Steamboat Showdown: Mabel vs. Clan McDonald on the Snohomish
A Friday afternoon steamer race from the mouth of the Snohomish River to Priest Point drew a crowd to the Everett wharf, with both captains claiming victory.
Steamers Mabel and Clan McDonald had another brush Friday afternoon in which the former appears to have been successful. As the two boats made their appearance at the mouth of the Snohomish River, the McDonald carried her broom, having bested the Mabel earlier in the day while coming down the river. At Priest Point a pretty start was made with the two lengths ahead. A big crowd collected on the Everett wharf and an exciting contest was witnessed. The captain of the Mabel claims the race by a length and a half.
“The captain of the Mabel claims the race by a length and a half.”
Steamer races were a popular spectator sport in the days when Puget Sound was the region's highway. Today, the Snohomish River is better known for kayaking and wildlife, but the competitive spirit of those early mariners lives on in the area's maritime heritage.
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