Lloyd McSheehy Steamer

1886 - Was launched by A. J. Knapp, owner of the Arlington Hotel. Another source says launched April 1892. It ferried passengers from the Arlington Depot to places around the lake.

Daniel McDonald wrote of the McSheey:

About 1886 Capt. A. J. Knapp purchased a small steamer which had been built for service on Pretty Lake, near Plymouth, but as there was no sufficient patronage to justify the owner keeping it there he sold it to Mr. Knapp, who launched it on Maxinkuckee lake in connection with his hotel, "the Arlington" christening it "the LLOYD MCSHEEHY", in honor of a son of editor McSheey [Henry James McSheehy] of the Logansport Chronicle, and it has been doing service on the lake ever since.

John Bigley wrote of the McSheey:

In 1886, Captain A. J. Knapp, owner of the Arlington Hotel and the Arlington station where the Allen boat house was later located, launched the LLOYD MCSHEEHY,named after the son of the editor of the Logansport Chronical. Captain Knapp was referred to as the "Sea Captain of the Lake". He was a conductor of the railroad. He would conduct the train as far as the station, then skipper his launch while a substitute took the train on to South Bend. George Nearpass, editor and publisher of Culver's first newspaper, the Marmont Herald stated that Knapp was known as the "Whistling Brakeman" on the train.

1897 - June 18 - Everyoue who visits our beautiful resort speaks in glowing term of the magnificent steamers that plow the crystal waters of Lake Maxenkuckee. Among the really handsome boats is the Lloid McSheehy under command of Capt. Knapp. This boat makes regular trips and is favored by a large patronage from the bon ton element. In fact it is a little daisy And skips oyer the water like a bird

1898 - Aug. 26 - Wm. Grubb has resigned his commission as captain of the McSheehy and has been detailed to the command of the the Outlet navy yard, a promotion of ten numbers on the naval list.

1899 - jul 7 - David Green, who has been sojourning at Terre Haute, is now pilot of the steamer Lloyd McScheehy

By a 'Snipet' in the Logansport Chronicle we know the 'Lloyd McSheey' was still around in 1903 and had sunk during the winter of 1903-4 -

I went down to the inlet yesterday to see Capt. A. J. Knapp's steamboat which was sunk by the ice during the winter. The upper works and smoke stack are alone visible. It will take a great deal of hard work to float the boat but as the timbers are of the best white pine there will be no damage. While down there I was hundreds of sandpipers... pg. 1 30 Apr. 1904 Logansport Cronicle

1910 May 5 ...I went down to the inlet yesterday to see Capt. j. A. Knapp's steamboat, which was sunk by the ice during the winter. The upper works and smokestack are alone visible. It will take a great deal of hard work to float the boat, but as the timbers are of the best white pine, there will be no damage.... Editor McSheey in Logansport Chronicle also Culver Citizen

1910 Jul 28 - A. J. Knapp raised his steamer the Loyd McSheehy in just one hour after canvas was placed around the deck. It arrived at the pier under its own steam. This is quick work and speaks will for the stability of the steamer.

There is hints the Capt Knapp had other boats also:

1904 - May 12 - Col. Knapp has purchased a new 18 foot launch of the Pierce Boat Co., of Raicine, Wis. Its arrival at the lake is expectod soon.

1907 - Aug 15 - The Woes of Our Lake Captain
The ways of women do no particularly appeal to lak captains. In fact they inveigh against the.

Probably our lake captains may according in Byronic tradition, br the mildest manner men that ever scuttled a ship, etc.; but they lack patience with the fair sex whose ways are incrutable and past finding out.

The woes of the captains are as follows:
Ladies order boats to their docks;

prehaps six or more will want the same boat at the same hour

The boat arrives at the first dock on time,

and a voice is hear from the cottage shouting, "Wait a minute~"

The lady retires to her boudoir to scatther a little more lily white over her countenance, and add a few marcel waves to her tresses.

The minute takes on a quarter of an hour and the steamer whistle blows farantically before she makes her appearance to come aboard.
This may occure at several cottages along the line, and methodical women who are ready to the minute assure the captain of the length of time they have been kept waiting and scold him in round numbers

The captain sits mute while peppery wrath is being hurled at him, not daring to "tell on 'em" those sister women the cause of all, who sit smiling at the annoyance they have caused the methodical women.

SUch is their inhumanity to each other. For the captain explain might precipitate alot among his best patrons

"Men, down-trodden men, God bless 'em", says the captain. "never behave like this." I believe the captains, like all of their sex, may be somewhat malicious in declaring such little delinquencies on women's part proceeds from frivolity.

Yesterday, wishing to take the steamer, and being detained less than five minutes. I looked out andsaw a mere speck bodding on the waves and nearing the opposite shore, and was told it was the steamer Lloyd McSheehy, and after the captain had been admonished to "wait a minute". Enough said. Selah. - Estelle Mildred Knapp, Arlington, Culver, Indiana. - - Citizen


1908 - Apr 30 - A.J. Knapp is giving the Lloyd McSheehy a coat of steel, which will make it absolutely waterproof as well as add to its stabiliry and durability.

May 6, 1909 - Capt. Knapp will put a new boat on the lake in May. He and Mrs. Knapp have recently been making ocean trips along the Atlantic coast with this boat which is 38 feet long, 9 1/2 feet wide, and has a standing roof, glass front, a dynamo, electric lights, searchlights, and life preservers. It has passed U.S. inspection and will seat 60 people.

1909 - Jul 8 - REWARD!!! I will pay $100 reward for the evidence to convict the party or parties who filled my launches with water and sand on the night of July 5. - A. J. Knapp

1909 - Aug. 5 - Arlington Boat House - Capt Knapp expects to had a boat house this fall for the new launch Mildred. It willbe 40X20 feet in size, with four or fine sleepign rroms in the second story and will coast about $800

1909 - Sep 23 - Capt A. J. Knapp is erecting a house 16X40 feet two stories high. The lower story is of cement blocks and will be used for boat storage, the upper story is frame and will be used as a club room. The building when completed will cost about $1000.