History of Sunken Steamboats on Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake wasn’t always the popular summer vacation destination that it is today. Its earliest settlements were focused on the timber industry. While sailboats and powerboats are now the biggest boats on the water— this wasn’t always the case! Steamboats served as a crucial means of transport for the timber industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Evidence of this unique era in Flathead Lake history can still be found around the lake today!

The Use of Steamboats on Flathead Lake

Steamboats played a significant role in Flathead Lake history. From the late 1800’s to the early 1900s, there was a boom in harvesting timber from the dense forests around the Flathead, spurred by the arrival of the Great Northern Railroad. Roads were not yet developed, making boats the only practical means of transport for moving people and goods around the valley.

As the demand for timber thrived, sawmills sprang up around the lake, and towns like Somers formed and were populated by laborers in the industry. Steamboats were necessary for moving logs from the harvest site to the sawmill where they would be processed. They were also essential for ferrying passengers, connecting the lakeside communities, and carrying freight.

Artifacts of Flathead Lake History

There is plenty of evidence of this fascinating time in Flathead Lake history around today if you know where to look. The Flathead Maritime Archaeology Project, along with the Bigfork Art and Cultural Center, is working to document and recover the remains of the sunken steamboats. More intact artifacts can be found in the BACC and other museums around the Flathead.

Additionally, you can still spot the ruins of some of the trestles around the lake, which were used to transfer wood between trains and the steamboats. Hundreds of logs that were lost during transport and subsequently sank to the bottom of the lake remain there today, preserved by the cold water. Efforts are being made to recover some of the valuable logs, which are used in high-end carpentry projects. Imagine all the impressive Flathead Lake history still sitting at the bottom of the lake!

How Many Boats Have Sunk in Flathead Lake?

It is estimated that more than twenty-five steamboats operated on the Flathead, and at least six of them sank. The three documented sites are:

Kee-O-Mee: Sank from a fire in Sommers Bay.

Pocahontas: Sank near the Melita Islands due to damage during a storm, later known as the “Silver City Wreck.”

Helena: Abandoned near Bigfork in the 1930s as steamboat use declined with the rise of automobiles.

Avoid Adding Your Boat to the Lake Floor

While Flathead Lake generally offers easy sailing conditions and is a great place for beginners to learn, accidents can happen anywhere, especially when sailors are not properly trained. This puts both expensive property and even people at risk. To ensure you are armed with the knowledge you need to sail safely, check out courses at Montana’s only ASA-certifying sailing school. Don’t just read about Flathead Lake history, become part of its ongoing story by learning to sail and experiencing it for yourself.