydreams—they were too heavenly to be contemplated as real possibilities. By and by one of our boys went away. He was not heard of for a long time. At last he turned up as apprentice engineer or “striker” on a steamboat. This thing shook the bottom out of all my Sunday-school teachings. That boy had been notoriously worldly, and I just the reverse; yet he was exalted to this eminence, and I left in obscurity and misery. There was nothing generous about this fellow in his greatness. He would always manage to have a rusty bolt to scrub while his boat tarried at our town, and he would sit on the inside guard and scrub it, where we could all see him and envy him and loathe him. And whenever his boat was laid up he would come home and swell around the town in his blackest and greasiest clothes, so that nobody could help remembering that he was a steamboatman; and he used all sorts of steamboat technicalities in his talk, as if he were so used to them that he forgot common people could not understand them. He would speak of the “lab-board” side of a horse in an easy, natural way that would make one wish he was dead. And he was always talking about “St. Looy” like an old citizen; he would refer casually to occasions when he “was coming down Fourth Street,” or when he was passing by the Planter’s House, or when there was a fire and he took a turn on the brakes of “the old Big Missouri;” and then he would go on and lie about how many towns the size of ours were burned down there that day. Two or three of the boys had long been persons of consideration among us because they had been to St. Louis once and had a vague general knowledge of its wonders, but the day of their glory was over now. They lapsed into a humble silence, and learned to disappear when the ruthless “cub”-engineer approached. This fellow had money, too, and hair oil. Also an ignorant silver watch and a showy brass watch chain. He wore a leather belt and used no suspenders. If ever a youth was cordially admired and hated by his comrades, this one was. No girl could withstand his charms. He “cut out” every boy in the village. When his boat blew up at last, it diffused a tranquil contentment among us such as we had not known for months. But when he came home the next week, alive, renowned, and appeared in church all battered up and bandaged, a shining hero, stared at and wondered over by everybody, it seemed to us that the partiality of Providence for an undeserving reptile had reached a point where it was open to criticism.

This creature’s career could produce but one result, and it speedily followed. Boy after boy managed to get on the river. The minister’s son became an engineer. The doctor’s and the post-master’s sons became “mud clerks”; the wholesale liquor dealer’s son became a bar-keeper on a boat; four sons of the chief merchant, and two sons of the county judge, became pilots. Pilot was the grandest position of all. The pilot, even in those days of trivial wages, had a princely salary—from a hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty dollars a month, and no board to pay. Two months of his wages would pay a preacher’s salary for a year. Now some of us were left disconsolate. We could not get on the river—at least our parents would not let us.

So by and by I ran, away. I said I never would come home again till I was a pilot and could come in glory. But somehow I could not manage it. I went meekly aboard a few of the boats that lay packed together like sardines at the long St. Louis wharf, and very humbly inquired for the pilots, but got only a cold shoulder and short words from mates and clerks. I had to make the best of this sort of treatment for the time being, but I had comforting day-dreams of a future when I should be a great and honored pilot, with plenty of money, and could kill some of these mates and clerks and pay for them.

Months afterward the hope within me struggled to a reluctant death, and I found myself without an ambition. But I was ashamed to go home. I was in Cincinnati, and I set to work to map out a new career. I had been reading about the recent exploration of the river Amazon by an expedition sent out by our government. It was said that the expedition, owing to difficulties, had not thoroughly explored a part of the country lying about the head-waters, some four thousand miles from the mouth of the river. It was only about fifteen hundred miles from Cincinnati to New Orleans, where I could doubtless get a ship. I had thirty dollars left; I would go and complete the exploration of the Amazon. This was all the thought I gave to the subject. I never was great in matters of detail. I packed my valise, and took passage on an ancient tub called the Paul Jones, for New Orleans. For the sum of sixteen dollars I had the scarred and tarnished splendors of “her” main saloon principally to myself, for she was not a creature to attract the eye of wiser travelers.

