Yeah, lots of things happen on piers. People come and go. People meet other people. They learn something they didn’t know. And as for Allyson, she spews out her frustration, unbeknownst that Steve is watching her back that late at night. Thus, the setting of my new book Love Backwards. It starts here… on Humboldt Bay Pier in Eureka, California.
It was a fun place to start. And comes with a sweet history that is usual of such little towns. Once upon a time this lazy little place faced an island over the bay. The only way to reach it was by way of a seven-vessel fleet that ran 24-7. On an average day it ferried 1500 people across the little channel. It transported people from where they lived to work…on the other side. Some were everyday jobs, but many were longshoremen employed at the mill or by one of the many timber companies as Georgia-Pacific. These ‘launches’ were vital to their everyday life. Until…
As many call it progress, the powers that be, decided to connect the two with the Samoa Bridge in 1971. And as expected, it ended the need of the ferry service. One by one the ‘launches’ were gotten rid of except for the Madaket. Humboldt kept this launch and created the Humboldt Bay Harbor Cruise and uses it as the Madaket as its flag boat and ambassador of the bay.
This happy launch was built in 1909 and launched June 6th, 1910 and is the oldest passenger carrying vessel still in use. It reminds visitors of the bay’s maritime past of Humboldt Pier. It was built at Fairhaven CA by shipwright McDonald. She’s 47.5 feet in length and 12 foot across the beam. It is one of the 700 historic vessels registered in the USA.
For a fun place to visit someday for a delightful taste of history, be sure to go here. Not only does Eureka and Humboldt have this excursion, but also shares fun shopping, more history both natural and man-made. Visit https://humboldtbaymaritimemuseum.com/madaketmainpage.html (of whom I thank for the information)
