Purgatory Post commemorates 19th-century steamship Belknap

Purgatory Post this month launched a new series of stamps picturing steamboats that have sailed on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire with the November 2 release of a 1-sola stamp picturing the Belknap.

1-sola Purgatory Post stamp picturing Belknap — Purgatory Post *Belknap* stamp

The Belknap carried passengers and cargo between villages on the lake from 1833 until 1841. The ship met its end in October of that year when storm winds blew the Belknap and a raft of logs that it was towing into rocks near what is now known as Steamboat Island, where it sank in shallow water. Purgatory Post operator Scott A. tells me the wreck site is popular with divers today.

I really like seeing local post stamps that commemorate local subjects, topics that are relevant to the geographical area in which they operate. This certainly qualifies, and I doubt too many people outside New Hampshire have ever even heard of the Belknap before now, but I’m happy to feature it here.

Published 2021-11-07

Comments

Moe (2025-11-30 22:29):

I dove on this reck when I was a young man back around 1967/68. The reck was easy to see from the surface near Steamboat Island. It was in about 10 or 20 feet of water. When I went down the remains of the ribs and planks lay skatered. I went out further in deeper watef and at around 40 or 50 feet I found the stern of the boat still intact. At the end were 2 pental bushings that held the rudder in place. I did not find the rudder. However I was able to free the bushings off. I donated one to the Melvin Village Historical Society in Melvin Village.

Kevin Blackston (2025-12-03 21:17):

Neat story! Thanks for sharing.