Lake Maxinkuckee Its Intrigue
History & Genealogy

Culver, Marshall, Indiana

History of the Boats or Launches

The boats or launches of Lake Maxinkuckee were a colorful part of the lakes history. They first provided most the important needed commodity - transportation from the depot to the cottages that dotted the shores of the lake. They also provided pleasure and more so - as roads became more accessible and the advent of the car the importance dwindled down to the pleasure use.

We have been left with some irreplaceable memories of John and Bea (Rassner)Bigley of the launches. Also so did Daniel Mc Donald.

Below is what David Burns claims to have been a cinder from one of the Lake Maxinkuckee Steamboats of years past - the first is the front side at one angle and the second is the back side at another angle - Yeah I know a weird thing to save - hoard, oh welll...Why not?

Pictures of some of the launches that have not been identified can be found under the 'Unknown launches'. It seems that some of the launches from other area lakes or were moved back and forth between lakes:

Capt. JEWELL has removed his steamboat from lake Manitau to lake Maxinkuckee, the transfer being made yesterday. He will probably return it when the boating season is over, if not earlier. . . . Rochester Sentinel - Saturday, August 7, 1880

This is a list of some of the main known ones, a brief history and photographs that have thus far been found.

Admiral Rodman
aka Regina

Belongs to the Culver Military Academy. It was placed into service in 1935 as 'Regina' and was renamed the 'Admiral Rodman' in 1936. It had bunks and a mess; it was about 56 feet long, 19 foot beam, diesel powered and grossed 22 tons. It was in service until the late 1950's.

Admiral Yarnell

John William Bays designed the Yarnell, a grey destroyer-like boat 60 X 131/2, 14 foot beam; it had two seventy-one horsepower Buda diesel engines; it was 22 tons drew 4 foot of water and carried 10 tons of pig-iron ballasts and cruised 10 knots. It had Fore & Aft, single one-pound ceremonial cannons which were enclosed within simulated turrets. It bore the block number '224'. Built by Wilford Craft for the Culver Military Academy; it was the Culver Military Flagship. Was a replica of a twin-funneled destroyer. Named for Adm. Harry Yarnell, Culver Naval School Director. Christened in 1958 by Mrs. Allen R. Elliot at Fourth of July ceremonies. and on 26 Aug. 1979 for some reason it sank to the bottom of the lake.

It served till 1984 and during that winter was demolished.

Anna 1874 - Built by W. W. Hill A large sailboat.

Anna Belle Associated with Scott's Landing.

Aubeenaubee

Carol Owned by Capt. Lee R. Finney. Anchored at Maxinkuckee Landing. Sold to Dick Louden and Eddie Bobery. Was said to be the last of the lake launches.

Charlene

CMA Pontoon A large double pontoon paddle wheel workboat. This ponderous vessel, designed and built at the Boat Shop and powered by a 1941 Oliver tractor engine, is used for general maintenance of the naval fleet
Culver April 1896 - Built by Capt. Morris for Mrs. Lord. It replaced the Peerless & Aubbeenaubbee. Naptha Launch

Daisy
Dewey Owned by the Maxinkuckee Steamboat Co. (Crook & Lord, Capt. Crook, manager and Mrs. R. K. Lord, owner) Was 30 foot trimmed in brass.

Dixie This was just mentioned by name in John and Bea Bigley's article in the 1986 Marshall county history. Nothing more has been found on it - could it be a typo and was meant to be "Doxie"?

Dorcas

Doxie Found in the 7 May 1903 issue of the Culver Citizen:Capt. Crook's Launch "Doxie" was launched last Monday [27 April] and put in commission. He is now prepared to accommodate all early cottagers or persons desiring to go to points around the lake.

Elephant 1880's - A sailboat Built in Chicago and launched by the Lake View Club. A sailboat. It was originally built for service on Lake Michigan. It was 18 by 20 foot and at its time was the largest sailing craft on the lake. It was rumored about that there was danger of capsizing it. None of the club members were expert sailors and thus the Elephant - became just that to the club and its members. Eventually it was shoved up on shore, and a bonfire made of it.

Estelle

Owned by Culver Military Academy. Wireless Signal boat. Fleet Wing Built by Capt. Ed. Morris and used to transport people and material on the lake until the coming of the railroad in 1883 and the steamboats arrived.

