Excerpt from Three Centuries on Winnipesaukee

Rattlesnake Gal · 10-12-2004, 07:48 AM

Excerpt from Three Centuries on Winnipesaukee
by Paul H. Blaisdell
Originally published by the author in 1936
Second Edition, 1975

Mount Washington Run Aground

It was a Thursday morning early in the season of 1910 when the “Mount” was delayed leaving Center Harbor by a heavy fog rolling across the lake. After some wait the mist began to lift and when there was fair visibility for a half a mile, Captain Blackstone gave orders to sail, proceeding out of Center Harbor with caution. As the boat swung around on a stern line to head out from a dock, the captain satisfied himself that all was well on deck and then went aft to the engine-room as he usually did when leaving the harbor. Arriving there he noticed that the engineer had been given a full speed ahead indication, and believing that the fog had lifted completely to warrant this signal the captain went forward to climb the “cat walk” ladder to the upper deck and pilot house. Once on the lower deck he noticed that the fog had shut down again all around the boat, and that there was scarcely visibility to the bow. Captain Blackstone started for the pilot house to signal the engine room for a stop, and had succeeded in ringing the bells for stopping and reversing the engine and having these signals answered, when the “Mount” struck the ledges at Mile Island, lifting her bow out of the water and sliding her upon the sloping granite shelf to a point a little forward of amidships.

It was soon determined that no damage had been done to the hull, and, as the side-wheels were still in the water, a few attempts were made to back the boat off under her own power, but without success. Meanwhile the fog lifted again, and when nearby residents saw the plight of the boat, they immediately put out in small craft to lend assistance. All the passengers were removed and returned to Center Harbor, and word of the accident was sent to the Boston and Maine Railroad offices in Boston.

That evening a wrecker and crew were dispatched to The Weirs, and on the following morning, with two barges and much equipment, they arrived at Mile Island and began work. Throughout the day, Friday, they labored without the desired results. The hull was secure on its rocky base. Meanwhile the “Mounts” competitors had not been idle, and by Friday afternoon posters and handbills began to be seen around the lake advertising:

Grand Sunday Excursion
To
Center Harbor
See the Wreck of the Steamer
Mount Washington

Throughout Saturday morning the fruitless efforts continued until, in the early afternoon, at the insistence of Captain Blackstone, the two barges were moved into place on each side of the boat at the stern. A huge timber was passed across the steamer’s deck, with chains attached at each end. The chain was submerged and brought into place under the keel. Jacks were then used to lift on the timber, and the stern was slowly raised to bring the vessel to a more nearly level position, but not enough to lift the side-wheels from the water. This eased the hull at the bow, and with a few turns of the engine the “Mount” backed away from the ledge. Not a single plank had been damaged by the accident. Needless to say the prospective Sunday excursionists were disappointed, for the “Mount Washington” resumed her schedule on that day.

10-12-2004, 07:48 AM	#1
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Excerpt from Three Centuries on Winnipesaukee and Other Historical Stuff Excerpt from Three Centuries on Winnipesaukee by Paul H. Blaisdell Originally published by the author in 1936 Second Edition, 1975 Mount Washington Run Aground It was a Thursday morning early in the season of 1910 when the “Mount” was delayed leaving Center Harbor by a heavy fog rolling across the lake. After some wait the mist began to lift and when there was fair visibility for a half a mile, Captain Blackstone gave orders to sail, proceeding out of Center Harbor with caution. As the boat swung around on a stern line to head out from a dock, the captain satisfied himself that all was well on deck and then went aft to the engine-room as he usually did when leaving the harbor. Arriving there he noticed that the engineer had been given a full speed ahead indication, and believing that the fog had lifted completely to warrant this signal the captain went forward to climb the “cat walk” ladder to the upper deck and pilot house. Once on the lower deck he noticed that the fog had shut down again all around the boat, and that there was scarcely visibility to the bow. Captain Blackstone started for the pilot house to signal the engine room for a stop, and had succeeded in ringing the bells for stopping and reversing the engine and having these signals answered, when the “Mount” struck the ledges at Mile Island, lifting her bow out of the water and sliding her upon the sloping granite shelf to a point a little forward of amidships. It was soon determined that no damage had been done to the hull, and, as the side-wheels were still in the water, a few attempts were made to back the boat off under her own power, but without success. Meanwhile the fog lifted again, and when nearby residents saw the plight of the boat, they immediately put out in small craft to lend assistance. All the passengers were removed and returned to Center Harbor, and word of the accident was sent to the Boston and Maine Railroad offices in Boston. That evening a wrecker and crew were dispatched to The Weirs, and on the following morning, with two barges and much equipment, they arrived at Mile Island and began work. Throughout the day, Friday, they labored without the desired results. The hull was secure on its rocky base. Meanwhile the “Mounts” competitors had not been idle, and by Friday afternoon posters and handbills began to be seen around the lake advertising: Grand Sunday Excursion To Center Harbor See the Wreck of the Steamer Mount Washington Throughout Saturday morning the fruitless efforts continued until, in the early afternoon, at the insistence of Captain Blackstone, the two barges were moved into place on each side of the boat at the stern. A huge timber was passed across the steamer’s deck, with chains attached at each end. The chain was submerged and brought into place under the keel. Jacks were then used to lift on the timber, and the stern was slowly raised to bring the vessel to a more nearly level position, but not enough to lift the side-wheels from the water. This eased the hull at the bow, and with a few turns of the engine the “Mount” backed away from the ledge. Not a single plank had been damaged by the accident. Needless to say the prospective Sunday excursionists were disappointed, for the “Mount Washington” resumed her schedule on that day. Last edited by Rattlesnake Gal; 12-09-2004 at 07:14 AM.