The Steamboat Race That Put Newport on the Clock
The steamer Spokane overtook the Ruth on the Pend Oreille, thrilling passengers and settling a season-long boast among river captains.
One of the warmest contested races in the history of navigation on the Pend Oreille river was pulled off on Wednesday afternoon, when the steamer Ruth and the "old Reliable," the steamer Spokane, hooked up for a 14-mile race from Dalkena to the docks in Newport. The Ruth was in the lead for a mile or so, when the Spokane overhauled her and beat her to the dock, arriving at Newport a good mile in the lead. The passengers and crew of both boats enjoyed the race to the fullest extent. Capt. Jim Stewart and Chief Engineer Kern have contended all of the year that they commanded the fastest boat on the river, and say that they are laying for the Ione and will add another scalp to their collection when they meet. The Spokane made the run from Dalkena to Newport in just one hour and ten minutes.
“The Spokane made the run from Dalkena to Newport in just one hour and ten minutes.”
Before highways, the Pend Oreille River was Newport's connection to the world, and boat races were a public spectacle. Today the same river corridor is valued for recreation and ecology rather than freight and passenger travel, but the local pride in speed and bragging rights still feels familiar.
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