Outagamie County, WI - "When Steamboats traveled the Wolf" ************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************* Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives Subject: newspaper article "When Steamboats traveled the Wolf" Submitted by: county coordinator EMAIL: jmmarasch@aol.com Date Submitted: 15 March 2000 Source: New London Press newspaper article from Bicentennial issue, undated. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - When Steamboats traveled the Wolf by Leona Mech Along with our Legacy of History, one must consider the boat-builders in this area, as the river traffic was most important to the cities and villages along the Fox and Wolf rivers. I'm hoping my story will give you just a glimpse into the enormous effort put into building boats. With the size of most of them, one wonders how they could ply the shallow waters in many places on the two rivers. Apparently there were boats 'way-back-then' (such as the later Fox and Wolf government owned in the 1900's) that opened up the channels each spring, dredged the channels, put in buoys to locate channels and did other work necessary to keep the rivers navigable. There is much history to be gleaned from these boats. It was 1842 before a raft of logs (white pine and evergreens) came down the Wolf river, to Lake Winnebago. Later steamboats were used-the first record of boats on the Wolf dates back to 1844 when Captain Hotaling guided his Manchester on the Wolf as far north as Shawanaw (old spelling). An article written by J.B. Osborn, of Oshkosh to be found in the "Transportations of the Wisconsin Agriculutral Society" of 1860 has the following reference to what probably was the earliest navigation of the Wolf river: "Sixteen years ago (1844) the steamer 'Manchester', Captain Hotaling, ascended the Wolf, with machinery for a sawmill, as far as Shawanaw with no further trouble than cutting away a few trees which had fallen from the banks into the channel, a distance by the river of 150 miles from Lake Winnebago. Regular steamboat communications to Shamanaw is now established." In the early 1850's numerous steamboats and steam tugs were built at Oshkosh, New London, and other points to give transportation by water-New London was the head of navigation for the large steamers. Smaller craft would occasionally penetrate higher above the mouth of the Embarrass in high water time, but there was no great central point above this. The year 1853 was noteworthy as witnessing the arrival at the "mouth of the Embarrass" of Pioneer steamboats to New London. The Badger State, a side-wheeler built in Stockbridge, and the Barlow, made their trips up the Wolf from Oshkosh. The Badger sunk in 1853. In the following year (1854) the Eureka, with Captain Drummond, commenced a regular trip here, and a few years afterward New London commenced to build a few steamboats on her own account. 1853-54 Captain Hotelin had this flat-keel, stern-wheel steamboat, 40-50 feet long, which he ran to Shawano in June, 1854, made as a second trip, passing New London. The name given by the Indians to the Wolf river was the Mohosipi (Moho, Wolf; Sippi, river). It, the Wolf, was navigated from Oshkosh by a small steamer, called the Peggy, back in 1856, taking two days to make the trip to Mukwa (New London). It made triweekly trips under a Captain Sherwood. Wisconsin was then commonly spelled in the old 'Frenchified' way. Ouiskonsan. The Peggy's accomodations for the passengers were rough tables from which the meals were eaten throughout the day and serving as bedsteads at night. Emerson & Swain, 1857, built a stern-wheeler WOLF in New London. It was built for Captain Drummond. This steamboat was 110 feet long, 20 foot beam, with two command of her owner Captain E.F. Drummond. It was one of the largest stern-wheelers on the Wolf. For a number of years the boat was engaged on the river running between New London and Oshkosh. Her career was a prosperous one until the summer of 1859, when the captain unnecessarily stabbed with a large knife, a powerful river-man by the name of Luther Martin, who was making a disturbance on board the boat, while on his way from the Boom to Oshkosh. Drummond was arrested but the verdict was self defense. Martin lived six months when he died from the effects of this wound in the left breast. This seemed to be the turning point in the career of Captain Drummond. Before this he seemed to have been successful in everything which he undertook, but from the time of that tragedy until his death he seemed to meet with nothing but trouble. Bad luck seemed to stalk in his wake. In the summer of 1863 his boy, a bright young lad of 10 or 12, was drowned in the river at New London and in September of the same year Drummond's boat wasdestroyed by fire. Shortly after the captain died in New London. Steamboats lasted at least 40 years on the Wolf river, and it will be seen from the following list of steamboats which towed lumber rafts and barges and