Steam navigation on Lake Coeur d'Alene lasted from the 1880s to the 1930s. More steamboats operated on Lake Coeur d’Alene than on any other lake west of the Great Lakes. The high point of steam navigation was probably from 1908 to 1913. After that railroads, and increasingly automobile and truck traffic on newly built highways supplanted steam navigation, although some vessels continued to be operated until the mid-1930s.
Operations
In September 1908, the Red Collar steamship line operated seven steamers on Lake Coeur d'Alene, which was 27 miles, running mainly in a north–south direction. The main city on the lake was Coeur d’Alene, at the northern, downstream end. By 1908 the city of Coeur d'Alene was connected by steam and electric rail lines to Spokane, Washington, about 30 miles to the west. The lake varied from 50 to 400 feet deep, and with the adjacent navigable St. Joe River, formed a natural water route just over 60 miles long.
In the summer months, in 1908, the Red Collar Line ran three trips daily on the lake to St. Maries, a 45-mile run, and two trips daily to St. Joe. In 1908, the steamer North Star, made the St. Maries run in 3 hours 40 minutes.
The fast steamers Flyer and Idaho were operated on the 20 mile run between Coeur d’Alene and Harrison. Winter service on the lake often required ice-breaking, which sometimes took as many as three steamers to force a passage through the ice.
Sources of coal in the area included Rosyln and Rock Springs.
Lack of regulation There were no federal steamboat inspectors assigned to Lake Coeur d’Alene, and there were frequent races, overcrowding of vessels, instances of drunken crew members, including captains and pursers, and other hazardous actions. Another dangerous practice was to haul dynamite at the same time as a vessel carried passengers. However, there had been only one fatal loss of a steamboat, that of the first Spokane in the 1880s on the Coeur d' Alene River, where five people had died.
Competition
In the early 1900s, there was an intense rivalry on the lake and the rivers between two companies. One concern was the Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe Transportation Company, later known as the Red Collar Line, which had been formed by Joseph Clarence "J.C." White and Jim Spaulding and his son, Harry. The other company was White Star Navigation Co., also known as the White Star Line, which had been incorporated by Capt. George Reynolds and McDonald.
In 1903, the Red Collar Line built the 147 foot long side-wheeler Idaho, which was described as "luxurious." In response, the White Star Line built the Boneta, originally 96 feet long, but later lengthened by 25 feet.
In 1905, while operating on the St. Joe River under the command of Captain Reynolds, Boneta was rammed and sunk by a rival steamer, the side-wheeler Idaho. This occurred just upriver from the O-W R & N bridge over the St. Joe River. Reynolds claimed that Idaho pursued him across the river with the intent of sinking Boneta. Capt. Jim Spaulding, of Idaho, said there was a confusion in signals.
A subsequent trial was not able to fix responsibility for the collision. Because the steamers on Lake Coeur d’Alene were not subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service, no government investigation was made into the collision. Boneta was raised and operating again for the White Star line in April 1907, making tri-weekly trips on the lake. In 1908, the White Star Navigation Company sold out to the Red Collar Line, which now achieved a virtual monopoly over transportation on the lake. Its fleet in 1908 comprised Idaho, Spokane, Colfax, Boneta, Flyer, Telephone, Georgie Oakes, North Star, and Milwaukie. The company also operated 14 barges as well as the tugs Rambler and Bonanza.
Points on the route
West side Starting with the city of Coeur d’Alene, on the west side of the lake from north to south were the following points: Coeur d’Alene (city). Cougar Creek, Casca Bay, Kid Island Bay, Mica Bay, Lyondale (as of 1912 terminus of railway leading west into Mica Mountains up Mica Creek), Del Cordo Bay, Loff's Bay, Len Landing, Black Rock, Rockford Bay, Windy Bay, Amwaco (a rail terminus after 1910), Farmington Landing, and Conkling Park and Hotel. Amwaco was the terminus of the Lake Creek and Coeur d'Alene Railroad, completed in 1910.
Saint Joe River At the far southern end of the lake, flowing in from an easterly direction, was the Saint Joe River, which was navigable for some distance. The river was about 2,100 feet elevation above sea level, and it was claimed that it was the highest navigable river in the world.
The St. Joe River valley was about two miles wide where the river flowed into the lake, narrowing to about one-quarter mile at the head of navigation. Within the valley, the river itself was reported to be at least 150 feet wide and 20 feet deep.
Points on the river included Ramsdell, Hell's Gulch, Cosmos, St. Maries, Ducommon, St. Joe City, and Ferrell, or Ferrell's, generally considered the head of navigation on the St. Joe. However, in 1896, the steamer Elk, under the command of Captain Reynolds, was able to reach Cottonwood Island, twelve miles upriver from Ferrell's.
East side from south to Coeur d’Alene river Starting from the mouth of the St. Joe River and moving from south to north, points on the lake included: Lacon and Harrison.
Harrison and the Coeur d’Alene River Harrison was located at the mouth of the Coeur d'Alene River, which was navigable in part. Points on the river included Harrison was located at the mouth, then Springston, Medimont, Lane, Roselake,Dudley, Old Mission, Cataldo, Kingston, and, at the head of navigation, Enaville. In 1908, Harrison was described as "the gateway to the Coeur d’Alene mining district, which produces half the lead mined in the United States."
East side from Harrison to Coeur d’Alene City East Point, Powderhorn Bay, Half Round Bay, Carlin Bay and Carlin Creek, Turner Bay and Turner Creek, Driftwood Point, Echo Bay, Squaw Bay, Hill, Wolf Lodge Bay, Beauty Bay, Wolf Lodge, Bennet Bay, Silver Beach, and Sanders Bay.
