Keemar (1911)

While in mid lake before noon today, the 26-foot $600 launch, “Keemar” owned by Harry Masten, director of the Bemidji band, was caught in a sudden wind storm and capsized and sank in twenty feet of water.  Mr. Masten is constructing a summer cottage across the lake at Riverside and recently made almost daily trips, usually taking Mrs. Masten with him.  When Mr. Masten left shore, the water was as smooth as a sheet.  When about half way across the lake, the wind suddenly began to blow in gusts kicking up a choppy sea.  Finally one billow, larger than any of the others, caught the launch and rolled her over as if she were an egg shell.  Mr. Masten said he jumped into the water.  The water was very cold, when Mr. Anderson, of the Kelsey boat building firm, came along with a launch and picked him up.  The engine then quit on the Anderson launch, and both men were required to paddle to shore.  The “Keemar” was a new boat, named after the Boston music school from which Mrs. Masten graduated.  It was launched this spring and was one of the best boats on the lake.  Immediate steps will be taken to raise the boat, but its dynamos and storage batteries will be a complete loss.  (Bemidji Pioneer, June 8, 1911)