Historic boat tours on the Susquehanna River now open to the public

For the past few weeks, small groups have taken sneak preview tours on a historic, 110-year-old electric power boat in the Susquehanna River.

The Susquehanna National Heritage Area bought the 1912 Elco Electric Motor Launch last year to replace its pontoon boat for its popular River Discovery Boat Tours. Since that time, the watercraft has undergone repairs and upgrades.

The U.S. Coast Guard issued its temporary certificate of inspection last week, allowing for larger 24-passenger tours, and now the boat is setting sail for regular tours along the river, said Mark Platts, president of the heritage area.

The one-hour tours will be offered Thursday through Sunday through most of October.

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History of the Chief Uncas

The boat was built Adolphus Busch, co-founder of Anheuser-Busch beer, and, until last year, spent its life on Otsego Lake, the headwaters of the Susquehanna River. It mostly had been in private use by the Busch family, but it had hosted public tours for a period in the past.

It's named Chief Uncas, based on James Fenimore Cooper's novel "The Last of the Mohicans," according to a brochure. Cooper's father founded Cooperstown, N.Y.

The boat is 55 feet long with a 9.5-foot beam and a 2.5-foot draft, according to a brochure. It has mahogany planking and white oak ribs and frame.

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Its new life on the Susquehanna River

Now the boat cruises along the lower Susquehanna River, offering passengers a chance to get out on the water and learn about the history, geography and wildlife of the area.

"... it is just divine," Platts said of being out on the vessel.

Unlike the pontoon boat, the engine of the Chief Uncas is quiet. The boat can keep cruising while the guide speaks.

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In addition to the river discovery tours, the heritage area has offered sunset cruises for small groups. It also plans to allow for limited, private charters.

The boat will be pulled out of the water for the winter, and tours are expected to resume in May.

How to buy tickets

Boat tours are offered Thursday through Sunday at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The cost is $20 for adults, $10 for youth ages 5 to 17 and children under 5 are free.

To order tickets in advance, visit the Susquehanna National Heritage Area's website at susqnha.org/events/.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Susquehanna River Discovery Boat Tours on historic vessel open to the public