STEAMBOATS

The era of steamboats on Lake Winnipesaukee began in the 1830s, and revolutionized travel and commerce across New Hampshire's largest lake. The Belknap, launched in1833, offered the first scheduled passenger and freight service, followed by the elegant Lady of the Lake in 1849—a 125-foot sidewheeler that dominated the lake for over two decades. In 1872, the larger, swifter Mount Washington debuted and quickly became the premier vessel for passengers and mail. Peak activity saw a dozen or more steamboats operating daily in the late 1800s, but competition from newly invented automobiles led to declining passenger numbers in the early 1900s. The tradition endures today, however, through scenic cruises aboard the diesel-powered MS Mount Washington.