When we presently got under way and went poking down the broad Ohio, I became a new being, and the subject of my own admiration I was a traveler! A word never had tasted so good in my mouth before. I had an exultant sense of being bound for mysterious lands and distant climes which I never have felt in so uplifting a degree since. I was in such a glorified condition that all ignoble feelings departed out of me, and I was able to look down and pity the untraveled with a compassion that had hardly a trace of contempt in it. Still, when we stopped at villages and wood-yards, I could not help lolling carelessly upon the railings of the boiler deck to enjoy the envy of the country boys on the bank. If they did not seem to discover me, I presently sneezed to attract their attention, or moved to a position where they could not help seeing me. And as soon as I knew they saw me I gaped and stretched, and gave other signs of being mightily bored with traveling.

I kept my hat off all the time, and stayed where the wind and the sun could strike me, because I wanted to get the bronzed and weather-beaten look of an old traveler. Before the second day was half gone, I experienced a joy which filled me with the purest gratitude; for I saw that the skin had begun to blister and peel off my face and neck. I wished that the boys and girls at home could see me now.

We reached Louisville in time—at least the neighborhood of it. We stuck hard and fast on the rocks in the middle of the river and lay there four days. I was now beginning to feel a strong sense of being a part of the boat’s family, a sort of infant son to the captain and younger brother to the officers. There is no estimating the pride I took in this grandeur, or the affection that began to swell and grow in me for those people. I could not know how the lordly steamboatman scorns that sort of presumption in a mere landsman. I particularly longed to acquire the least trifle of notice from the big stormy mate, and I was on the alert for an opportunity to do him a service to that end. It came at last. The riotous powwow of setting a spar was going on down on the forecastle, and I went down there and stood around in the way—or mostly skipping out of it—till the mate suddenly roared a general order for somebody to bring him a capstan bar. I sprang to his side and said: “Tell me where it is—I’ll fetch it!”

If a rag-picker had offered to do a diplomatic service for the Emperor of Russia, the monarch could not have been more astounded than the mate was. He even stopped swearing. He stood and stared down at me. it took him ten seconds to scrape his disjointed remains together again. Then he said impressively: “Well, if this don’t beat hell!” and turned to his work with the air of a man who had been confronted with a problem too abstruse for solution.

I crept away, and courted solitude for the rest of the day. I did not go to dinner; I stayed away from supper until everybody else had finished. I did not feel so much like a member of the boat’s family now as before. However, my spirits returned, in installments, as we pursued our way down the river. I was sorry I hated the mate so, because it was not in (young) human nature not to admire him. He was huge and muscular, his face was bearded and whiskered all over; he had a red woman and a blue woman tattooed on his right arm, one on each side of a blue anchor with a red rope to it; and in the matter of profanity he was perfect. When he was getting out cargo at a landing, I was always where I could see and hear. He felt all the sublimity of his great position, and made the world feel it, too. When he gave even the simplest order, he discharged it like a blast of lightning, and sent a long, reverberating peal of profanity thundering after it. I could not help contrasting the way in which the average landsman would give an order, with the mate’s way of doing it. If the landsman should wish the gang-plank moved a foot farther forward, he would probably say: “James, or William, one of you push that plank forward, please;” but put the mate in his place, and he would roar out: “Here, now, start that gang-plank for’ard! Lively, now! What ’re you about! Snatch it! snatch it! There! there! Aft again! aft again! Don’t you hear me? Dash it to dash! are you going to sleep over it! ’Vast heaving. ’Vast heaving, I tell you! Going to heave it clear astern? WHERE ’re you going with that barrel! for’ard with it ’fore I make you swallow it, you dash-dash-dash- dashed split between a tired mud-turtle and a crippled hearse-horse!”

I wished I could talk like that.

