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boatingonthehudson.com
During the 1950s and 60s the Mohican and the Ticonderoga
only seemed to have long trips. It then became obvious that
there was a need for a boat that would run short, 1 hour long
trips, that wouldbe more accommodating for increasingly
busy families with lots of children. The decision to build the
Minne was made.
Originally the Minne was planned to be a side-wheel
steamship, instead of the stern-wheel steamship she is today.
But she would have appeared too wide when compared with
its short length. So the decision was made to make her a
stern-wheel steamship, like all the steamships of the south.
The ship was designed by H.M. Tiedemann Company in
NYC. Construction began at our shipyard in Baldwin (few
miles south of Ticonderoga) on October 2, 1968. The hull
was completed on December 6th of that year. She was then
towed down to the steel pier in Lake George by the Mohican
where she was completed during the duration of that winter at
a cost of $270,000. The Frederick H. Semple Manufacturing
Company in St. Louis, Missouri designed and built her steam
engines (which produce a tad under 200 horsepower from
6,000 pounds of steam per hour).
The Captain on the Minne has no direct control over the
speed that the Minne is traveling at or if she is to go in forward
or reverse. The captain relays these commands down to the
engineer in the engine room through a series of bell rings.
At the time she measured 103 feet long and 30 feet
wide. She weighed a mere 200 tons and drafted only 3.5
feet of water. Of course her bow design didnt allow for
much speed and she could only hit a max of 7mph.
She was christened on July 30, 1969 and given the
name “Minne Ha Ha” which means “Laughing Waters”
in the local Native American language. 2 days later the
Minne began her daily schedule of 1-hour long trips.
The Boat ran so successfully throughout her first
30 years of service that the design was made that she
was to be lengthened and modified to not only be able
to accommodate more passengers, but to also be more
accommodating to the passengers riding her. In the
winter of 1998-1999 she was brought up on our drydock
and then cut in half, and then had a section of 34 feet
added to her midships. This would bring her total length
to 137 feet and bring her to weigh 250 tons. Also added
was a handicapped elevator, improved snack bars and gift
shops, and an emergency diesel propeller (added under
her paddlewheel) which could be engaged and used
whenever she lost steam power (which has happened and
left her stranded numerous times during her 43 year long
career.
And she still sails on today, providing entertainment for
both the kids and parents riding her as well as the kids and
parents watching from the shore. She has provided joy to
so many people who have ridden aboard her over the last
43 years, we hope that she will stick around for another 43.
LAKE GEORGE
STEAMBOAT COMPANY
Minne Ha Ha
In and About the
Adirondacks
200 YEARS OF CONTINOUS SERVICE