Kulshan (steamship)
Encyclopedia
Kulshan was a steamship which operated on Puget Sound
from 1910 until 1929. When built, Kulshan was one of a newer type of inland steamships constructed entirely of steel, and was then considered to be a one of the finest vessels ever to operate on Puget Sound.
shipyard in Seattle and was intended for the Seattle-Bellingham service of the Puget Sound Navigation Company
. Built entirely of steel, Kulshan was rated at 926 tons, with dimensions of 160.3 ft (48.86 m) long, 32 ft (9.75 m) beam, and 20.7 ft (6.31 m) depth of hold.
The powerplant was a triple expansion compound steam engine
with cylinder bores, from high pressure to low, of 17 in (43.2 cm), 28 in (71.1 cm) and 47.5 in (120.7 cm); stroke was 36 in (91.4 cm) on all cylinders. Two oil-fired boilers generated steam at 225 pounds pressure, developing 1100 hp from the engine. The vessel's specifications required a sustained speed of 13 knots. Kulshan trials easily exceeded the contract speed, averaging 14.32 knots over a four hour continuous steaming trial. Much of the steel for the construction of the vessel was produced at the Irondale
mill near Port Townsend, Washington
.
and Anacortes
from 1910 to 1929, replacing the old side-wheeler George E. Starr
. Kulshan was initially under the command of Capt. John “Red Jack” Ellsmore (1859-1931), who had previously commanded the sternwheeler State of Washington
for 13 years, and was to command Kulshan for another 16 years. Another well-known captain of Kulshan was Henry Carter (1858-1930).
replaced Kulshan, but only as a night freighter. Unlike some other steel inland steamships, Kulshan was not suitable for conversion into a ferry. The popular and widely-experienced Capt. Colin M. “Big Mac” McLennan (1894-1953) was in command of Kulshan on the vessel's last trip into lay up. Kulshan was laid up until 1938, when Puget Sound Navigation sold the steamship to Seattle Iron and Metals Corporation which later scrapped the vessel.
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
from 1910 until 1929. When built, Kulshan was one of a newer type of inland steamships constructed entirely of steel, and was then considered to be a one of the finest vessels ever to operate on Puget Sound.
Design and construction
Kulshan was built at the Moran BrothersSeattle Construction and Drydock Company
The Seattle Construction and Drydock Company was a shipbuilding company based in Seattle, Washington. Formally established in 1911, the shipyard could trace its history back to 1882, when Robert Moran opened a marine repair shop at Yesler's Wharf...
shipyard in Seattle and was intended for the Seattle-Bellingham service of the Puget Sound Navigation Company
Puget Sound Navigation Company
The Puget Sound Navigation Company was founded by Joshua Green in 1913. It operated a fleet of steamboats and ferries on Puget Sound in Washington and the Georgia Strait in British Columbia...
. Built entirely of steel, Kulshan was rated at 926 tons, with dimensions of 160.3 ft (48.86 m) long, 32 ft (9.75 m) beam, and 20.7 ft (6.31 m) depth of hold.
The powerplant was a triple expansion compound steam engine
Steam engine
A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid.Steam engines are external combustion engines, where the working fluid is separate from the combustion products. Non-combustion heat sources such as solar power, nuclear power or geothermal energy may be...
with cylinder bores, from high pressure to low, of 17 in (43.2 cm), 28 in (71.1 cm) and 47.5 in (120.7 cm); stroke was 36 in (91.4 cm) on all cylinders. Two oil-fired boilers generated steam at 225 pounds pressure, developing 1100 hp from the engine. The vessel's specifications required a sustained speed of 13 knots. Kulshan trials easily exceeded the contract speed, averaging 14.32 knots over a four hour continuous steaming trial. Much of the steel for the construction of the vessel was produced at the Irondale
Irondale
Irondale is the name of several places in the United States:*Irondale, Alabama*Irondale, Georgia*Irondale, Missouri*Irondale, Ohio*Irondale, Washington*Irondale Township, MinnesotaIn Canada:*Irondale, Ontario*Irondale River...
mill near Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend is a city in Jefferson County, Washington, United States, approximately north-northwest of Seattle . The population was 9,113 at the 2010 census an increase of 9.3% over the 2000 census. It is the county seat and only incorporated city of Jefferson County...
.
Operations
From 1910 to 1929, Kulshan was assigned to the Seattle-Bellingham route, which also included calls at EverettEverett, Washington
Everett is the county seat of and the largest city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Named for Everett Colby, son of founder Charles L. Colby, it lies north of Seattle. The city had a total population of 103,019 at the 2010 census, making it the 6th largest in the state and...
and Anacortes
Anacortes, Washington
Anacortes is a city in Skagit County, Washington, United States. The name "Anacortes" is a consolidation of the name Anna Curtis, who was the wife of early Fidalgo Island settler Amos Bowman. Anacortes' population was 15,778 at the time of the 2010 census...
from 1910 to 1929, replacing the old side-wheeler George E. Starr
George E. Starr (steamboat)
The steamboat George E. Starr operated in late 19th century as part of the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet and also operated out of Victoria, B.C. Geo. E. Starr also served for a time in California and on the Columbia River.-Construction:Geo. E...
. Kulshan was initially under the command of Capt. John “Red Jack” Ellsmore (1859-1931), who had previously commanded the sternwheeler State of Washington
State of Washington (sternwheeler)
State of Washington was a sternwheel steamboat of the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet, later transferred to the Columbia River.-Career:State of Washington was built in 1889 by John J. Holland in Tacoma, Washington. From 1889 to 1902 the vessel was placed on the Seattle-Bellingham route. From 1902 to...
for 13 years, and was to command Kulshan for another 16 years. Another well-known captain of Kulshan was Henry Carter (1858-1930).
Disposition
After 1929, increasing highway travel meant Kulshan could not be profitably worked, and was taken off the Seattle-Bellingham run. The steamship Sol DucSol Duc (steamship)
Sol Duc was a steamship which was operated on northern Puget Sound from 1912 to 1935, chiefly on a route connecting ports on the Olympic Peninsula with Seattle...
replaced Kulshan, but only as a night freighter. Unlike some other steel inland steamships, Kulshan was not suitable for conversion into a ferry. The popular and widely-experienced Capt. Colin M. “Big Mac” McLennan (1894-1953) was in command of Kulshan on the vessel's last trip into lay up. Kulshan was laid up until 1938, when Puget Sound Navigation sold the steamship to Seattle Iron and Metals Corporation which later scrapped the vessel.