Cyrene (steamboat)
Encyclopedia
Cyrene was a steamboat that operated initially on Puget Sound
and later on Lake Washington
from 1891 to about 1912. Cyrene and another similar vessel Xanthus were somewhat unique in that they had clipper bows and were both originally built as yacht
s.
. The vessel was commissioned as a yacht by James M. Colman, a prominent early Seattle businessman. Colman hoped that the building of the yacht would encourage employment in the shipyard. Matt Anderson superintended the construction of the vessel.
, if he would purchase Cyrene. Anderson agreed, and brought the vessel to Lake Washington by way of the difficult Black River
route, the only natural riverine access from Puget Sound to Lake Washington. Anderson used the vessel on Lake Washington in the excursion business. In 1909, in anticipation of additional business trom visitors to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
, Anderson rebuilt Cyrene, increasing the passenger capacity and moving the wheelhouse
to the upper deck.
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
and later on Lake Washington
Lake Washington
Lake Washington is a large freshwater lake adjacent to the city of Seattle. It is the largest lake in King County and the second largest in the state of Washington, after Lake Chelan. It is bordered by the cities of Seattle on the west, Bellevue and Kirkland on the east, Renton on the south and...
from 1891 to about 1912. Cyrene and another similar vessel Xanthus were somewhat unique in that they had clipper bows and were both originally built as yacht
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
s.
Construction and launching
Cyrene was built in Seattle in a boatyard on the site of Colman DockColman Dock
Colman Dock, also called Pier 52 is an important ferry terminal in Seattle, Washington. The original pier is no longer in existence, but the terminal used by the Washington State Ferry system, and is still called “Colman Dock”-Location:...
. The vessel was commissioned as a yacht by James M. Colman, a prominent early Seattle businessman. Colman hoped that the building of the yacht would encourage employment in the shipyard. Matt Anderson superintended the construction of the vessel.
Transfer to Lake Washington
Colman asked John L. Anderson, who was operating steamboats on Lake WashingtonLake Washington
Lake Washington is a large freshwater lake adjacent to the city of Seattle. It is the largest lake in King County and the second largest in the state of Washington, after Lake Chelan. It is bordered by the cities of Seattle on the west, Bellevue and Kirkland on the east, Renton on the south and...
, if he would purchase Cyrene. Anderson agreed, and brought the vessel to Lake Washington by way of the difficult Black River
Black River (Duwamish River)
The Black River, also known as the Duwamish River, was a river in King County in the U.S. state of Washington. It drained Lake Washington until 1916 when the opening of the Lake Washington Ship Canal lowered the lake, causing the Black River to dry up...
route, the only natural riverine access from Puget Sound to Lake Washington. Anderson used the vessel on Lake Washington in the excursion business. In 1909, in anticipation of additional business trom visitors to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
The Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition was a world's fair held in Seattle in 1909, publicizing the development of the Pacific Northwest.It was originally planned for 1907, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Klondike Gold Rush, but the organizers found out about the Jamestown Exposition being held...
, Anderson rebuilt Cyrene, increasing the passenger capacity and moving the wheelhouse
Wheelhouse
Wheelhouse or Wheel-house may refer to a number of topicsIn nautical context*The location of the steering wheel of a boat or ship**Bridge **Pilothouse...
to the upper deck.