Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - Sometime overnight Thursday, the Dixie Queen, 405 S. Dixie, North Webster, began sinking into Webster Lake.
Friday morning, Pat O'Connell opened the Lakeview Restaurant between 6 and 8 a.m. and noticed the boat "halfway in the water."
O'Connell said when he left Thursday at 4 p.m., nothing was wrong.
He said he believes a plug rusted through and the boat began sinking.
The cause can't be determined until the boat is raised and inspected.
Friday afternoon, water was being pumped out and the boat had been raised 3 inches in approximately half an hour.
"It must be working," O'Connell said.
The boat was docked and no one was on board when it began sinking, Lila O'Connell said.
When contacted at approximately 1:30 p.m. Friday, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said they had no information on the boat sinking and it was the first time they heard about it.
They reportedly were going to dispatch an officer to check on the scene.
A spokesperson for the North Webster police said they had no information when they were contacted at 1:30 p.m. Friday, but they knew it was taking place.
Dixie Queen is owned by Dan Thystrop, who could not be reached for comment.
