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Star Island Ferry History Since Thomas Laighton opened the Appledore House in 1848, guests have come to the Isles of Shoals, a fascinating archipelago 6 miles at sea where explorers, fishermen, pirates and poets have visited over the centuries. In 1897 the Oceanic Hotel became the site for non-denominational conferences of international renown, and conferences have continued to this day. On each of our ferry runs, our historian will share stories of the history, geology and lore of these intriguing islands. Step back in time with us as we explore the Isles of Shoals! |
Ferry History (from Land of Lost Content, Robert H. Whittaker, 1994. Alan Sutton Publishing): |
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| 1848 | Schooner Springbird: sails from Newburyport |
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| 1849 | Springbird: moved to Portsmouth |
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| 1859 | Schooner Sibul: sistership to the famed schooner America |
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| 1869 | SS Appledore: capacity of 150 passengers, speed of 10 kn |
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| 1873 | SS Major: renamed Oceanic; served again in 1886 |
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| 1878ca | SS Pinnefore: 45-foot utility vessel |
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| 1883 | SS Viking: 300 passenger capacity |
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| 1898 | Naphtha launch Sam Adams: island boat, replaced Pinnefore |
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| 1901 | SS Merryconeag: served two seasons |
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| 1903 | SS Rockland: owned by the Boston & Bangor Steamship Co. |
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| 1904 |
SS Mineola: served two seasons |
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| 1906 | SS Munnatawket: Built in 1890 |
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| 1907 | SS Mary Archer: built in Rockland, Maine |
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| 1908 | SS Forest City |
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| 1909 | SS Munnatawket: served again until 1911 |
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| 1910 | SS Sightseer: owned by the Piscataqua River Toweing Co. |
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1912 |
SS Juliette: served through 1915, three daily trips |
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| 1916 | SS Sightseer: returned to service this season |
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| 1917-8 | SS Sightseer: served as a tow boat in World War I |
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| 1919 | SS Sightseer: resumes service until 1941. Last steamboat to serve in Isles ferry service |
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| 1930ca | SS Twilight: Oscar Laighton's personal launch |
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| 1941 | SS Sightseer: goes into government service during World War II |
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| 1941-5 | Ferry service to the Isles of Shoals suspended during WWII |
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| 1946 | M/V Kiboko: first postwar ferry to serve the Shoals, first diesel-powered ferry on island run. |
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| 1962 | Beginning of Viking of Yarmouth, Inc. & the current Isles of Shoals Steamship Company history. |
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Isles of Shoals Steamship Company, 315 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
© 2005, Isles of Shoals Steamship Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
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