Steamboats of Findley Lake
When we started this endeavor of the steamboats on Findley Lake we thought this should be easy. We thought there could only be 2-3 steamboats on the lake back at the turn of the century. Were we ever wrong! Not only were there several steamboats but even an electric boat. They have been in some cases difficult to name due to lack of clear information, or some boats may have undergone some major renovations during their life that changed there appearance and names. Our information is not an attempt to be complete but the highlights of some of the research John Swartz has completed about steamboats on Findley Lake which you can find at the historical society in the Community Center on North Road.
The Story of the Silver Spray - Single Decker 1896-1898 - Double Decker 1899-1910 - The Euclaire 1895 Only
After much research we find that the Silver Spray had quite a transformation.
The Eauclaire ,pictured below, was purchased from William Breckenridge by L.F. Swartz and improvements made and turned into the first Silver Spray a single Decker rear paddle wheeler. This must of been quite an undertaking since the Euclaire was a mid ship paddle wheeler they called a side wheeler. A name change was then in order to the Silver Spray.
The second Silver Spray was a ( double decked), stern wheeler steamboat. It was an entirely new and different boat? Building a boat of this size would be a tremendous undertaking. The 4 pictures are of the (double decked) Silver Spray.
One thing is clear it sure is a beautiful paddle wheeler and must of been an awe-inspiring site on Findley Lake on any summer afternoon.
The Eauclaire ,pictured below, was purchased from William Breckenridge by L.F. Swartz and improvements made and turned into the first Silver Spray a single Decker rear paddle wheeler. This must of been quite an undertaking since the Euclaire was a mid ship paddle wheeler they called a side wheeler. A name change was then in order to the Silver Spray.
The second Silver Spray was a ( double decked), stern wheeler steamboat. It was an entirely new and different boat? Building a boat of this size would be a tremendous undertaking. The 4 pictures are of the (double decked) Silver Spray.
One thing is clear it sure is a beautiful paddle wheeler and must of been an awe-inspiring site on Findley Lake on any summer afternoon.
We are sure the above steamboat on the left is the Eauclaire because you can read the name on the bow. The boat appears to be unloading are at the Lake Side Assembly Grounds. The boat is at the Lake Side Assembly . L.W.Swartz is standing by the helm so we think he has already purchased the boat from Mr. Breckenridge. Later on the boat is transformed into the Single decked stern paddle wheeler The Silver Spray.