carried supplies as well as a few passengers, that most of the craft were built at Oshkosh. Several were constructed at New London, in the 1850's, and one as late as 1883. Other side-wheelers were the Oshkosh-built Berlin in 1851, with a 95 foot length and 14 foot beam which burnt in 1870; the 110'x 16' Eureka was built in Eureka in 1854. It plied the Wolf-failed and was then used on the Mississippi river in 1861. The Pearl, also built in Oshkosh in 1856-105 by 19-also failed on the Wolf so was used on the Mississippi in 1861, where she sank near St. Louis. The Menominee was built in "Shioc" (later called Shiocton) in 1856-length was 100 feet, beam 16 feet-a side-wheeler-route was New London and Fox River Points-this project also failed so it was sold to Lake Pepin in 1860. In 1857 the Berlin City was built-110 feet by 18 feet-it burned that same year. In the above list are noted the Berlin City and the Pearl, which were among the best known and fastest boats engaged in the Wolf River trade. By force of circumstances they were rivals; new boats, each determined to demonstrate its superiority in speed and efficiency. "On the third of July, 1857," says an account of an accident, "she (the Berlin City) was enroute from Berlin, and had engaged in a race with the steamer Pearl, while crossing Lake Buttes des Morts." "The Berlin City was crossing the bar at the head of the lake when she was blown up by the explosion of her boiler, and this beautiful little boat which had been plowing so gracefully through the water, instantly was a wreck." "Her upper works, over and in front of the boiler, were blown to pieces. A number of holes were blown in her bottom and she sank upon the shoal water of the bar." "Many were blown overboard into the water, more or less scalded. It was indeed a lucky thing for those on board that the water was shallow, for had this not been the case many of them would have found a watery grave." "Engineer Samuel Anthony was instantly killed and afterward found under a portion of the boiler, terribly mangled. Two deck hands were blown overboard and drowned. Their bodies were not found until the next day." "Miss Carhart, a lady of Berlin who was going home from school at Appleton to spend the 4th of July, was scalded so badly that she did not live to reach her home, but died soon after the accident at Oshkosh." "Captain Brown, of an ocean steamer, was also a passenger on this fatal trip and was so badly scalded and hurt that he died several months afterwards from the injury which he that day received." . "Brown felt quite indignant over the accident and said: ,"The idea of my sailing the dangerous seas all of my life, and now blown up on this condemned little frog pond on a 75 cent boat with a 50 cent fare, and my leg broke'-in all there were five lives lost, in consequence of this explosion." "No doubt the loss of life would have been much greater at this time, but it appears that the steamer Pearl was in the lead when the boats arrived at this point and ex-Mayor Kellogg of Oshkosh and several others were looking back at the Berlin City when her boiler exploded." "These men immediately gave the alarm and Captain L. Sherwood immediately turned his boat around and went back to the assistance of the suffering, struggling people. Everybody was placed on board of the Pearl and taken back to Oshkosh where the best medical aid obtainable was given them." "The Berlin City was quite badly damaged, and for a time it was thought that she was not worth repair; but she was finally raised and repaired, and soon made her appearance under the command of the same Captain Lynch." "She was soon afterward purchased by Tom Wall, Reuben Doud and Captain Lynch, and run upon the Green Bay route for several seasons. She was then sold to Capt. Stimson of New London, and he ran her from Berlin to Oshkosh, and from Oshkosh up the Wolf River as far as Shawano." "During the time that he owned the boat he was kept busy carrying freight and supplies to Shawano and back as far as New London. He did a good business with the boat while he kept her, and in 1866 sold her to John F. Morse and C.C. Paige who still continued to run her on the Wolf." "On the night of Nov. 24, 1870, she was burned to the water's edge while at anchor at the mouth of the river near Arnold's boat house, and thus ended the career of this remarkable little boat." Incidentally, New London's early fame as a steamboat town was in connection,.with its importance as a center of the lumber trade and lumberman's supplies. The small 50-foot side-wheeler called the Little Pearl, was brought in from the Wisconsin River in 1857, by Charles Door - it failed on its route to New London and Shawano, so off it went to the Mississippi in 1859, where it sunk on the bar opposite St. Louis and was left there. For two years this boat did well because they had a contract with the government to haul Menominee Indians from New, London to their reservation. It seems the Indians insisted o n camping