The Becky Thatcher Arrives: New Riverboat Is First for St. Louis in Nearly 40 Years

ST. LOUIS (Aug. 25, 2026) — The Becky Thatcher—St. Louis’ newest riverboat at the steps of the Gateway Arch—has officially arrived and will soon become Bi-State Development’s second riverboat offering tours along the St. Louis riverfront. The first new riverboat in St. Louis since 1987, this replica 19th-century paddlewheel riverboat joins the Tom Sawyer in the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch fleet, expanding the only riverboat tours in downtown St. Louis and revitalizing the historic riverfront. 

“Riverboats have been part of St. Louis’ story for generations, and for 25 years, Bi-State Development has been proud to continue that tradition on the Mississippi River,” said Taulby Roach, president and CEO of Bi-State Development. “Welcoming the Becky Thatcher to join the Tom Sawyer allows us to honor that rich history while creating even more opportunities for guests to experience the river that helped shape our region.” 

The arrival of the Becky Thatcher follows a rigorous national search conducted by Bi-State Development to identify the right boat for the St. Louis riverfront. The boat, previously the Capt. JP (built in 1987) out of Fort Myers, Florida, was purchased for $549,500. The new Becky Thatcher replaces the 1963 riverboat that previously carried the name, which was sold to Memphis Riverboats in 2024. The new boat is approximately 31% larger than its predecessor.

Following the purchase, $3.2 million was invested in repairs and renovations at a shipyard near Mobile, Alabama, under the oversight of the United States Coast Guard. Renovations to the Becky Thatcher were designed to enhance guest experience, improve safety and longevity, and modernize vessel operations. These updates included:

These improvements provide guests with a refreshed and comfortable environment while maintaining the historic character of the fleet. The purchase and improvements were funded through existing riverboat revenue.

“Working in a major shipbuilding hub like Mobile provided a one-stop solution for making all of the necessary repairs and upgrades to bring this vessel up to our high standards,” said Roach.  

After completing renovations near Mobile, the Becky Thatcher began its journey from the Gulf Coast to the St. Louis riverfront, a trip that took approximately 10 days. To reach its new home, the boat traveled north through the Mobile Bay and River before entering the Tombigbee River and navigating the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and its 10-lock system. The route continued through the Tennessee River, Kentucky Lake and Ohio River before entering the Mississippi River. Over the next couple of weeks, the boat will complete the United States Coast Guard’s certifications and staff safety training before welcoming its first passengers.  

For announcements and more information on Becky Thatcher’s inaugural cruise as well as frequently asked questions, visit BeckySTL.com.

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About the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch: The Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher riverboats are owned and operated by Bi-State Development. A short walk from the Laclede’s Landing MetroLink Station, the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch offer breathtaking views of St. Louis on the Mississippi River, including the popular, daily St. Louis Riverfront Cruise as well as the unique Skyline Dinner Cruise. A complete cruise schedule can be found at gatewayarch.com/riverboats.