Chautauqua Belle May Be Sold
By PATRICK L. FANELLI

‘‘Everyone looked forward to hearing that throaty whistle and the mesmerizing sound of the paddles.’’— Chuck Spinner, Ashville resident

8/10/2006 - MAYVILLE — Nearly three years after the Chautauqua Belle last traveled the waters of Chautauqua Lake, its operators are considering selling the steamship to an unidentified bidder.

According to a letter obtained by The Post-Journal, board members who own and operate the Belle will be meeting Saturday to discuss the potential sale.‘‘We have an offer from an individual who wants to buy the Chautauqua Belle,’’ the letter stated.It was signed by James Loutzenhiser — president of the Chautauqua Lake Historic Vessels Company, which oversees the attraction — and was addressed to all board members and ‘‘known Honorary members.’’ The letter included a proxy ballot for those who couldn’t attend Saturday’s meeting — one option in favor of the sale, one option opposed to the sale.

In a phone call with The Post-Journal, Loutzenhiser declined to comment on the matter, nor would he provide the names of other individuals on the Chautauqua Lake Historic Vessels Company board of directors.The Chautauqua Belle — the steamship that allowed passengers a scenic voyage around the north basin of Chautauqua Lake — used to operate every summer until the 2004 season.‘‘Everyone looked forward to hearing that throaty whistle and the mesmerizing sound of the paddles,’’ said Ashville resident Chuck Spinner, recalling when the steamship would sometimes dock at Bemus Point. ‘‘Everyone would come out to watch the Belle go by.’’Loutzenhiser and other board members decided not to launch the Belle for the 2004 season, reportedly because it was badly in need of repairs and the organization was experiencing financial hardships. That’s what prompted Loutzenhiser to ask for donations from the general public to help keep the Belle afloat.‘‘It’s just an unfortunate situation,’’ Loutzenhiser told The Post-Journal in May 2004. ‘‘It’s the only time we’ve gone to the public for support.’’

The Chautauqua Belle remained drydocked through the 2005 season. At the time, Loutzenhiser said board members hoped it would be ready for launch ‘‘by mid-May 2006,’’ but that never came to pass.

The Belle’s 40th anniversary came and went Aug. 4 with no fanfare, the steamship still drydocked at Mayville Lakeside Park off Route 394.Now, those with fond memories of the Belle worry about its fate and what would happen to it if it were sold.‘‘The thing we’re concerned about is what he’s going to do with the Belle,’’ said Ellery resident John Cheney, referring to the bidder. ‘‘Is he going to scrap it? Is he going to put it up in drydock and make a restaurant out of it? Or is he going to run it as it has been?’’Cheney was very active with the Chautauqua Lake Historic Vessels Company when the organization was still active and has been instrumental in getting it’s other attraction up and running — the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry.

A third attraction of the organization was the Sea Lion — a working replica of a 16th-century, three-masted, square-rigged British sailing vessel. The popular Sea Lion was sold to the Buffalo Maritime Society in 1992 and only returned to Chautauqua County after it sunk in Buffalo harbor in 1999 and was later recovered.

For those keeping a close eye on the Chautauqua Belle, the potential sale raises a number of questions. Where will the money go if the Belle is sold? What about all those who donated money for repairs? Who are the board members and the ‘‘known Honorary members’’ that will decide the Belle’s fate? Will it follow in the footsteps of the Sea Lion?‘‘I’m glad people are questioning this before the fact,’’ Spinner said. ‘‘There’s not a whole lot left that reminds us of those old days.‘‘We hope that a solid board can be established that will mirror the wishes of the community as to the future of this lake treasure,’’ he added.


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