The Mike Fink Keel Boats (1956–1994, 1996–1997) were a Frontierland attraction at Disneyland, offering guests a leisurely ride along the Rivers of America in free-floating keelboats inspired by Disney’s 1955 Davy Crockett and the River Pirates TV episode. Named the Gullywhumper and Bertha Mae, the boats closed permanently after a 1997 accident.
Here are 10 fun facts about the Mike Fink Keel Boats, focused solely on their features and history, as requested!
- Early Debut: The Mike Fink Keel Boats launched on July 4, 1956, as part of Frontierland’s expansion, complementing the Indian War Canoes and capitalizing on the Davy Crockett miniseries’ popularity.
- Film-Inspired Theme: Based on the Davy Crockett episode where Davy races Mike Fink’s keelboat, the attraction featured two 38-foot boats, Gullywhumper (Crockett’s) and Bertha Mae (Fink’s), with a backstory of their river rivalry.
- Rivers of America Route: The boats circled Tom Sawyer Island, passing landmarks like Fort Wilderness, the Indian Village, and Cascade Peak, sharing the river with the Mark Twain Riverboat and Indian War Canoes.
- C-Ticket Ride: Requiring a C-ticket in the 1950s–1970s ticket book system, the 7–10-minute ride was a mid-tier attraction, seating up to 32 guests per boat, though lines grew due to low capacity.
- Live Narration: Cast members, dressed as 1800s rivermen in coonskin caps or plaid shirts, provided live comedic spiels, recounting the Crockett-Fink race and pointing out river sights, enhancing the storytelling.
- Free-Floating Design: Unlike the track-guided Mark Twain, the keelboats were unpowered and free-floating, steered by a rudder and propelled by the river’s current, requiring skilled cast members to navigate.
- Seasonal Operation: The boats operated seasonally, typically spring through fall, closing in winter due to weather and maintenance needs, with both boats stored backstage near Fowler’s Harbor when not in use.
- Closure and Brief Revival: The attraction closed in May 1994 for Rivers of America refurbishments but reopened from summer 1996 to May 1997, running only the Gullywhumper due to Bertha Mae’s poor condition.
- 1997 Capsizing Accident: On May 17, 1997, the Gullywhumper capsized after rocking side-to-side during a trip, spilling 25 passengers and two cast members into the 4-foot-deep river, leading to the attraction’s permanent closure.
- Boat Retirement: After the accident, the Gullywhumper was scrapped, while the Bertha Mae was repurposed as a prop on Tom Sawyer Island, where it remained docked as a photo spot until 2003.
Bonus Tidbit: The Bertha Mae featured a small cabin with benches, while the Gullywhumper had an open deck with a cannon prop, reflecting their distinct personalities from the Davy Crockett story.
