On This Date in Minnesota History: May 28

May 28, 1916 – By running a mile and a half for shore on a single engine and beaching his blazing craft on a sandbar from which all aboard waded ashore, Captain William McLaughlin of the excursion yacht “The City of Bemidji,” today saved the lives of his 20 passengers. The boat was burned to the water’s edge, quantities of gasoline aboard preventing effectual fire-fighting.

"The City of Bemidji"*

“The City of Bemidji,” which carried two women and two children, along with 16 male passengers, had left Bemidji for the Mississippi Dam, about 10 miles from Bemidji. The fire occurred in Lake Bemidji just opposite Diamond Point, where the boat was beached and passengers leaped into the shallow water, after a thrilling and spectacular race of 10 minutes.

Gas from an open cap in the vessel’s gasoline tank on top of the boat was spurting fire high into the sky as if from a blow torch and other vessels in the lake at the time feared to approach, as there was danger of the big tank of gasoline exploding.

The boat was ignited from a “backfire” and one of the engines was ablaze, the second carrying the craft to shore.

No passengers were hurt. The vessel, valued at $5,000, was owned by the captain and was partially insured.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Wade Ashore From Flame Wrapped Boat; Blazing Craft in Lake Bemidji Makes Ten-Minute Run to Safety.”; May 29, 1916; p. 1.

*https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4281823-big-boats-lake-bemidji

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