2006

2006 Moonlight Over the Broads

"Keen Kutter" knifes thru the moonlit waters of the Broads on Lake

Winnipesaukee, circa 1925. Built in an era when the prevailing theory was,

the longer and narrower the boat, the faster, it isn't surprising that when

Thomas Plant ("lord" of the Castle in the Clouds) commissioned Goodhue

and Hawkins to build him the fastest boat on the lake, they made it three

feet longer than any others they built. Launched in 1913, his 36 foot laker was

named for the leather cutting machine he invented for the shoe industry

and which brought him much of his fortune.

Steaming past Rattlesnake Island in the background, is the "Governor

Endicott". This 100 foot vessel was built at Lakeport in 1905 and operated

thru the 1920's, providing regular service between the railroad station at the

Weirs and Melvin Village, including a stop at the Hotel Wawbeek. It also

did an extensive excursion business, like these moonlight cruises.

“Keen Kutter” still cuts thru the waves of Lake Winnipesaukee. It recently

underwent a complete restoration and now resides at Cow Island in Tuftonboro.

Hopefully this image will evoke that unforgettable feeling anyone has

experienced following that simmering path across those dark waters on

their own moonlit excursions.