Purgatory Post honors Maid of the Isles with new stamp

The newest stamp from Purgatory Post continues the New Hampshire local post’s occasional series picturing the steamships that have plied the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. The 6-sola stamp issued March 6 features an illustration of the Maid of the Isles, which was launched in 1877.

The Maid of the Isles had a rather eventful history. The ship cost $16,000 to build, but was sold for just $50 after it sank early during its career. It later sank and was raised again, but in 1914, the steamship was set on fire by arsonists and sank for a third and final time.

Purgatory Post operator Scott A. included some notes about the Maid of the Isles, and I was interested to note the buyer who paid $50 for the vessel had the last name Blackstone. That’s not the same spelling as my last name—mine has no “e” at the end of it—but perhaps there were some common ancestors way up the family tree!

Published 2025-03-17