Paddlewheel Princess blaze lit by 4 teens, police say

Four teens have been charged with arson in connection with the fire that destroyed the Paddlewheel Princess riverboat.

The historic boat went up in flames while moored in a Selkirk slough on May 9.

The 50-year-old riverboat once cruised between Lockport and Lower Fort Garry buthas sat boarded up since 2011, while the owner made a number of attempts to sell it.

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A 17-year-old boy from Lockport, a 17-year-old boy from the rural municipality of St. Clements, a 17-year-old boy from Selkirk and a 15-year-old boy from Selkirkwere arrested and charged in connection with the fire,RCMP said.

They have all been released from custody while awaitingcourt dates.

The Paddlewheel Princess was constructed in 1966, a year afterWinnipeggerRaySenftbuilt its sister ship, the Paddlewheel Queen.

Former captain SteveHawchuktook the boat up and down Manitoba rivers until 2011, when he docked the boat and put it up for sale. He continued to sail the Queen until 2013.

• Manitoba History: Remembering the Riverboats

Some of the VIP guests over the years on the Paddlewheel Queen and Princess include:

• Musician Burton Cummings
• KFC founder Colonel HarlandSanders
• Singer Frankie Valli
• Environmental activist David Suzuki
• Princess Anne
• Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
• Author and Academy Award-nominated actor Chief Dan George
• Musical-comedy duo Maclean and Maclean