Kittie Mac 1870's - A clinker was ran by Capt. Mc Donald

Lady/Lake Forrest or Welcome.
1885 - Newly built and launched by Capt. Morris. A side wheeler 50 by 14. Was first named Welcome. Was junked in the 1890's. Said to have ran at an angle. The hull laid for a long time near the railway depot.

R. H. Ledbetter
Placed into service 7 July 1984. It is steel hulled, 54 feet. It was funded by Robert H. Ledbetter it was constructed by T. D. Vinette of Escanaba, Mi. as much of the hardware and equipment was used from the O. W. Fowler as was the mast spars and sails incorporated into it. It was outfitted with a new Cummins diesel engine.

L. S. Finney
Lloyd Mc Sheehy
May
Owned by Capt. L. S. Finney and operated by Eddie Bobery. Sold to Dick Louden and Eddie Bobery Anchored at the Maxinkuckee Landing.

Maxinkuckee
Nancy Lee 1876 - Capt. Ed Morris. A sailboat. It was sold to the Peru Club. Before this one he had built the first flat bottom sail boat of which the name is unknown.

Nees-wau-gee
Niswauggee - Neeswaughee

O. W. Fowler

1940-1 - Was built in the CMA boat shop by Wilbur Craft who also designed it for the Culver Miliary Academy Naval School. It was a wooden hull 3-Masted 54 by 13 foot square rigger, beam of 13 feet and the mast soared forty foot above the deck; forty-two feet above the waterline. It had a displacement of 23 tons and carried 1630 square feet of canvas. It was outfitted with a 133 horsepower diesel motor which assisted her in leaving and returning to mooring and in calms or in contrary winds. Under sail in a moderate breeze she had a speed of almost 10 knots. Named in honor of CMA's Lt. Commander O. W. Fowler. And was determined not fit for service and was moored during the summer of 1983 except when it was towed to near the Culver Town Park for a final Moonlight Serenade. It then was retired 1983 and tore down. Named for Comdr. Orrie B. Fowler, director, Culver Naval School.

Katheryne 9 Jul 1903 Culver citizen - A New boat Capt. Morris has been at work on , a new sail boat for the last six month and it was completed and launched last week. It is a new departure in the sail boat line on Lake Maxinkuckee; being known as a knock-about. It is sloop rigged, 7 1/2 feet beam 24 feet over all and 15 feet and 5 inches on the water line. It carries 380 square feet of canvas and can beat any thing of her class that is on the lake. It will be named the "Katheryne" and Mr. Allen Williams has chartered her for the season. Her approximate cost was $600.

Peerless
Queen of the Lake 1852 - Built by Isaac N. Morris. A Flat bottom skiff.

Revluc Shortly before World War II the Revluc, a Richardson cruiser was a gift of Bertram B. Culver, Jr. It had been based at Harbor Springs, Michigan, and was well known in the yachting fraternity. It served the Naval School of 36 years into the 1960's. It was then scuttled off Perry's Point to become a diving site for scuba instruction.

S. S. Arlington >
Sea Gull Built by Edmund Morris. A large sail boat used to transport people before the steamers arrived.

Togo 1903 - Was launched by the Culver Military Academy. Said to have been on displayed at the St. Louis World's Fair.

Vandalia Was renamed from 'Bessie' when the railroad reached the lake. It came in February 1883 and owned and ran by William Davis in 1885 and named in honor of his daughter. It came from the St. Joseph River at South Bend. It was not a profitable investment as patronage was not sufficient. It was removed to Cedar Lake [Bass Lake] Starke county, Indiana.

Victor 1878 - Brought to the lake in 1878 from Rochester. It was launched from the Maxinkuckee Landing on the East side. It ended also in 1878 because there was only a few that patronized it and thus did not justify the owner keeping it on the lake. It was a was to small unpretentious boat it had a diminutive engine and boiler and was not considered entirely safe.

W. R. Mc Keen April 1883 - Came from Lake Erie from a Mr. Conover of Cleveland, Ohio. Launched by Capt. R. K. Lord.

White Swan

Unknown by name Sometime during the life of the Elephant - Ed. R. Wheeler of the Shady Bluff also built a large sail boat. It was intended to be the finest boat of its kind on the lake at that point in time. But its construction proved to be faulty and it leaked badly. Mr. Wheeler being so annoyed soaked it with coal oil, set a match to it sending it up in smoke! The name of the boat is unknown.

Last updated 22.11.2009

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