Erie News Now | WICU & WSEE in Erie, PAMove Causes Minor Damage to Victorian Princess

Move Causes Minor Damage to Victorian Princess

 The Victorian Princess was back in the water for a short time today, 7 months after a fire in the engine compartment caused extensive damage to the ship. But the ship received some minor damage to the hull as the 85 ton ship was moved.

 So later it was lifted back out of Presque Isle Bay. Repairs will be done next week, then the ship will be placed back in the water.

The repairs done since May cost about $500,000. But owner Dan O'Neill says insurance covered the bills for refurbishing the engines, and renovating much of the paddle boat that has been a fixture on the bayfront for the past 13 years.

O'Neill says it was a big relief seeing the ship finally back in the water. He said, "I thought I would never see it. It is a real great feeling. It was a long haul, a large mountain. But everybody put their heart and soul into it. It's reality. So I feel real good today. She is like brand new. It's like picking up the phone and saying, build me a new Victorian Princess. So if there is a good out of the bad, she's brand new."

 The ship may go out a few times this month if the weather cooperates. But O'Neill is focusing on resuming the normal schedule next spring.