The Launching of the City of Aberdeen
A new passenger steamer hits the waters of Grays Harbor, promising speed and luxury to locals.
A large crowd gathered at Tew's wharf to watch the launching of the City of Aberdeen. The steamer, which has been under construction for several weeks, hit the water to cheers from the gathered crowd. Built for speed and comfort, the vessel is 147 feet long and outfitted with handsome, modern accommodations including a social hall, private drawing rooms, and a large dining room. The project, led by builders including Mr. C. Reed, was completed in just over two months, a remarkably short time for a craft valued at $10,000.
“The steamer was commenced just two days more than two months from the time she was begun until she was ready for the water.”
In 1891, the launch of a steamer was the pulse of Aberdeen's economy, as water travel was the primary way to connect this isolated timber town to the rest of the coast. Today, Grays Harbor remains a critical maritime hub, but the vessels have shifted from luxury passenger steamers to the industrial giants that dominate the modern shipping channel.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.