Page 18. MAINE COASTAL NEWS March 2012 Help Save the Steamer KATE


MOOSEHEAD LAKE – For those of us who venture away from the coast from time to time, one of our favourite places is Moosehead Lake. Coming over the last hill and seeing this huge lake spread out in front of you is one of the most spectacular views in the State of Maine. It was not long ago when the lumber industry was pulling logs across the lake using steam vessels. One of the treasurers of this region is the steamer KATAHDIN, which is run by the Moosehead Marine Museum, but she now needs your help.


KATE sitting at her dock in Greenville on Moosehead Lake. HISTORY FOR YOURWALLS


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40 E. Main St. (U.S. Rte.), Searsport  wwwenobscotMarineMuseum.org


In 2012, KATE as she is affectionately known, is going to have to undergo a major bottom job. She is going to need sandblasting, partial keel replacement, and bottom paint. This means she will require either to be dry-docked or hauled up on the hard to complete this restoration project. All of this will cost approximately $500,000. Supporters of KATE have been able to raise about $200,000, but need to raise another $300,000 or so by next August so they can haul her at the end of this year’s cruising season.


As part of the fundraiser the Moosehead Marine Museum has secured a booth at the Maine Boatbuilders’s Show in Portland on 16-18 March. They hope by doing this that they can get businesses and the public excited about getting involved in donating money and/or services or material for the bottom’s restoration.


This project has been named McKeil’s Keel after USM Professor ‘Duke’ McKeil, who spent so much time and effort, first helping save the KATAHDIN from destruction in 1976, redefining its role in life and leading a group of local citizens and


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business people to establish what is known today as the Moosehead Marine Museum. Professor McKeil sadly passed away this past September. “Duke” was Professor Emeritus in the College of Business at USM for over 30 years, was loved and respected by all of his students and faculty, many of whom it is hoped will support this project. What most people fail to realize is the economic impact of KATE on the Moosehead Lake region. She makes scheduled voyages around the lake from Memorial to Columbus Day. They also charter her for special events, such as weddings and Rock & Roll cruises. KATE was built at Bath Iron Works in 1914. An article appeared in the June 1914 issue of the Maine Industry Journal, “The new steel passenger boat for the Coburn Steamship Co., to take the place on Moosehead Lake of the one burned last fall is now completed. This is the first steel passenger boat on the lake and will take the name of the old steamer, KATAHDIN. Its route is Greenville, Mt. Kineo and N. E. Carry. It is the largest boat on the lake and dimensions are 126 feet long and 24 feet beam. It has three decks and a passenger capacity of 700 passengers. The engines and boiler of the steamer KATAHDIN, destroyed by fire, were used in the new boat. The engine is compound, 15 and 28 x 18. It is expected that the boat will show a speed of 14 miles. P. J. Robinson, manager of the Coburn Steamship Co., is to command the new craft.”


KATE was later converted from steam to diesel power. She is also now listed as a National Historic Landmark.


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The Moosehead Marine Museum, who operates KATE, was formed in 1976 using KATE as their main attraction. Since their founding they have amassed a fine collection of steamboat items. One can trace the history of steamers on the lake back to 1836. Over the past 176 years there has been approximately fifty steamers plying the lake. They carried passengers, livestock, mail, supplies and equipment, mostly for the lumber and tourist industry. The advent of roads around the lake decreased the need for the steamers, but KATE remained and continued to haul logs around the lake until 1975.


If you are interested in helping to save a true maritime treasure call (207) 695-2716 or (207) 671-0540.


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200 Maine Street, Brunswick www.bamforthmarine.com


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