The Steamer Stella and Her Pocket-Knife Crew
Traveling the Chehalis River was a rugged endeavor that relied on passenger grit and a box of matches.
We believe it is not generally known that we have a steamer on the Chehalis River, but the fact is indisputable. We had the pleasure of being one of the party on the trip of the Stella about three weeks ago. The method of running this craft is peculiar. Each passenger is furnished with a jack-knife and a piece of fir or cedar to pulverize the necessary fuel, and to facilitate the burning of said fuel, the box of lucifers (which the captain carries in his vest pocket) are brought into frequent requisition—said lucifers acting as a substitute for the barrels of rosin consumed in firing up on boats of larger dimensions. Through a respect for her commander's feelings, we refrain from pronouncing said craft a fast boat.
“Each passenger is furnished with a jack-knife and piece of fir or cedar, to pulverize the necessary fuel.”
Today's commuters complain about train delays, but few are required to chop their own wood to keep the engine running. This vivid account captures the 'do-it-yourself' spirit of early Pacific Northwest transportation before modern infrastructure took hold.
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