Built as a wooden two-masted schooner by Matthew Turner at Benicia, California, as a South Sea trader and mail boat in 1888.
Launched under the name EQUATOR.
Tonnage 72 gross, 68 net, dim. 20.27 x 6.71 x 2.44m.
When the Great Hurricane in March 1889 passed Apia the EQUATOR was within 200 miles off the island, she survived.
1889 She was chartered by Stevenson at Hawaii for a voyage around the Pacific Islands, and the Stevenson family embarked on 24 June.
After the EQUATOR left Hawaii under command of Capt Reid, she headed for the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati); they landed at Butaritari and shifted to Abemama in October 1889. At this place they stayed some time before she sailed to Samoa where they arrived in Apia in December.
At Apia the Stevenson family disembarked.
1902 Sold to the Pacific Packing and Navigation Co., then used as a fish packer, or used to transport tinned fish, sometimes used as a research vessel or tug. Fitted out with a 125hp diesel engine
Later sold to the Northwestern Fisheries.
1915 Sold to Cary-Davis Tug & Barge Co. and she was refitted in a steamtug, she was lengthened to 24.9 meter.
1923 Stranded on the Quillayute River bar while towing a log crib to sea, she was refloated but sustained heavy damage, towed to Seattle for repairs
Her last owner was the Puget Sound Tug & Barge Co., who replaced there worn out diesels by a new one of 250hp.
1956 Towed to a sandpit by Everett, Washington and abandoned.
1967 A group of people founded the Equator Inc., to save her en to restore her to her old glory. After refloating her she was towed to the Everett marina
1973 Placed on the USA state national register of historic places.
But when interest in her faded was she taken ashore and put in a boatshed, where she still sits today, without much restoration work done on her, and slowly deteriorating.
Marshal Islands 1988 25c sg 178, scott 190c, 1992 46c sg 498, scott 454 and 1992 32c sg 691, scott 605w.
Samoa 1994 70s sg 929, scott 858
Source: International Register of Historic Ships. Watercraft Philately. Log Book. Magellan – Ship Biographies.