Kitty Belle history

KPW · 12-03-2011, 06:22 PM

Looking for history on the Kitty Belle. It was used as a ferry between Black Cat and mainland. It apparently has been on the lake since around 1946. Any info is appreciated.

skprbob · 12-03-2011, 10:26 PM

I'm not sure of dates involved, but Kitty Belle was later owned by Tom Hunter of Melvin Village. It is now owned by George Randall, aka Randall Maintenance. George formerly lived on Cow Island as the caretaker for the Idlewild Association. He moved to Long Island after the association eliminated the caretaker position, but still runs his business and Kitty Belle.

Kitty Belle is the only true side-wheeler on the lake and is operated hydraulically.

SteveA · 12-04-2011, 06:10 AM

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...hp?photo=10074

Maybe this will help jog some memories.

Sandy Island fan · 12-04-2011, 06:37 PM

Here - if I did this right - are some more pictures of the Kitty Belle, bringing our fire truck to Sandy Island. (It was a tight fit!) Not historic pictures, but a historic day for us on the Sandy Island Fire Brigade!

NoBozo · 12-04-2011, 07:29 PM

I think the major advantage this boat has is:..It's maneuverability. It can do a 360 in it's own length. Turn on a dime.

A TWIN screw..in the hands of an expert skipper would not be able to replicate this..Close..but not quite.

NB

Jonas Pilot · 12-04-2011, 07:57 PM

... I talked to the skipper and asked if it was a fast boat. He said, no, but I can turn this on a dime and I can bring it to shore in any kind of weather.

Kamper · 12-06-2011, 06:33 PM

@ Sandy Island Fan,

I would disagree with you. I consider that an historic event, worthy of recording!

John A. Birdsall · 12-06-2011, 07:03 PM

I have been running a boat on the lake since about 1957 and have been to every cove on the lake. But I have never seen this sidewheeler. So I guess I have not seen everything. Nice ferry.

Barney Bear · 12-08-2011, 03:16 PM

We saw the Kitty Belle pass by our cottage on East Bear Island several times this past season. Reminds us of the car ferries on the Ohio River where we did our boating in previous years. Home port was Madison, Indiana, an old steamboatin' town.

Grant · 12-09-2011, 12:14 PM

Living in Melvin, we'd see the barge churning by almost daily when I was a kid in the '60s & '70s. In recent years, we didn't see it as much, but this year I saw it quite often. A real workhorse of the Lake.

ishoot308 · 12-09-2011, 01:30 PM

When I saw George this past summer he told me the Kitty Belle was for sale...

Dan

Misty Blue · 12-10-2011, 08:56 PM

If memory serves me right the first owners of the Belle were Bill and Filex (I think) Chipman from Black Cat island. Mr. "Chips" owned all of Black Cat back then and, I think, built the Belle to move things to the island. This is before the bridge.

My Big brother was the "ships boy" and helped Mr. Chips when he rented the barge out to the power company to bring power out to the islands on the Lake back in the 60's.

I remember being out on the Belle but not much more. It did look much bigger to the child than it does now.

So as you pass Black Cat island heading to Center Harbor look to the North. There is a small brown cottage that was Mr. and Mrs. Chips that has never changed since I was a kid. Think of the Belle still tied up there. A great piece of Winni. history.

Misty Blue

Cmjn98 · 12-29-2011, 06:44 PM

The Kitty Bell is currently owned By Rick Nolan of Cow Island and Kevin Beckett of Long island as of October 2011. The Boat is currently undergoing maintenance but will still serve the same purpose as it previously has. George Randall will still captain the Kitty Bell and is also helping with the work currently being done with her.

KPW · 12-30-2011, 11:04 AM

The only true side wheeler on Lake Winnipesaukee, is currently at Fay's Boat Yard in Gilford. Total restoration is under way. It is scheduled to be back in the water as soon as the ice is out.

It is currently under the new ownership of Lake Winnipesaukee Island Property Management (LWIPM), in partnership with the newly formed Island Transport Services. LWIPM has been servicing island properties for many years. This will allow LWIPM to service customers in a more efficient and timely manner.

hemlock · 01-01-2012, 04:09 PM

I was talking to Steve Hunter the son of Tom Hunter and he was saying that back in the 60s the Kitty Belle required repairs to the steel plates so they drove it to Lees Mill and pulled it out for repairs. This time its being done at the opposite end of the lake.

I remember when the Kitty Belle delivered the sand for our beach and the stone for our septic system on Cow Island back in 1967. We carried the stone to fill the trenches up the hill in metal buckets. It took us all summer.

Just Sold · 01-02-2012, 01:32 PM

KPW, Thanks for the photos. I saw the Kitty Belle myself at Fay's yesterday. Pretty impressive work boat. Took a couple of photos and posted them in photo post.

Just Sold · 05-05-2012, 08:04 PM

Looks like she is ready. All painted and I heard the engine start and run tooday. They also had the paddle wheel rotating and they checked the rudder movement. Looks to be outfitted for work too. What a transformation from last fall.

tis · 05-06-2012, 06:35 AM

Wow! She looks great! Will she be a workhorse again or just a pretty face now? I am so glad to see her brought back to life either way.

