The Manchester Steamboat, Lake Winnebago, and an Indian Tribe named Brothertown.

Credit: Wisconsin shipwrecks
https://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org/Vessel/Details/49

The Manchester Steamboat holds a significant place in the history of the Brothertown Indian Nation. It was built by the Brothertown in 1844 and was the first steamship on Lake Winnebago. The Brothertown had relocated to Wisconsin in the 1830s, settling on the east shore of Lake Winnebago.

The Manchester was built using native woods on the east side of the lake. It was approximately 75 feet long and 13 feet wide, with side wheels, a single engine, and a 20-horsepower boiler.

The Manchester was welcomed with joy by the settlers throughout the area as an outstanding and important achievement, and they were justly proud of this successful undertaking. While the Brothertown were respected for their quality workmanship in building the Manchester, stories or rumors persisted that they themselves were fearful of the new boat (or “fire canoe”). Stories were spread that they even considered it to have an “evil spirit” designed to destroy the fish in the lake’s waters. One can imagine that the billowing black, choking smoke was a sight to behold.

In 1850, the Manchester was rebuilt and renamed the Badger State. In 1853, the Badger State sank in the upper Wolf River.

The Manchester Steamboat demonstrates the Brothertown Nation’s ingenuity and their adoption of new technologies in the mid-19th century. It highlights their presence and activities on Lake Winnebago, as well as their efforts to establish themselves in their new home. The Brothertown, who had been pushed westward by white settlers, established the state’s first Baptist Congregation shortly after arriving in Wisconsin. They have a history of adapting and continuing as a community, even through multiple forced removals and the ongoing efforts to regain federal recognition.

The Manchester was the only steam craft on the lake up to 1850. In that year, the Manchester was built over and called the Badger State.

In 1853, the Badger State was wrecked on the upper Wolf River. Following that, the W.A. Knapp was built from parts saved from the wreck of the Badger State. In a way, the original Manchester continued to live on.  In 1860, the W.A. Knapp was taken to the Mississippi River…”

Source: Wisconsin Magazine of History, volume 26, No. 1, September 1942.