Bessy B: A Timeless Legacy on Kahshe Lake
Bessy B is named for her original owner, Elizabeth Bowling, a teacher who began visiting Kahshe Lake in 1918. The boat became her pride and joy, often seen gliding across the water.
However, early photos depict Bowling holding a specially crafted long paddle, sitting gracefully and seemingly stationary. A lifelong spinster, she devoted many years to Bessy B before passing it on to Ruth Dundas, who bought Bowling's cottage. The boat was elevated on custom-built horses and housed in its own boathouse. Each year, Ruth's son Brian meticulously varnished it, regardless of its condition, while Ruth oversaw its care.
Ruth and my father, Vic Stringer, shared a special friendship and often discussed the beloved boat’s potential return to the water. Many would come to admire it, but my husband, Dennis, Vic's son-in-law and an engineer, took the lead. He began restoring Bessy B in 1982, and by 1985, we hosted a relaunching party at Miss Bowling's dock. The boat’s yellow cypress wood gleamed as it transported guests in period costumes around Kahshe Lake. It was celebrated as one of the top 10 Dispros, boasting a high percentage of original parts, including its floorboards.
In August 1986, to mark Bessy B's 60th anniversary, she was taken out of Kahshe Lake for the first time. The boat journeyed up the Indian River to Port Carling, passing the original piers of the Disappearing Propeller Boat Company. This very month, she returned to the site of her origins.
Since then, Bessy B has experienced a vibrant new life. She has traveled across Kahshe Lake, Lake Muskoka, and Lake Ontario, participating in several regattas. Her most notable adventure may have been a challenging trip up to the North Channel and onto Killarney, carrying four campers. Bessy B is rejuvenated.
What does the future hold for her? The fate of boats remains uncertain, and only time will tell.
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The Healing Waters of Kahshe Lake — With thanks to Clare Henderson, this story first appeared on his Healing Waters blog and continues the tradition of his cherished book series, The Healing Waters of Kahshe Lake. In conjunction with the Conservation Committee, Clare also helped curate The Kahshe Lake Archive — a growing collection of letters, maps, documents, diagrams, and historical photographs that illuminate the lake’s rich past. His dedication to preserving the spirit and history of Kahshe Lake has made this living archive possible. To keep the tradition alive, we invite you to share your own cottage stories and memories — and help carry on Clare’s work in celebrating the legacy of life on Kahshe and Bass Lakes.