Jonas Pilot · 05-06-2012, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

Wow! She looks great! Will she be a workhorse again or just a pretty face now?

I was wondering the same about you!

tis · 05-06-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonas Pilot

I was wondering the same about you!

Well, I FEEL like a workhorse!!!!

KPW · 05-06-2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

Wow! She looks great! Will she be a workhorse again or just a pretty face now? I am so glad to see her brought back to life either way.

She will be a workhorse.

SIKSUKR · 05-08-2012, 12:13 PM

Great job of grooming on that Kitty.

surfnsnow · 05-08-2012, 12:53 PM

i remember back in the 70's they used to let us dive off of the roof - good times

KPW · 05-10-2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPW

She will be a workhorse.

What a transformation!!

Sal · 05-11-2012, 07:15 AM

What does "IWIPM" mean or stand for ??

Rattlesnake Gal · 05-11-2012, 07:24 AM

She has always been a real looker because of the special kind of boat she is. Now she is an extra special beautiful craft! I love that this old gal is still on the lake and that she is being so well cared for!

We first caught sight of the Kitty Belle in August of 2006. I am so glad we have more background for her now!

Kitty Belle - http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...hp?photo=10074
(On my phone, so I will have to insert picture at a later time.)

SIKSUKR · 05-11-2012, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal

What does "IWIPM" mean or stand for ??

I WIPM?Sounds like a scene in one of those movies that I've never watched.

Whats that boat being used for?

Just Sold · 05-11-2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal

What does "IWIPM" mean or stand for ??

"Lake Winnipesaukee Island Property Management"

I found this web site: http://web.mac.com/island64/iWeb/lwipm/Welcome.html

Just Sold · 05-14-2012, 01:10 PM

From what I saw on Saturday the Kitty Belle is not far from going in the lake. They had done additional metal work on the bottom of the hull and were painting it. I could not see any other obvious work that was needed to be complete but did not ask anyone either. I would guess that you will see her out on the lake very soon.

Barney Bear · 05-14-2012, 02:05 PM

As we were leaving Fay's Boat Yard this morning, a crane was preparing to lift the Kitty Belle onto a trailer.

Just Sold · 05-14-2012, 02:59 PM

I think they would put the Kitty Belle in the channel and drive her out as that is how she got there. I hope someone posts a photo or 2.

Cmjn98 · 05-20-2012, 09:27 PM

The Kitty Belle is In the water, Being stored where it was at Cow island and still doing the same services as it previously did. For information call 603.707.6674

Rattlesnake Gal · 05-21-2012, 06:00 AM

Kitty Belle looks absolutely beautiful!

ishoot308 · 06-07-2012, 08:33 PM

Went for a ride this afternoon to Ragged Island. Lo and behold what do I see but the Kitty Belle parked proudly by the docks! She must have been hired to help with the repair of the docks. Seems a fitting job for this historic boat on this historic island!!

Fantastic!

Dan

12-03-2011, 06:22 PM	#1
KPW Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 397 Thanks: 732 Thanked 118 Times in 59 Posts	Kitty Belle history Looking for history on the Kitty Belle. It was used as a ferry between Black Cat and mainland. It apparently has been on the lake since around 1946. Any info is appreciated.

12-04-2011, 06:10 AM	#3
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	Photo Post entry http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...hp?photo=10074 Maybe this will help jog some memories. __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

12-04-2011, 06:37 PM	#4
Sandy Island fan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 64 Thanks: 82 Thanked 32 Times in 21 Posts	More pictures of the Kitty Belle Here - if I did this right - are some more pictures of the Kitty Belle, bringing our fire truck to Sandy Island. (It was a tight fit!) Not historic pictures, but a historic day for us on the Sandy Island Fire Brigade! Attached Images

12-04-2011, 07:57 PM	#6
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	Many years ago ... ... I talked to the skipper and asked if it was a fast boat. He said, no, but I can turn this on a dime and I can bring it to shore in any kind of weather.

12-06-2011, 07:03 PM	#8
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	amazing I have been running a boat on the lake since about 1957 and have been to every cove on the lake. But I have never seen this sidewheeler. So I guess I have not seen everything. Nice ferry.

12-03-2011, 10:26 PM	#2
skprbob Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 19 Mile Bay Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 90 Times in 29 Posts	I'm not sure of dates involved, but Kitty Belle was later owned by Tom Hunter of Melvin Village. It is now owned by George Randall, aka Randall Maintenance. George formerly lived on Cow Island as the caretaker for the Idlewild Association. He moved to Long Island after the association eliminated the caretaker position, but still runs his business and Kitty Belle. Kitty Belle is the only true side-wheeler on the lake and is operated hydraulically.

