SUNDAY FOR SUCIA ISLAND ❖ ❖ 1894

Steamer BUCKEYE
ca. 1892. 

 

"It was a happy party that boarded the steamer Buckeye for an excursion to the Sucia Islands, last Sunday.

There were small and large people, young and old people, men with their families, and boys with their sweethearts, all bent on having a good time. Well-filled lunch baskets were placed on board, with great care, which was amusing to behold. The trim little steamer left the wharf at a quarter to ten and anchored in McLaughlin's Bay a little after noon. The party landed near Mr. McLaughlin's home, and dinner was spread on the grass under some nice shade trees near the beach.

The Sucia Islands in the 
San Juan Archipelago, WA.
The four photographs are by 
Clyde Banks Studio and 
James A. McCormick,
the latter being one of the earliest 
photographers to catch scenes 
away from the county seat, where 
he had set up his studio.

Click the image to enlarge.

After dinner, several hours were spent roaming around the beach looking for curios, for which these islands have become famous. But the most "curious " thing found was the fact that the party could find nothing curious enough to be worth bringing home.

About half-past four, in the evening, the merry party gathered on board, the anchor weighed, and the steamer started for home. The evening was fine, the water smooth, and the trip home was a very pleasant one. A stop was made at Olga to land some passengers, and at Newhall, a stop of fifteen minutes was made, and a number of the passengers availed themselves of the opportunity to inspect the sawmill and the wonderful waterpower at this place.

The steamer arrived at Friday Harbor about nine o'clock, with all on board tired, but glad they had been at the party."
San Juan Islander newspaper. 1894

The BUCKEYE was built at Seattle in 1890 and purchased three or four years later by Mr. Newhall to take the place of the little steamer Success. She was well-known to people in San Juan County for more than 18 years.
        The BUCKEYE was last operated by the Olympic Towing Co when she was destroyed by fire at Stavis Bay, Hood Canal, WA., in 1930.
        There is another post about this vessel suffering an accident the year following this party day at Sucia. Click HERE