The Riverboat "Irene"
circa 1900
"In 1889 Viebahn and an associate named Tully built a steamer which was launched early in June, 1900. It was christened the "Irene" in honor of Irene Hodgedon, daughter of S. H. Hodgedon, a prominent Aitkin businessman. "The boat had a checkered career in its brief period of existence. In August, 1900, it sprang a leak, and Captain Viebahn was compelled to run it ashore about eighteen miles below Aitkin. It was soon repaired and it resumed business for the rest of the eason. The "Irene" opened the season of 1901 toward the end of April and continued to ply the river until August 20, when it was destroyed by fire at its dock in Aitkin. Both boat and cargo were lost. The hull was raised from fourteen feet of water, but nothing of value was salvaged." (Source: "Aitkin 1871 - 1971" published in 1971 by the Aitkin Area Centennial Committee.) Read more about Aitkin's riverboat heritage here. |
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