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12-04-2011, 07:29 PM	#5
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	I think the major advantage this boat has is:..It's maneuverability. It can do a 360 in it's own length. Turn on a dime. A TWIN screw..in the hands of an expert skipper would not be able to replicate this..Close..but not quite. NB

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12-06-2011, 06:33 PM	#7
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,302 Thanks: 67 Thanked 171 Times in 127 Posts	@ Sandy Island Fan, I would disagree with you. I consider that an historic event, worthy of recording!

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12-08-2011, 03:16 PM	#9
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 495 Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts	Kitty Belle We saw the Kitty Belle pass by our cottage on East Bear Island several times this past season. Reminds us of the car ferries on the Ohio River where we did our boating in previous years. Home port was Madison, Indiana, an old steamboatin' town.

12-09-2011, 12:14 PM	#10
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,499 Thanks: 374 Thanked 229 Times in 123 Posts	Living in Melvin, we'd see the barge churning by almost daily when I was a kid in the '60s & '70s. In recent years, we didn't see it as much, but this year I saw it quite often. A real workhorse of the Lake. __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

12-09-2011, 01:30 PM	#11
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,226 Thanks: 2,382 Thanked 5,275 Times in 2,049 Posts	For Sale? When I saw George this past summer he told me the Kitty Belle was for sale... Dan

12-10-2011, 08:56 PM	#12
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	Captain Bill and the Belle... If memory serves me right the first owners of the Belle were Bill and Filex (I think) Chipman from Black Cat island. Mr. "Chips" owned all of Black Cat back then and, I think, built the Belle to move things to the island. This is before the bridge. My Big brother was the "ships boy" and helped Mr. Chips when he rented the barge out to the power company to bring power out to the islands on the Lake back in the 60's. I remember being out on the Belle but not much more. It did look much bigger to the child than it does now. So as you pass Black Cat island heading to Center Harbor look to the North. There is a small brown cottage that was Mr. and Mrs. Chips that has never changed since I was a kid. Think of the Belle still tied up there. A great piece of Winni. history. Misty Blue

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12-29-2011, 06:44 PM	#13
Cmjn98 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	New Owners The Kitty Bell is currently owned By Rick Nolan of Cow Island and Kevin Beckett of Long island as of October 2011. The Boat is currently undergoing maintenance but will still serve the same purpose as it previously has. George Randall will still captain the Kitty Bell and is also helping with the work currently being done with her.

12-30-2011, 11:04 AM	#14
KPW Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 397 Thanks: 732 Thanked 118 Times in 59 Posts	Kitty Belle set for restoration The only true side wheeler on Lake Winnipesaukee, is currently at Fay's Boat Yard in Gilford. Total restoration is under way. It is scheduled to be back in the water as soon as the ice is out. It is currently under the new ownership of Lake Winnipesaukee Island Property Management (LWIPM), in partnership with the newly formed Island Transport Services. LWIPM has been servicing island properties for many years. This will allow LWIPM to service customers in a more efficient and timely manner. Attached Images

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01-01-2012, 04:09 PM	#15
hemlock Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 62 Thanks: 1 Thanked 37 Times in 17 Posts	Kitty Belle repairs I was talking to Steve Hunter the son of Tom Hunter and he was saying that back in the 60s the Kitty Belle required repairs to the steel plates so they drove it to Lees Mill and pulled it out for repairs. This time its being done at the opposite end of the lake. I remember when the Kitty Belle delivered the sand for our beach and the stone for our septic system on Cow Island back in 1967. We carried the stone to fill the trenches up the hill in metal buckets. It took us all summer.

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01-02-2012, 01:32 PM	#16
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,615 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	KPW, Thanks for the photos. I saw the Kitty Belle myself at Fay's yesterday. Pretty impressive work boat. Took a couple of photos and posted them in photo post. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

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05-06-2012, 06:35 AM	#18
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,691 Thanks: 751 Thanked 1,449 Times in 1,007 Posts	Wow! She looks great! Will she be a workhorse again or just a pretty face now? I am so glad to see her brought back to life either way.

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05-08-2012, 12:13 PM	#22
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Great job of grooming on that Kitty. __________________ SIKSUKR

05-08-2012, 12:53 PM	#23
surfnsnow Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 173 Thanks: 133 Thanked 52 Times in 29 Posts	i remember back in the 70's they used to let us dive off of the roof - good times

05-11-2012, 07:15 AM	#25
Sal Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 311 Thanks: 103 Thanked 169 Times in 53 Posts	Gotta ask . . . What does "IWIPM" mean or stand for ??

05-11-2012, 07:24 AM	#26
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Kitty Belle She has always been a real looker because of the special kind of boat she is. Now she is an extra special beautiful craft! I love that this old gal is still on the lake and that she is being so well cared for! We first caught sight of the Kitty Belle in August of 2006. I am so glad we have more background for her now! Kitty Belle - http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...hp?photo=10074 (On my phone, so I will have to insert picture at a later time.)

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05-14-2012, 01:10 PM	#29
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,615 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	From what I saw on Saturday the Kitty Belle is not far from going in the lake. They had done additional metal work on the bottom of the hull and were painting it. I could not see any other obvious work that was needed to be complete but did not ask anyone either. I would guess that you will see her out on the lake very soon. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata