Nenana, Paddle steamer in Pioneer Park, United States

The SS Nenana is a five-deck wooden sternwheel paddleship, 237 feet long with a 42-foot beam, rated at 1,000 gross tons. Designed by Seattle marine architect W.C. Nickum, it was prefabricated in Seattle and assembled at Nenana, Alaska, by Berg Shipbuilding Company. Its decks are the main (cargo), saloon, boat, Texas, and pilothouse; the Texas, topped by a forward-mounted pilothouse in poolboat style, held crew staterooms. It carried 48 passengers and up to 300 tons of freight, including two tons in cold storage.

Launched in May 1933 at Nenana, the sternwheeler was designed by Seattle marine architect W.C. Nickum, prefabricated in Seattle and assembled by Berg Shipbuilding Company. It carried passengers and freight for the Alaska Railroad until river passenger service ended after the 1949 season. During World War II it supplied Galena Air Base, from which fighter aircraft were sent to the Soviet Union. After a 1952 refit it made one more trip north before being laid up.

The vessel represents how river steamers were once the lifeline connecting isolated Alaskan communities together. Visitors can see how essential these boats were to the daily movement of people and goods across vast distances.

The vessel is part of Pioneer Park and can be explored by visitors interested in learning about river travel in early Alaska. Visiting during warmer months provides the best access to see the interior and exterior details of the historic boat.

When the General Services Administration put Nenana up for bids on December 10, 1955, every offer was rejected as too low until Greater Fairbanks Opportunities, Inc. bought her and steamed her up the Tanana and Chena rivers to Fairbanks. During a severe room shortage she also served as a hotel.