Dart (steamboat) facts for kids
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Dart
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | Dart |
| Operator | McDowell Trans. Co.; Anderson Tug; others. |
| Route | Puget Sound |
| Completed | 1911 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 74 |
| Length | 57 ft 4 in (17.5 m) |
| Beam | 17 ft 4 in (5.3 m) |
| Depth | 5 ft 2 in (1.6 m) depth of hold |
| Installed power | steam engine |
| Propulsion | propeller |
The steamboat Dart was a busy little ship that worked in the early 1900s. She was part of the famous Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet. This fleet was a huge group of steamboats. They carried people, mail, and goods all around Puget Sound in Washington state. The Dart was known for being quite small, even for the Mosquito Fleet!
Contents
Building the Dart
The Dart was built in 1911. A man named Matthew McDowell built her. He was a well-known steamboat captain. The ship was constructed in Tacoma, Washington. Captain McDowell wanted the Dart for his own shipping company.
Early Journeys in Washington
The Dart's first job was on a route connecting Seattle and Tacoma. She also traveled to places on the East Pass. This was a busy area for trade and travel. The Dart worked hard on this route for about seven years.
New Adventures in Alaska
Around 1918, Captain McDowell sold the Dart. Her new owners were W.T. Hale and P.C. McCormick. They were from Wrangell, Alaska. The Dart was then changed from a steamboat to a motor vessel. This meant she no longer used steam power. Instead, she used an engine like a car. Her new job was to carry mail. She delivered mail between Wrangell and Prince of Wales Island. Later, she was sold again to Paul S. Charles. He was involved in shipping interests in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Back to Puget Sound
In 1925, the Dart came back to Puget Sound. The Anderson Tug Company bought her. They changed her job again. This time, she became a tugboat. Tugboats are strong boats that pull other, larger ships. They help big ships move in and out of harbors.
What Happened to the Dart?
In 1928, the Dart had a fire on Puget Sound. She was waiting to be taken apart, a process called scrapping. Even though she burned, some parts were saved. Her powerful engines were taken out. These engines were then put into a new ferry. This ferry was called the City of Mukilteo.
Interestingly, the Dart's hull was still in good shape. The hull is the main body of the ship. It was rebuilt and became a diesel freighter. A freighter is a ship that carries cargo. The rebuilt Dart then went to work. She traveled on routes out of Juneau, Alaska. So, even after a fire, parts of the Dart kept working!
