Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum facts for kids
The museum in August 2020
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| Location | 77 Cookhouse Rd Samoa, California, United States |
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| Type | Maritime museum |
The Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum is a cool place in Samoa, California. This small town is right across Humboldt Bay from Eureka. The museum's main goal is to save and share stories about the sea history of California's North Coast. It has old items, pictures, and records.
The museum started in 1977. It is in what used to be the head cook's house, next to the Samoa Cookhouse.
The Historic MV Madaket Boat
One of the most special things at the museum is a boat called the MV Madaket. This ferry was built in 1910 right on Humboldt Bay. It was one of six similar boats. These boats helped transport mill workers from Eureka. They traveled across Humboldt Bay to different lumber operations.
The Madaket was first named "Nellie C." This was after a member of the Cousins family who built it. It worked as a ferry boat for many years. It traveled between places like Table Bluff, Fields Landing, Eureka, Samoa, and Arcata.
In 1972, the Madaket stopped its daily ferry service. This happened because the Samoa Bridge was built. The bridge made it much faster to travel by car. The Madaket was the last ferry to stop regular use.
Today, the Madaket has been rebuilt. It is now the oldest passenger boat in the nation that still carries people. Visitors can ride on its decks. They can see Eureka and the port from the water. A guide tells stories about the port and city's history. You can even visit its small tavern on board. It is known as the smallest licensed bar in California!
See also
- Clarke Historical Museum
- List of Museums in the North Coast (California)
- Humboldt County Historical Society
- List of maritime museums in the United States
External links
- Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum and the Madaket
- 36 Foot Motor Lifeboat
- Photographs of the Madaket and homes on Indian Island
