The Lady Bemidji
Carl Carlson, Admiral, the Head of the First Steamer on Lake Bemidji – The Lady Bemidji Launched a Week Ago
Carl Carlson, the lord high admiral of Lady Bemidji, the first steamboat launched on Lake Bemdji. A week ago last Saturday he launched from his shipyard on Block A, a paddle wheel steamr 60 feet long and 20 feet wide on deck and of a draught of 18 inches. The young lady slid into the water as gracefully as a duck, and before her engines were put in, drew but six inches of ater, which as increased to ten inches after the engine was hoisted in.
The boat as built under the active supervision of John A. Burkman, who came to Bemidji from Calumet shipyard for the purpose, and who received his engineering and boat building education at Port Huron yards.
The deck of the vessel has been housed since launching and the rooms will be nicely furnished for comfort of passengers, into two sitting rooms the engine setting well to the rear. The upper deck will be floored for dancing and will carry a canopy top, so that quite an excursion party will find Terpsichore a portion of their trips.
The boat has been licensed to carry 200 passengers, and be commanded by Mr. Burkman who will also act as engineer. By June 25th it is expected she will be open to engagements, and then all Bemidji will be asked to turn out and dedicate her. Carl has invested about $1,200 in the vessel, and Bemidji is to be congratulated on at length having something to accommodate lake excursionists. (Bemidji Weekly Pioneer, June 16, 1898)