Steamboat graveyard Five or more steamboats are sunk in 30 to 45 feet of water at Stevens Point. These vessels are believed to be the remains of Bonanza, Colfax, Harrison, Samson, and St. Maries. All were deliberately sunk.
Companies and shipyards Carscallen Bros. of Coeur d’Alene. Owned the sternwheeler Shoshone as of February 1909. In 1901, the brothers set up a lumber mill near Coeur d’Alene city, about a mile down the Spokane River. Coeur d’Alene & St. Joe Transportation Company Ltd. Formed in April 1903, with James H. "Jim" Spauding, president, J.C. White, vice-president; J.H. "Harry" Spauding, secretary and treasurer. These officers, together with Jonathan B. Goode and James H. Harte, formed the board of directors. All the founders were residents of Coeur d’Alene city. The company began the construction of the side-wheeler Idaho the same month. Rebuilt Volunteer as Belleville in 1895, and operated it with the steamer St. Joe. Later known as the Red Collar Line. Coeur d’Alene Transportation Company. Formally organized on December 16 by James Lotan, Z.J. Hatch, M.W. Henderson, and I.B. Sanborn. first vessel was the sternwheeler Coeur d’Alene. Irwin Sanborn was captain and Henry Pape was engineer on the Coeur d’Alene. Sanborn sold Coeur d’Alene to the Northern Pacific Railroad and built a replacement, Georgie Oakes. Lyon Navigation Company, organized in 1896 and had Defender built by P.W. Johnson. Also reported to be owned by Joseph Boughton in the early 1890s. Northern Pacific Railroad. Owned the Georgie Oakes in March 1893 (or before) until September 1907. Johnson Boat Works. Owned by Peter W. Johnson (1861–1951), an immigrant from Norway. Active in 1907. A successor to the Sorenson boat works, a new physical plant was built and completed in May 1893. People's Transportation Company (I). In June 1892, the first People's Transportation Company was incorporated, with capitalization of $50,000, comprising 1,000 shares at $50 each. The officers of the newly formed company were George B. Wonnacutt, president, George P. Mims, treasurer, and J.H. Brown, general manager. The board of directors was composed of Geo. B. Wannacott, Geo. P. Mims, J.W. Stearns, J.H. Brown, A.P. Powell, A.E. McCarty, and D.H Budlong Upon formation, the company intended to build a steamer as soon as possible, and build improved wharf facilities and interchange with the Union Pacific at Harrison. The company was reported to be active in October and November 1892, operating Volunteer. Was operating both Volunteer and Corwin (or Korwine) in early 1893. People's Transportation Company (II). The second People's Transportation Company was organized in early September 1907 by Capt. J.W. Koonley, Capt. George E. Reynolds, W.O. Applequist, and H.W. Wright, for the purpose of running a general passenger and freight business between Coeur d’Alene and the head of navigation. The new company acquired Boneta and Telephone, and, from the Carscallen Brothers, four barges. Lake City Navigation Company. Began freight and passenger operations on the lake and the Coeur d'Alene river in September 1909. Had its office at the Johnson Dock in Coeur d'Alene City. Operated four steamers in September 1909: Seattle, Harrison, Wardner, and Mica Bay. All property of Lake City Navigation Co. was purchased in April 1910, by the Perry-Lyon Navigation Co. for the price of $5,000. The assets purchased included the steamers Harrison, Hercules and three barges. Perry-Lyon Navigation Company. Formed in April 1909 by the merger of the former competitors, the Perry and the Lyon companies. The new concern would operate the Lyons boats (Tacoma and Lyondale) and the Perry boats (Milwaukee and Spray). Formally incorporated on April 19, 1910. Red Collar Line. Under J.C. White, manager, the Red Collar Line operated four boats in March 1908: Idaho, Colfax, Spokane, and North Star. Also operated two tugs, Bonanza and Rambler at same time, as well as nine barges. Was also operating Milwaukee on July 4, 1908. St. Joe Boom Company, a non-profit association for the purpose of organizing and sorting logs, set up in 1902 by F.J. Davies of the Rutledge Timber Company. Had the powerful 85 foot tug St. Joe built by P.W. Johnson, and later came to own four steam tugs, Bronc, Western, Samson, and ERT, as well as two gasoline-engined vessels, the tugs Lark and Powerful. The company owned 8,000 boom sticks (used to confine logs into towable log rafts) as well a barge which carried both a dredge and a pile driver. St. Joe Transportation Company. Owned Echo and Volunteer in 1890. May have encountered financial problems by late 1892, as had past due taxes owing to the City of Coeur d’Alene.
White Star Navigation Company. Purchased Georgie Oakes in September 1907. J.D. McDonald, was the manager in late July 1907. In March 1908 owned Georgie Oaks, Flyer, Boneta and Telephone. Col. David P. Jenkins and Postmaster Milliard T. Hortson (or Hartson, of Spokane, held interests in the White Star line. In January 1908, Jenkins was the president of the line, and Hartson was the vice-president. Jenkins held the controlling interest in the White Star line. In April 1908, it was reported that J.C. White, manager of the Red Collar Line, had purchased the entire interest of Colonel Jenkins in the White Star line for a price of $42,500. This brought most of the freight and passenger traffic on the lake into the hands of the Red Collar line.
List of captains and officers
Adams, G.E., purser, North Star, March 1908. Amer, "Tex", cook on Georgie Oakes, 1908 or earlier, well known for his "lumberjack menu", which included, among other things, "Baa in the Rain" (mutton broth", "Prairie Rambler" (prime rib of beef", and "Grunt in the Orchard" (roast pork and applesauce).