Overview
Mazama was a small steamboat driven by twin propellers that operated on upper Klamath Lake starting in 1909. Mazama was, reportedly, the only craft ever to navigate the Wood River, a tributary of upper Klamath Lake. For a few years, until the construction of a rail line, Mazama was an important link in transportation system linking Fort Klamath to Klamath Falls.
Route and ownership
Mazama ran on a regular route from Klamath Falls to the town of Fort Klamath, Oregon, which required a run up the Wood River, which was a narrow and very crooked stream. Their business was to haul freight to Agency Landing for Fort Klamath. The company was capitalized at $5,000, and reportedly all the stock had already been sold. J.B.C. Taylor was to be the general manager. The company's stated corporate purpose was to operate steam and electric boats, carrying passengers and freight, on upper Klamath Lake and its tributaries, including the Wood River.
Construction
In early 1908, J.B.C. "Jap" Taylor and M.F. "Cap" Parker began building Mazama near Hanks Landing on upper Klamath Lake. The boat was intended to be 50 feet long, with a 12-foot beam (width), powered by two 12 horsepower steam engines driving twin propellers. The steamer was launched on May 4, 1908, however the machinery had not yet arrived. The engines arrived later that month, and were scheduled to be installed into Mazama in the week starting June 1.
Operations
On July 29, 1908, Mazama made its first trip up the Wood River, reaching the Weed Bridge, at river mile 5.9. Operation of the Mazama in the river stirred up the sand on the river bottom, which washed downstream and formed a bar at the river mouth, making it difficult for a larger vessel to pass. The bar had been removed several times, but it kept building up again. With the water low, Captain Parker of Mazama planned to use a launch on the Wood River instead of the larger steamer.
Capsized in squall
On October 11, 1908, while towing a barge around Eagle Point, Mazama was struck by a sudden gust of wind, which capsized the boat. General weather conditions were not stormy at the time. This was in the same area that a high wind had blown over the larger steamer Winema the previous year, 1907. There was no loss of life among the five or six men who were on board Mazama, as they were able to reach safety on board the barge. Most of the freight also was saved. Mazama lay in six to eight feet of water. M.F. "Cap" Parker the boat's owner proceeded to the scene immediately to make efforts to raise the boat. The first report of the incident stated that "little trouble is anticipated in raising" the vessel.
Sunk at mooring
On December 24, 1910, Mazama reached the landing for Fort Klamath, on the Wood River with a barge loaded with freight in tow. The boat was left overnight anchored in the river, while the crew left to celebrate Christmas. The next day, Captain Parker found the boat had sunk in about six feet of water. There had been a collision between the barge and the steamer, which left a hole in the boat's hull, causing it to flood. Plans were made to raise the Mazama.
Reconstruction
In February 1912, Mazama was overhauled and a new hull was constructed for the vessel. The work was done by boat builder I.R. McDonald. The rebuilt boat would be 63 feet long, with a beam (width) of 13 feet, and a maximum carrying capacity of 25 tons of cargo, although 15 tons would be the more usual load. It was thought that the old hull would be converted into a houseboat. The rebuilt boat was expected to be complete within the next week. The rebuilt steamer was reported to have greater cargo capacity, so that the use of a barge would no longer be necessary. The vessel's speed was estimated to be about ten miles per hour. Passenger accommodations were also included, and the vessel was reportedly better constructed and much safer. While the steamer was undergoing reconstruction, freight had accumulated at the company's dock awaiting transport to various points around the lake.
Mazama would run up the Wood River to the Wood (or Weed) Bridge, which was about 4 miles from Fort Klamath. By 1912, a good road had been built between the steamer landing and Fort Klamath.
Stranded by diversion of river water
In November 1912, Mazama became stranded in the Wood River, when as a result of poorly constructed irrigation canal, most of the water in the river was diverted into the canal, flooding the surrounding area, and leaving insufficient water in the river for Mazama to navigate. The level of the river water was only a few inches, and the steamer would be stranded until the breach in the river bank caused by the diversion could be repaired. Mazama was not able to return to Klamath Falls until March 17, 1915.
Disposition
Mazama became the sole property of J.B.C. Taylor in 1918. The second Mazama, although larger than the original, still used the same engines, and was therefore slower, and reportedly "never satisfactory". Mazama’s operations were terminated when the Southern Pacific Railroad reached Chiloquin, Oregon, as the steamer could not compete with the rates charged for rail transport. Mazama was dismantled at some time, after which the hulk lay in the tule reeds for years.