Steam whistle from the Steamboat International

In June 2003, we hooked up the whistle to a working steam engine at the Western Minnesota Steam Thresherman's Reunion grounds at Rollag, MN and gave her a toot. This is what she sounded like. It may have been the first time the whistle blew since the International was dismantled at Grand Forks, Dakota Territory in 1880. 

Steamboatmen used whistles to announce the boat's arrival in port and to communicate with other boats. Our whistle is a plain bell whistle, it sounds only one note. These were sometimes called "hooters."

Use your BACK button to escape the whistle!

Steamboat International at Fort Garry (Winnipeg), early 1870s.