Six Minute ferries facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Class overview |
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|---|---|
| Builders: | Bethlehem Steel, San Francisco |
| Operators: |
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| Built: | 1922-1923 |
| In service: | 1922-1969 |
| Building: | 3 |
| Completed: | 3 |
| Retired: | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | auto/automobile ferry |
| Tonnage |
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| Length | 216.7 ft (66.1 m) |
| Beam | 42.1 ft (12.8 m) |
| Depth | 17.3 ft (5.3 m) |
| Installed power | Total 1,400 hp (1,000 kW) from 3 water tube boilers |
| Propulsion | 3-cylinder triple expansion engine powering a single screw |
| Speed | 10 kn (19 km/h) |
| Capacity | 80 vehicles |
Imagine a time before big bridges, when cars needed a ride across the water! The Six Minute Ferry was a company that helped cars cross the Carquinez Strait in California. This was a super important route between cities like Sacramento and Oakland, California.
The ferry ride itself was quick, taking only about six minutes. This is how the company got its name! As more and more people started driving cars, the company decided to order some new, strong steel ferries in 1921.
However, the Six Minute Ferry company faced a big problem. In March 1922, a landslide destroyed their main terminal. Because of this, the company had to close down, even while their new ferries were still being built.
Luckily, another company called Southern Pacific Transportation Company bought these new ferries. They used them to carry cars between San Francisco and Oakland. These three ferries served the San Francisco Bay area for many years. They were used until the huge San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge opened in 1936, and the Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937. These new bridges made the ferries less necessary for travel.
The Ferry San Mateo
The ferry named San Mateo (its official number was 222386) was launched into the water on May 9, 1922. It was given to the Southern Pacific company on July 21 of the same year.
After working for 18 years in San Francisco Bay, the San Mateo was bought by the Puget Sound Navigation Company in 1940. Later, in 1951, it became part of the Washington State Ferry System. The San Mateo was the very last steam-powered ferry still working on Puget Sound when it retired in 1969. After its retirement, it was taken apart for scrap metal in the Fraser River.
The Ferry Shasta
The ferry called Shasta (official number 222598) was launched on October 5, 1922. It was delivered to Southern Pacific on November 18.
Like the San Mateo, the Shasta also worked for 18 years in San Francisco Bay. In 1940, the Puget Sound Navigation Company bought it. Then, in 1951, it joined the Washington State Ferry System. The Shasta retired in 1959. After that, it was moved to Portland, Oregon, where it was used as a restaurant.
The Ferry Yosemite
The ferry named Yosemite (official number 222722) was launched on October 19, 1922. It was delivered to Southern Pacific on January 25, 1923.
After 16 years of service in San Francisco Bay, the Yosemite was sold in 1939. An Argentinian and Uruguayan company bought it for $70,000. They also paid Bethlehem Shipbuilding $35,000 to change the ferry. These changes would allow it to travel all the way to the Rio de la Plata in South America on its own power.
The ferry was renamed Argentina. It was made stronger and given new bottom parts (keels). It also got extra fuel and water tanks, a radio, and living spaces for a crew of 21 people.
Captain Eduardo M. Saez of the Uruguayan Navy started a long journey with the Argentina on April 16, 1940. They sailed from San Francisco to Montevideo, Uruguay, passing through the Panama Canal. This trip was about 9,000 miles (15,000 km) long and took 50 days. It was thought to be the longest journey ever made by a ferry traveling under its own power!
After arriving, the Argentina worked for a few years. It carried people and cars across the Rio de la Plata on a 30-mile (50 km) route. In 1948, the ferry was changed into a barge, which is a flat-bottomed boat used for carrying goods. Sadly, it sank that same year.