When the soreness of my adventure with the mate had somewhat worn off, I began timidly to make up to the humblest official connected with the boat—the night watchman. He snubbed my advances at first, but I presently ventured to offer him a new chalk pipe, and that softened him. So he allowed me to sit with him by the big bell on the hurricane deck, and in time he melted into conversation. He could not well have helped it, I hung with such homage on his words and so plainly showed that I felt honored by his notice. He told me the names of dim capes and shadowy islands as we glided by them in the solemnity of the night, under the winking stars, and by and by got to talking about himself. He seemed over-sentimental for a man whose salary was six dollars a week—or rather he might have seemed so to an older person than I. But I drank in his words hungrily, and with a faith that might have moved mountains if it had been applied judiciously. What was it to me that he was soiled arid seedy and fragrant with gin? What was it to me that his grammar was bad, his construction worse, and his profanity so void of art that it was an element of weakness rather than strength in his conversation? He was a wronged man, a man who had seen trouble, and that was enough for me. As he mellowed into his plaintive history his tears dripped upon the lantern in his lap, and I cried, too, from sympathy. He said he was the son of an English nobleman—either an earl or an alderman, he could not remember which, but believed he was both; his father, the nobleman, loved him, but his mother hated him from the cradle; and so while he was still a little boy he was sent to “one of them old, ancient colleges”—he couldn’t remember which; and by and by his father died and his mother seized the property and “shook” him, as he phrased it. After his mother shook him, members of the nobility with whom he was acquainted used their influence to get him the position of “lob-lolly-boy in a ship;” and from that point my watchman threw off all trammels of date and locality and branched out into a narrative that bristled all along with incredible adventures; a narrative that was so reeking with bloodshed and so crammed with hair-breadth escapes and the most engaging and unconscious personal villainies, that I sat speechless, enjoying, shuddering, wondering, worshiping.

It was a sore blight to find out afterwards that he was a low, vulgar, ignorant, sentimental, half-witted humbug, an untraveled native of the wilds of Illinois, who had absorbed wildcat literature and appropriated its marvels, until in time he had woven odds and ends of the mess into this yarn, and then gone on telling it to fledgelings like me, until he had come to believe it himself.

Make unforgettable memories on our riverboat cruises in Hannibal, Missouri!

To create lifelong memories for our guests and to inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation for the Mississippi River and the people and places it has touched throughout history.

We strive to educate and entertain our guests with informative commentary and engaging activities, from live music and storytelling to interactive exhibits and demonstrations. We are committed to operating our riverboat in an environmentally responsible manner, minimizing our impact on the river and its ecosystem.

Meet our captains

Steve Terry is the proud captain and owner of the Mark Twain Riverboat in Hannibal, Missouri. With a lifelong passion for the Mississippi River and a deep appreciation for its history and culture, He has dedicated his career to sharing this special place with others. He brings his extensive knowledge of the river to every cruise, sharing fascinating stories and historical facts with his guests. He has also invested in sustainable practices and initiatives to minimize the riverboat's impact on the environment. Through his leadership and vision, he has made the Mark Twain Riverboat a beloved institution in Hannibal and a must-see attraction for visitors from around the world. He takes great pride in providing his guests with an unforgettable journey on the Mississippi River.

Welcome Aboard!

The Mark Twain has been a unique feature on the Hannibal riverfront for more than 30 years. As a family-owned business since 1997, we strive to offer you a unique riverboat experience on the Mighty Mississippi, whether you’re a Hannibal resident or visitor. Choose between our two daily cruise offerings: our Sightseeing Cruise and our evening Dinner Cruise. Whether you are looking to spend the day on the river taking in the sights or dining on the river at sunset, Mark Twain Riverboat has something for everyone.

• Built in 1964 at Dubuque Boiler and Boatworks
• 120 feet long, 33 feet wide, 6-foot draft
• 350 passenger capacity
• Inspected annually by the USCG
• Wheelchair accessible w/limitations (not 100% wheelchair access)

Why choose us?

A Glimpse At Missouri Through The Lens Of A Famous Author On The Mississippi River

A Mississippi River cruise aboard Mark Twain Riverboat Co. allows you to enjoy a short excursion from Hannibal during the more pleasant weather months of the year. Just 100 miles away from St. Louis, our Mississippi River boat cruise is the only cruise that departs from Mark Twain's boyhood home.

