Elegant Features

Modern on the outside and luxurious within, the North Star was the longest-running and most-used Mayo riverboat. At $35,000, it took eight months and 15 men working in a specially constructed building - with a new power plant to run it - to build her in St. Paul. F.W. Dingle, who supervised the 1921-22 construction, imported wood from Honduras, Australia and India and used native white oak to frame her. Two boxcars loaded with cedar formed the hull. Leather chairs filled the cabin, with brass and nickel fittings on the main deck and a piano in the main salon, along with built-in bookcases, china closets and a buffet. Four carpeted staterooms housed guests; there were two suites for family members. Dr. Will's study crowned the boat.

Among many special touches were an Australian iron bark card table on the observation deck, which could be folded into the paneling when not in use, and a dumbwaiter to the crew's mess and storeroom. A separate galley door opened outside for wharf loading. Of course, there was room for an automobile.

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