Nobska (steamship) facts for kids
The Nobska was a special steamship that sailed the waters of Nantucket Sound as a ferry. She was part of The Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority's fleet from 1925 to 1973. Even though many people tried to save her, she was eventually taken apart for scrap in 2006. The Nobska was America's last coastal steamer on the East Coast. She was even listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Maryland. Many considered her one of America's 10 most endangered maritime treasures.
The Nobska, possibly headed out of Nantucket harbor after just rounding Brant Point.
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | SS Nobska |
| Owner | The Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority |
| Operator | The Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority |
| Builder | Bath Iron Works, Maine |
| Completed | 1925 |
| In service | 1925 |
| Out of service | 1973 |
| Fate | Scrapped in 2006 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 1,085 gross tons |
| Length | 210 ft (64 m) |
| Beam | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Draft | 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) |
| Installed power | Steam (coal) |
| Propulsion | Single screw |
| Speed | 14 knots (26 km/h/16 mph) |
| Capacity | 1,200 |
| Notes | |
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NOBSKA (steamship)
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| Location | Inner harbor, Baltimore, Maryland |
| Area | 0 acres (0 ha) |
| Built | 1925 |
| Built by | Bath Ironworks |
| Architectural style | Sponson design |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002216 |
| Added to NRHP | May 2, 1974 |
Contents
Building and Sailing the Seas
The Nobska was built in 1925 at the Bath Iron Works in Maine. She was named after Nobska Point in Woods Hole, on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
This ship was 210 feet long. She had a powerful steam engine and could travel at 14 knots (about 16 miles per hour). For many years, she sailed different routes for the Steamship Authority. She mostly served the Cape and Islands area, but also traveled to New Bedford.
When she was first launched, her name was Nobska. But from 1928 to 1956, she was called the Nantucket. In 1956, her name was changed back to Nobska. Later, two other Steamship Authority ships also carried the name Nantucket.
The Nobska was known for being very elegant and modern for her time. People called her "the queen of the Sounds." A reporter once wrote that she showed "style, grace and modern technology." She was very popular with the islanders she served. Many people loved her during her years of service. In her later years, she was known as "the grand lady of the ferry service."
One famous story happened in February 1961. Nantucket island was completely frozen in by ice. No other ferries could reach it. The Nobska, with her strong bow, was sent to break through the ice. She succeeded, but then got stuck in the ice herself for the weekend! You can find more stories about her service at the NESF site.
End of Her Journey
The Nobska stopped her service in 1973. Her last trip for the Steamship Authority was on September 18 of that year. In 1974, she was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1975, she was sold and turned into a floating restaurant in Baltimore. However, this plan did not work out. The Nobska sat unused for over ten years. Then, a group called Friends of the Nobska bought her in 1988. This group was created to save the ship.
Efforts to Save Her
The Friends of the Nobska group was formed in 1975. Later, they changed their name to the New England Steamship Foundation (NESF). This non-profit group worked hard to save the Nobska. However, they faced many challenges, including problems raising money.
Scrapping the Ship
By 2006, the Nobska had been sitting in a dry dock at the historic Charlestown Navy Yard for ten years. This space was needed for other historic ships, like the USS Constitution. The Nobska had to be moved, either whole or in pieces. The Friends of the Nobska could not raise enough money to finish the needed repairs. So, the National Park Service ordered the Nobska to be taken apart for scrap. She was the last American coastal steamer still in existence.
Her Whistle and Engine Live On
Before the ship was scrapped, some parts were removed for restoration. These included her huge engine and her steam whistle. In 2006, the Steamship Authority put the Nobska's whistle on their modern ship, the Eagle (built in 1987). Now, the whistle works with air instead of steam. The Steamship Authority even put a recording of the whistle on their website.
