Sabino

Sabino is a wooden paddle-wheel steamboat that operates along the Mystic River from the Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut. The vessel measures roughly 57 feet in length and burns coal to power its steam engine.

The vessel was built in 1908 and originally served as a ferry on a Maine river before being relocated to operate in Connecticut. It gained official recognition as a historic landmark in 1992 due to its age and working condition.

The steamboat carries a name honoring a Native American leader and serves as a living reminder of maritime traditions for those who travel on it. Visitors experience a form of transportation that was commonplace in earlier generations, connecting them to how people once moved along New England waterways.

The boat offers trips during warmer months, with options ranging from short outings to longer cruises depending on your preference. Weather conditions and river levels can affect which trips are available on any given day.

The vessel features an old-fashioned bell system that allows the captain to communicate with engineers below deck without needing to see each other. This method of signaling was once the standard way to run steamboats and remains in working order on this ship.

Location: Stonington

Inception: 1908

Part of: Mystic Bridge Historic District

GPS coordinates: 41.36083,-71.96722

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:59