in New London (where the Reminder now stands) and had to be repeatedly hauled back to their reservation. The R.E. Evans, built in Berlin in 1857-80 feet by 18 feet-fared better. It plied the Wolf river and was in service until 1871. It was then dismantled and burned. A New London built small stern boat was the Eagle, built in 1858. It ran between New London and Shawano, but she soon left the route and ran between Oshkosh and Berlin. In 1865, she was sold and taken to Oconto and worn out. In the winter of 1859-60, the Keshena, a small stern-wheel boat was also built in New London. It was about 75 feet long, 12 foot beam, with one boiler and one engine 10 feet by 30 feet. It was also built by Door, and was placed on the Shawano route too. It did not prove financially successful, and was afterwards taken to the Red River of the South. She proved successful there and ran until worn out. In the spring of 1862 the side-wheel steamer Union, 105 feet by 18 feet, with one boiler, two engines 10 feet by 36 feet, was built at New London by Captain M. Stimson. She was placed on the Fox River route between Oshkosh and Berlin during that season. Stimson had planned to run his boat between New London and Oshkosh, but had an argument with city officials over docking rights in New London. In the spring of 1863 she was taken to the Mississippi river in company with the steamer Fannie Fisk and the tug Active. The tug played an important part in getting the Fisk into the Mississippi River. The tug was then purchased by the Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien Railroad, and was left at Prairie du Chien, where she was worn out. The steamer Union stayed on the Mississippi. After the war was over the Fannie Fisk was taken to the Rio Grande River. The Northwestern, built in Winneconne in 1863 was a larger side-wheeler, 130 feet by 24 feet. This steamer was used on the Wolf river until it wore out in 1883. During the winter of 1863-64 the side-wheel tow boat "76" made her appearance. She was about 80 feet long, 20 foot beam, one boiler, two engines 10 feet by 14 feet, geared by cog wheel to main shaft. Her machinery was taken from a locomotive. She was built at Berlin by Ruddock & Co., for Captain Dean late in the fall, and was sold to M. Stimson, who took her to New London, hauled her out and lengthened her and put in new machinery. The "76" came out in 1864 under the name of A.N. Lincoln (Stimson named her to honor our 16th President). She was placed on the Fox River route. In the fall of 1867 she was purchased by Morse & Paige, who in the summer of 1868 rebuilt her, changing her name to E.P. Weston and came out in the spring of 1869 under Captain W.D. Baldwin. She ran between Berlin and Montello on the Fox in connection with the St. Paul Road for several years. In 1883 she was purchased by (Nick) Garrow & Priest of Eureka, and was used for coarse freighting. By 1886 she was completely played out. Her machinery was then placed onto the large barge Bismark, and the new craft came out under the name of T.S. Chitterton, in command of Captain Garrow, who ran her until the fall of 1888, when her machinery was taken out and placed into the hull of the burned steamer Leander Choate. The latter, rebuilt, came out in the spring of 1889, under the name of C.S. Morris. Back in 1865 a Northport built side-wheeler was named the Montello -it was 80 feet by 16 feet, and was used on the Upper Fox later in 1874, it was dismantled and converted into the Lone Star pile driver. The side-wheeler Ella came from Wisconsin River in 1865-it sunk-was raised and name changed to Idaho, later Verona, and still later Rushford. It plied the Upper Fox and Wolf, but was finally abandoned. The Granite State, 85 feet by 20 feet, side-wheeler, was built in New London in 1865, ran from Green Bay to Portage dismantled in 1898, after being sold to the government in 1895. The Little Star "Badger", 60 feet by 16 feet, was built in 1867 in Winneconne and plied the Upper Fox and Wolf as a log tug. The Fond du Lac-1967-72 feet by 18 feet-towed logs and lumber on the Wolf until it wore out. The Energy built in Oshkosh in 1867 was a twin-screw, 120 feet by 26 feet, and plied the Wolf and Upper Fox. The hull was later bought by the Government. Also built in Oshkosh was the Northport in 1867, a stern-wheeler, 100 feet by 22 feet, was also used on the Upper Fox and Wolf-went to Mississippi river in 1871.-The Island City-1868, 110 feet by 24 feet stern-wheeler ran the Wolf and Lower Fox until it wore out. The Tigress, 115 feet by 20 feet, side-wheeler, route was Oshkosh to New London-it was dismantled in 1873, and was owned by the Wolf River Transportation Co. In 1868, Hannibal Dixon, Capt. Stimson, Wm. Mumbrue, H.C. Mumbrue, John Lynch and Tom Wall organized this Company. At one time they owned the steamers Tigress, Tom Wall, John Lynch and Milwaukee. Commencing with the early 1870's, a number of the river steamboats were transferred to lake ports, especially to Green Bay, due largely to the advent of the railroads, which first favored New London, the center of the lumber trade of the Wolf River Valley. The Milwaukee built in Winneconne in 1869-a side-wheeler,' 115 feet by 22 feet, was run in connection with the C.M. & St.P. Railroad from Winneconne to Gil's Landing. It was dismantled in 1894. In 1870, the Minnie, 70 feet by 16 feet, side-wheeler, was built in Omro and plied the Fox and Wolf. It was renamed several times to Jumbo, Cady, and Scott.