The Spirit of Peoria was built in Paducah, Kentucky in 1988
by Walker Boat Yard. She is solely propelled by its stern driven paddle wheel.
The wheel, composed only of fiberglass and wood, has 68 bucket boards
and is 22 feet in diameter. The paddle wheel is powered by two
Caterpillar 3412 diesel engines that turn 350kw generator sets.
Two traction motors powered electrically by these generators turn
two 12 inch belt chains each 40 feet in length.