Presentation of Relics from S. S. "Nobska"

25

A COLLECTION OF relics from the popular steamboat Nobska was presented to the Nantucket Historical Association by officials of the Massachusetts Steamship Authority in a ceremony taking place at the Peter Foulger Museum on Friday afternoon, November 19. Participating in the affair were John McCue, General Manager of the Steamship Authority; Leroy H. True, President of the Nantucket Historical Association; Adriaan Roggeveen, Nantucket Representative on the Authority's Board; Norman P. Giffin, Financial Advisor for the Authority, and for many years the Nantucket Agent for the steamship lines; Joseph Morin, who is currently writing a book in collaboration with Paul Morris on the history of the Island steamboats; and Edouard A. Stackpole, Director of the Peter Foulger Museum, and the Association's Historian.

In a brief ceremony Mr. McCue turned the collection over to Mr. Stackpole, for future display at the Peter Foulger Museum, where momentoes of other steamboats which served the Nantucket line are on display.

The "Nobska's"pilot house name-board, rescued after an attempt to steal it while it lay alongside the wharf here, is a prominent part of the collection, and together with the brass capstan plate, bearing the name of the vessel and other data; the Builder's Plate, affixed at the Bath Iron Works, where she was built in Maine, also with the date of her building, the boiler maker's plate, also with pertinent information; two running lights and the bow light, and the binnacle top completed the relics.

When the Nobska left Nantucket under tow for her new berth on the mainland there were many on the wharf to watch the departure. She was one of the most dependable steamboats ever to run on the Island line, and began her career in these waters immediately upon her launching at Bath in 1925. As one of four vessels built for the company during the 1920's the Islander in 1923; the Nobska in 1925; the New Bedford in 1928; and the Naushon in 1929 - the Nobska was the last of these fine steamboats to cross Nantucket Sound.

In contrast to the modern craft which are utilized to carry freight and passengers to the Islands, the Nobska was a graceful queen, She was built for the waters of Nantucket Sound, and her popularity was justly earned. For a number of years she operated under the name of Nan-