-The J.W. Crawford-130 feet by 22 feet-stern-wheeler, was built in 1871 and was also used on the Fox and Wolf. In 1894 it's name was changed to Thistle. Built in Oshkosh in 1871 was the Abbe Neff -a twin-screw-90 feet by 16 feet. It failed on the Wolf, and went to Green Bay in 1872. Gabe Bouck; 1 71, small-screw boat, went to Green Bay in 1875, after being on the Wolf. The Tom Wall in 1873 took the place of the Northwestern and ran the Wolf until it hit a snag and sank below Northport in 1888. E.R. Learman, built in Winneconne in 1873, was a small propeller. It too failed on the Wolf and was sold to Green Bay. The John Lynch, 1876 burnt in 1901, after working on the Wolf. The W.W. Neff (1879) went to Escanaba, MI, after being on the Lake and Wolf. Menasha, a stern-wheeler (1880) burnt-route Oshkosh and Wolf. Ossian Cook (1880) twin-screw, ran the lower Fox and Wolf carrying lumber and cordwood to Oshkosh and returning with supplies, mail and passengers, until it wore out. W.D. Moore (1880) got laid up at Oshkosh after plying the lake and Wolf. The twin-screw S. Neff (1881) plied the Wolf to Menominee and later, went to Lake Huron-the Evelyn (1883) 125 feet by 29 feet stern-wheeler, wore out, after trips from Green Bay to Oshkosh. W.B. Hopkins, stern-wheeler was the last boat to be built in New London (1883). It carried freight and passengers. Went to Detroit river (1894) after running on the Wolf. Leander Choate (1884) ran the Wolf -and Upper -Fox burned in 1888. There was a second Leander Choate in 1908 K.M. Hutchison (1886) after Fox and Wolf work, burned in 1895. D.L. Libbey (later Hollister) 1888, was on the Wolf and Lake, while the City of Berlin (1889) plied the Green Bay Portage route. It later was called the City of Oshkosh, and burned in 1896. The City of Fremont on the Wolf in 1891, was abandoned and the Thistle, 1894, was still in commission in 1909, and even later, on the Wolf. The Laura May is not mentioned in any of the boat histories-yet according to Mrs. Burlingame Frisbie of Bradenton, FL (in 1974) who lived as a child in New London 1895-99, she had ridden many times on this boat, and was very fond of its owner, Mr. Lutsey. In fact, she called him "Uncle"-Captain Lutsey, a native of New London, was engaged in the steamboat business for many years, between New London and Oshkosh, before he entered the hotel business. Dwight Spaulding often mentioned fishing as a young boy from the Laura May, moored along the Wolf river. Back in 1897 the New London Fair issue had an excerpt as follows from the Marion Advertiser, written by editor Perry: "The Wolf River is being cleaned out by the government dredges for a better navigable water course. If this could have been done years ago, ere the advent of the Railroads in New London, some benefit might have been derived from this large expenditure of money." "What good is navigation on the Wolf now? Shippage is all done by rail, and now a person can walk from New London to Oshkosh as soon as the fastest steamer can make it." "The timber along the river is pretty much gone; lumbering on the lower Wolf, or running logs even, is done with, and there are no further uses for the old majestic Wolf only for pleasure boats and fishing, and if the government outlay for this river improvement had been put on the main highway between New London and Oshkosh, then there would have been an exhibition of sense in the matter." An Editorial from the N.L. Press, written by publisher Carr answered: "The Wolf River is far superior to the Fox River in point of beauty, and late years private steamboats. and yachts are doing considerable cruising." "'Our river is a delight for such with the bars and snags removed. New London is a nice little trip to Oshkosh in one day, and back the next." "There would also be quite a commercial traffic upon the river. Perry is mistaken about the expenditure. As this appreciation is very small, but the hope . . . is there for navigable conditions." The Paul L. built in 1907, a stern-wheeler, 124 feet by 21 feet, rode from Oshkosh to Tustin, and was active in the earlier 1900's as an excursion boat. It often came up to New London to take passengers to Tustin-I even rode on that one! It supposedly sank near Appleton in the 1920's. Others used as Excursion boats were the Thistle, Leander Choate, also known as the C.S. Morris. The late Charles Frederick said the last excursion on the Wolf was held in 1917, and he remembers the Frank Hoier orchestra from New London played for the occasion