Steam Launch "The Sarah E."

From Berne, NY - a Helderberg Hilltown
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Steam launch, photo from Life Along The Way

The Steam Launch was built in NYC for the Thompkins family. It was shipped by rail to Altamont NY where Arthur Warner picked it up with a horse and wagon and brought it up the hill to Warner's Lake. It was named after George's daughter Sarah. Rides were offered for $.10 and passengers could board at the Lakeview Cottage on the north end or at Binn's Grove at the south end. In one of the photo's you will notice a flagpole in the foreground, there was an identical one located at Binn's Grove. If either location had some passengers waiting for a ride, they just raised the flag and waited for the launch. A novel way to communicate before the advent of the telephone.