The last days of the historic Tahoe Queen

What was once the only authentic paddle wheeler cruising on Lake Tahoe is now being dismantled after a fire destroyed the boat on August 18, 2016.

Resolve Marine, an international ship salvage company out of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., arrived at the Zephyr Cove Resort six days ago to begin the process of taking apart the 119' foot passenger boat, the Tahoe Queen.

The process began with the 450 ton boat being put onto large airbags and pulled onto shore in between the trees. The seven Resolve Marine employees in South Lake Tahoe for the project then gutted the whole inside of the Tahoe Queen and started filling up dumpsters with the remains. The metal of the boat is being cut up into pieces and will be recycled.

At first the process was going to take 21 days but it may be a little longer due to the storms the salvage team has had to deal with, according to Tim McKinnis of Resolve Marine.

A fire broke out during a remodeling project on the boat which it was docked at the Zephyr Cove Resort. The exact cause of fire hasn't been released though an electrical issue is most likely the cause according to an Aramark spokesperson. Aramark is the owner of both the Tahoe Queen and MS Dixie II, another cruise boat on Lake Tahoe.

New engines were placed on the Tahoe Queen during the project and had never been used prior to the fire. They have been removed for an undetermined future use.

The historic 1900's era Mississippi paddle steamer treated locals and visitors alike to cruises on Lake Tahoe for a few decades after being reconditioned and brought to the Sierra.

At this time it is unknown if Aramark has any plans to bring in another cruising option to Zephyr Cove Resort.