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A ROCKY MOUNTAIN STEAM- BOAT LINE. There is a line of steamers operat- ing on Lake Coeur d'Alene and the St. Joseph river in the heart of the motntainous state of Idaho, which on account of its unique surroundings and the character of territory served is unusual and remarkable in marine affairs. Lake Coeur d'Alene is situated in the northwestern "panhandle" portion of Idaho, 30 miles east of Spokane, Wash., from which city it is reached by electric and steam railways. The lake is 27 miles in length, with its long axis lying north and south. At its southern extremity enters the St. Joseph river (familiarly termed the STEAMER SPOKANE, RED COLLAR LINE. shadowy St. Joe) which winds in a general easterly. direction. into. the heart of the Coeur d'Alene moun- tains. This river is one of the most remarkable streams on the American continent. Its altitude is a little over 2,100 ft. above sea level, and it is claimed that it is the highest naviga- ble river in the world. The valley is about two miles wide at its lower end, tapering to scarce a quarter of a mile at the head of navigation, 40 miles from the lake. Across the floor of this valley winds the river, which is at no point less than 150 ft. wide and 20 ft. deep. Mountains rising from 1,000 to 2,000: ft. above the tiver bed flank the valley on both sides. The stream is virtually a nat- TAE Marine Review ural canal leading into the mountains and at most seasons of the year has no perceptible current. Lake Coeur d'Alene is from 50 to 400 ft. deep, and the lake and river together form 35 tor of the extensive line of steamers now found in this district was the 50- ft. propeller Echo, which established tri-weekly service from Coeur d'Alene to St. Joe, the head of navigation, in BREAKING ICE ON THE ST. JOE RIVER IN WINTER. a natural highway miles in length. In 1879 the United States army built the first steamer operated 'on this waterway. She was named Ame- lia Wheaton and.was a part of the equipment of old Fort Coeur d'Alene, then maintained at the north end of the lake, where now stands the busy little city of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Amelia Wheaton was a stern paddle wheel: craft, 100. tt: dong by 16: i. beam, designed and built by Capt. slightly over 60 1886. In 1888 Amelia Wheaton was sold to private parties who operated her on a regular schedule on the lake. One of the men most promi- nently connected with the develop- ment of navigation in this region is William Ferrell, who now resides at Ferrell, Idaho. Mr. Ferrell has been actively interested in the development of the business from its inception to the present day and is now owner of the 80-ft. stern wheel steamer Ferrell. The. valley of the St. Joe fiver i . STEAMER IDAHO ON THE UPPER ST. JOE RIVER. Sorrenson, and was used to chase Indians and to carry wild hay from the upper St. Joe valley, where it grows luxuriantly, to the post at the lower end of the lake. The progeni- now settled with prosperous farmers, extensive lumbering and mining oper- ations are carried on in the hills, while on the river are the two thriving 'vil- Jages of St.- Maries and St. Joe. At