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Friday dawned clear and cloudy, but no rain fell. Boaters continued to arrive throughout the day and the launch ramp remained busy. The 700 foot visitors' dock was soon lined with steamboats, cheek and jowl. And the evening chowder feed went off well, 83 people being served and there was enough for seconds and then some for the very hungry. After, an evening excursion up nearby Dakota Creek was planned - and thereby hangs a tale. The esteemed Meet Chair, Captain Richard Sturgill, is renowned for his knowledge of the waters in Drayton Harbor and the adjoining streams and "criks". And Dakota Creek has a nasty reputation of "grabbing" unwary boats and "mudlocking" them. All went well; Captain Sturgill at the helm of Dave Hogan's Magnolia with 12 other steamboats lined up behind like so many ducklings following mama. Swinging well out from shore and around nearly invisible markers, the boats jinked and jogged and finally entered Dakota Creek. They bravely followed the skillfully handled Magnolia underneath freeway and railroad bridges, dodging snags and deadheads, all the while blowing whistles and waving to natives above, on the shoreside, and in other boats. Further and further until it seemed like the voyage of the African Queen. And then the Magnolia stopped! Run aground on the mud. What to do? Several boats prepared to tow her off, but the knowledgeable steamboaters who were aboard Magnolia had ventured forward to examine the problem. These same knowlegdeable persons decided to move aft to oversee the towing operation and lo and behold, Magnolia quietly broke free. No report has been made on the color of the redoubtable Captain Sturgill's face. 
Although the "Great Grounding" of Friday evening would appear to be a hard act to follow, Saturday was a fun filled day. The weather remained "grey" (duh, it's the Pacific Northwest) but after an excellent "official" breakfast at a local spot spirits were high. Most of the morning was spent around the docks, discussing the latest improvements in the various steamers, "firing up" and listening to the dulcet tones of Gordon Sullivan's steam calliope as played by Don Stagg. The afternoon was taken up with the traditional Saturday parade, cruise and wine/cheese party providing a pleasant change of pace, 15 steamboats being in The traditional Saturday Banquet at the Blaine Community Center was attended by 101 Members and their Guests. The Foss Waterway Seaport/Museum in Tacoma as a site for the 2010 Meet (check it out by selecting the "2010 meet" button in the navigation bar to the left) was discussed and determined by the Membership in attendance to be the place; August 7 thru 9 to be the dates. Tom Kane aided by Sterling MacKinnon will chair the Meet.  Sunday continued the usual, "laid back" tone. Some boats had been "hauled" on Saturday evening, and this continued on Sunday. Many members took advantage of the shuttle bus for the tour of Gordon Sullivan's nearby home and shop. Gordon has a remarkable "collection" of steam stuff (he's been collecting for over fifty years) as well as a theatre sized pipe organ with accompanying air powered instruments. Probably the most impressive display of all is Gordon's fully operational (and yes, he uses it to build his many projects) steam powered workshop. A small boiler - keeps the place warm in the winter - provides steam to a vertical stationary engine which drives an overhead jackshaft and flat beds for all the machine tools. Truly like a shop before the advent of the elctric motor. Sunday afternoon featured another steamboat parade as well as rides for the many visitors drawn by the "noise". The day - and Meet - were closed with birthday celebration. Gordon Sulivan's Quickstep celebrated 100 years of service this year. And with the "restoration" work done by Gordon, she should be ready for 100 more! The following vessels were in attendance (click on an underlined name for a photo):
The following businesses and organizations helped make this a successful meet: Richard Sturgill managed this Meet with the same competence as the previous one held at Blaine in 2003. He was ably assisted by Wolfgang and Angelica Schlager in nearby Bellingham. If you enjoyed the event, drop them a line or email.
Unless otherwize noted, all photos are by George Walrod Latest page update: November 1, 2009 |
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attendance. All the whistles and other steamboat sounds drew a nice crowd of visitors to the docks and almost all who wanted a "steamboat ride" were able to be accomodated. One new steamboat was in attendance. Large, impressive, and fast - yep, looks like Mosquito, Flyer, and Magic will have to surrender the broom to Real McCoy. Built of steel with a LARGE steeple compound engine her accomodations are still rather primitve - folding aluminum patio chairs. And, although she lost in a tug-o-war to Magic, she won for speed. |
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