Note: Photos courtesy of Laurie Ferguson
OSCODA – The AuSable River Queen, a beloved double-decker paddlewheel riverboat near Oscoda, Michigan, has sunk to the bottom of the AuSable River.
Tragically, on the night of March 11, 2025, the AuSable River Queen sank under unknown circumstances.
Owner Laurie Rice expressed shock and devastation, posting on her social media page this morning.
“It was good at 8:30 last night and by 9:30 it was sinking. We called the authorities then. Nobody knows what, why or how. We will have it investigated.
“Everyone please stop speculating. This is a huge tragedy for our family … Thank you.”
The Queen has been a major tourist attraction since 1966, offering scenic cruises along the Au Sable River. Modeled after Mississippi River paddleboats, it was the only vessel of its kind operating in northern Michigan.
The sinking of the AuSable River Queen marks the end of nearly six decades of history, leaving the Oscoda community mourning the loss of an iconic piece of its heritage.
It’s unclear at this time how the boat will be removed, or whether it can be salvaged.
