Sabino (steamer)

Infobox_nrhp | name = SABINO (steamer)
nrhp_type = nhl

---

caption =
location = Mystic, Connecticut
lat_degrees = 41
lat_minutes = 21
lat_seconds = 39.04
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 71
long_minutes = 58
long_seconds = 2.31
long_direction = W
locmapin = Connecticut
area =
built = 1908
architect = H. Irving Adams
architecture = No Style Listed
designated= October 5, 1992cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=2147&ResourceType=Structure | title=SABINO (steamer) |accessdate=2007-10-03|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added = October 5, 1992cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
governing_body = Private
refnum = 92001887

The "Sabino", is a small wooden coal-fired steamer ship built in 1908 and currently located at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut. It is one of only two surviving members of the American "mosquito fleet". The ship was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992.citation|title=PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/92001887.pdf Marine Heritage of the United States NHL Theme Study--Large Vessels: "Sabino" / Excursion Steamer "Sabino"] |239 KB|date=September, 1991 |author=Nicolas Dean |publisher=National Park Service. PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Photos/92001887.pdf Accompanying 5 photos, from c.1910 to 1990.] |1.54 MB] The Sabino, along with the San Francisco cable cars, is one of two moving National Historic Landmarks [ [http://www.sfbeautiful.org/images/press/5.07.Cable%20Car%20Report.pdf Report on San Francisco's Cable Cars] , "San Francisco Beautiful" May 2007] .

History

The "Sabino" was built in the W. Irving Adams shipyard in East Boothbay, Maine. The 57 foot vessel was originally known as the "Tourist" and was christened May 7, 1908. The "Tourist" began its career as a ferry for the Damariscotta Steamboat Company which was located on the Damariscotta River in Maine. On October 8, 1921 the "Tourist" was sold to the Popham Beach Steamboat Company which was located on the Kennebec River. The new owners changed the name of the vessel to "Sabino" in honor of an Abenaki Indian sagamore named "Sabenoa". On July 23, 1927 the "Sabino" was purchased by the Cape Shore Ferry Company which was located in Portland, Maine. The "Sabino" ferried passengers from Portland to the many islands of Casco Bay. Sponsons were added in 1928 to help stabilize "Sabino" in the open water of Casco Bay. In 1935, "Sabino" was again sold, this time to the Casco Bay Lines. After a few years the "Sabino" began to show her age and was put into the company's reserve fleet. The "Sabino" briefly began regular ferry service again in 1956 when another ferry ran around, but "Sabino's" usefulness to the ferry company would only last another two years. The vessel was then sold in 1958 to Red Slavit and then soon after sold to Philip Corbin. Corbin's family then spent a great amount of time repairing the vessel and bought her up to Coast Guard regulations as a passenger vessel. In 1971, Philip Corbin's son Jim began operating the "Sabino" on the Merrimac River in Massachusetts. In 1975, the "Sabino" was leased for one year to Mystic Seaport Museum to see if a steamboat would appeal to the museum's patrons. The "Sabino" became a popular attraction which prompted the museum to purchase the vessel. Under the museum's care the "Sabino" received regular maintenance and was brought back to her former glory. In 1992, the "Sabino" received designation as a National Historic Landmark. The "Sabino" is noted as one of the few National Historic Landmarks that a person can take a ride on. [King III, George. "Sabino, Steams To 100." Mystic Seaport Magazine. Summer/Fall 2008: 18-22.]

Operation

The "Sabino" is operated by the captain, one or two engineers and two deck hands. The captain does not directly control the direction or speed of the vessel. The captain must relay his commands through a sequence of bells and gongs to the engineer who is in control of the engine. The average speed of the vessel is 8 knots and the vessel will consume 60 tons of coal a year. The estimated number of yearly passengers is around 33,000. [King III, George. "A Day In The Life Of Sabino." Mystic Seaport Magazine. Summer/Fall 2008: 23.]

Current Status

The "Sabino" currently operates regularly at the Mystic Seaport giving patrons tours of the Mystic River. [http://www.mysticseaport.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=B41A9814-9BB3-DAAF-E910B083A80D0941 Sabino, Mystic Seaport] ] The year 2008 is the 100th anniversary of the "Sabino".

References

External links

* [http://www.mysticseaport.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=9FDC5DBB-B0D0-D05E-1AFF4F8D9D7F35B4 Sabino, Mystic Seaport]