KINGSTON — The days of steam engines and familiar vessels will be back for a visit this weekend, reinstating the spark of the old lifestyle that prevailed during the days of Puget Sound’s historic Mosquito Fleet.
Kingston will be welcoming members of the Northwest Steam Society for the 2002 Annual Steam Meet this weekend with members from all over the region pulling into Appletree Cove.
Making a grand appearance on Friday, Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. will be the Virginia V, the last remaining vessel from the Mosquito Fleet, which reigned the Northwest waters back in the early 20th Century. The whole Sound area was filled with ferries and steamboats back then — just like a bunch of mosquitoes flying around.
“There used to be thousands of ferries running around,” said Ron Selvidge of Leadership Kitsap, a local group which helps improve the community through service projects.
The Mosquito Fleet Trail will also be honored with a dedication ceremony at 1 p.m. on Friday, commemorating the Kingston harbor with a plaque. In the old days, Kingston was one of many major ports for the fleet on the Sound. Selvidge and his team of leaders from the organization decided to create monuments honoring the fleet’s history along with the proposed foot trail, which will follow the shore.
“We’re hoping we can put together a parade in Appletree Cove,” said Ron Rawson, chairman of the 2002 Annual Steam Meet for NWSS. “As the Virginia V returns from her first voyage, we can all meet out and escort (her) back to the dock… 25 or 30 steamboats, like little chicks.”
The restored 125-foot steamboat will be offering cruises and open houses throughout the weekend. Members of the society will also be opening up their boats (at the owner’s discretion), for show and tell, Rawson said.
The hour and a half cruises on the Virginia V will be available for those who sign up and/or purchase tickets. The departure times are 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. on Friday. For members of NWSS, there will also be a chowder feed that evening at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club.
The Virginia V will open up again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, with one cruise at 10 a.m. and the another trip at 2:30 p.m. From 4-5 p.m., the Home Town Band will provide afternoon entertainment while the public peruses the vessels to check out the steam equipment. NWSS members will then hop on the Virginia V for their evening banquet around 6 p.m.
While showing off old favorites, a new vessel will be testing the waters. North Kitsap Fire and Rescue will be dedicating its new boat, Marine 81, at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The new boat will be christened and firefighters will be showing off its capabilities.
“We’re excited about the capabilities of the boat,” said NKF&R Fire Chief Paul Nichol. The new equipment wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation between the Port of Kingston and fire district, he added. The port contributed $50,000 toward the $152,000 cost of the boat, as well as providing electricity and moorage for the boat at the marina.
Sunday, while the mothership of the steamboats takes off early at 6 a.m., other steamboats will be hanging around while NWSS member enjoy breakfast at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club.
But even so, steamboats will not be the only boats on display.
Rawson said anyone with any interest in steam equipment can come down to the marina and “show off their toys.: The only requirement to a member of the NWSS is to have a love for steam, Rawson said. Whistles, cars and model boats will be on display, as well as modern steam equipment from several suppliers, including Tiny Power.
