The Wreck of the Belknap--got answers?

[KTO]

I was just curious, but this past summer I went snorkeling around the wreck of the Belknap, and recently I've become curious to how the ship sank? Is there an interesting history or any cool tales regarding this wreck?

[Grant]

The Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society Web site has an excerpt from Blaisdell's "Three Centuries on Lake Winnipesaukee," which details the history of the big steamers, including the Belknap. Go to http://www.lwhs.us/steam-earlysteamboats.htm


Here's an excerpt of the excerpt from the site, with details of the mishap:

"The "Belknap" has not only the distinction of being the first steamboat on Lake Winnipesaukee, but it likewise was the victim of the first steamboat "disaster." In October of 1841 the boat was coming down the lake between Six Mile and Birch Islands, towing a raft of logs said to contain between twenty and twenty-five thousand feet. A northeast wind was steadily rising, and with marked suddenness the overcast skies lashed the lake into full fury. Under fair conditions the steamer was able to make only two or three miles an hour towing such a large raft; and on this day, when the wind caught the raft in back of the boat, all headway was lost; and the raft swung by the steamer towing the now helpless "Belknap" toward the point of an island. Some claim that even then the wreck might have been averted had the engineer not mistaken a signal bell from the pilot house and sent the engine ahead when the signal was for reverse. Two or three minutes later the craft struck the rocks, filled with water, and settled on the shallow bottom. The log raft was cut away and every effort was made to release the boat; but in spite of all attempts the craft remained securely wedged. The machinery was removed, and the hull, containing only the brick foundation for the boiler, was left where it had struck. Even to this day, when the water is calm, a little grappling will bring up a few splinters of wood from the "Belknap's" hull. I hesitate to tell this, as I would dislike to see a sudden influx of souvenir hunters picking at the bones of this Winnipesaukee pioneer. From the day of that accident the island where it occurred has borne the name of Steamboat Island."

[KTO]

Wow that is so interesting. . . ! Don't worry, I'd never salvage a ship. I think, like the Titanic, it should be left there for all to see untouched--preserved in history! And anyone else--no souveniers! That's just wrong!

[Grant]

I think that people in general are pretty respectful of "wrecks" in the Lake, although the amount of diver grafitti carved into the hull of the Lady of the Lake in Gilford might convince you otherwise. Then there's the cabin cruiser "Empty Pockets" off of Diamond Island -- it's name plate on the transom was torn off a few years ago.

But down here, in the "Wreck Valley" that runs along the Jersey coast and north, plundering wrecks is expected. Ships like the Andrea Doria, considered the "Mt. Everest" of wreck diving, were filled with China and glassware, which is highly coveted among divers. People come up from the passenger liner wrecks with BAGS of first-, second- and third-class china, glassware, etc.

In Winnipesaukee, it's the old bottles and discarded junk from year ago that I find so appealing. Yesterday's trash -- our treasure. The wrecks that are there generally don't have much left. It's the *unknown* and unfound wrecks, like the car discovered by Senter Cove Guy and "Empty Pockets" that was found by a fellow named Al who dives with DWC, that intrigue me most.