River cruising gives you the time and space to fully immerse yourself in Mark Twain's story and the Mississippi River, getting to know the inspiration behind his books. We handle every detail for you from departure to dinner on our Mississippi river cruises, making it possible for you to fully relax and enjoy our modern riverboat.

Cruising down the river is a great way to unwind and enjoy nature after a busy week. Hannibal, Missouri is home to some of the most scenic riverfront views in the Midwest!

Informative

Our cruise guides are experts in their field and love to share their knowledge about this beautiful city. They'll educate you all about the history of the area and its inhabitants, so you can really get an insider's look at this fascinating area.

Family-friendly

Our cruises are great for families with children of all ages, so bring your whole crew along with you! We have plenty of activities that will keep you occupied during the day and night.

Enjoy the beauty of the Mighty Mississippi, Hannibal MO

Hannibal is a historic city with a lot of charm and character. The city is situated on the Mississippi River, making it a prime spot for cruising.

Here are a few facts about the area:

• Mark Twain is the most famous person from Hannibal, Mo, but we also have several other famous people that have called Hannibal home.
• The city is home to the oldest standing building in Missouri, which was built in 1819 and still stands today.
• One of the few places in the world where you can see a double sunset

Frequently asked questions

Can we modify existing itineraries.

To some extent – yes. Sometimes we will have to because the weather isn’t always ideal and we want to stay in shallow, calm waters to keep the trip enjoyable.

What is the duration of the cruises?

Our cruises last approximately one to two hours

Are food and drinks available on board?

Yes, we offer a variety of food and drinks, including a snack bar and a full-service bar.

Is smoking allowed on board?

No, smoking is not allowed onboard.

Is the Mark Twain Riverboat wheelchair accessible?

We are wheelchair accessible on the lower deck. However, there is no lift to the upper deck and wheelchairs do not fit in the bathrooms.

Book your cruise today .

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This Day In History : April 9

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Mark Twain receives steamboat pilot’s license

On April 9, 1859, a 23-year-old Missouri youth named Samuel Langhorne Clemens receives his steamboat pilot’s license.

Clemens had signed on as a pilot’s apprentice in 1857 while on his way to Mississippi. He had been commissioned to write a series of comic travel letters for the Keokuk Daily Post, but after writing five, decided he’d rather be a pilot than a writer. He piloted his own boats for two years, until the Civil War halted steamboat traffic. During his time as a pilot, he picked up the term “ Mark Twain ,” a boatman’s call noting that the river was only two fathoms deep, the minimum depth for safe navigation. When Clemens returned to writing in 1861, working for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise, he wrote a humorous travel letter signed by “Mark Twain” and continued to use the pseudonym for nearly 50 years.

Clemens was born in Florida, Missouri, and was apprenticed to a printer at age 13. He later worked for his older brother, who established the Hannibal Journal . In 1864, he moved to San Francisco to work as a reporter. There he wrote the story that made him famous, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."

In 1866, he traveled to Hawaii as a correspondent for the Sacramento Union. Next, he traveled the world writing accounts for papers in California and New York, which he later published as the popular book The Innocents Abroad (1869). In 1870, Clemens married the daughter of a wealthy New York coal merchant and settled in Hartford, Connecticut, where he continued to write travel accounts and lecture. In 1875, his novel Tom Sawyer was published, followed by Life on the Mississippi (1883) and his masterpiece Huckleberry Finn (1885). Bad investments left Clemens bankrupt after the publication of Huckleberry Finn , but he won back his financial standing with his next three books. In 1903, he and his family moved to Italy, where his wife died. Her death left him sad and bitter, and his work, while still humorous, grew distinctly darker. He died in 1910.

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Robert E. Lee surrenders

“chicago eight” plead not guilty to federal conspiracy charges, billy the kid convicted of murder, marian anderson sings on the steps of the lincoln memorial, man attempts to kill wife for money using car bomb, u.s. secretary of state george shultz condemns soviet spying, troops surrender in bataan, philippines, in largest-ever u.s. surrender, germany invades norway and denmark, anti-nazi theologian dietrich bonhoeffer is hanged.