The steamboat Rita at Waldheim Dock on Lake Wassookeag. It was built on 1882 by nineteen-year-old Arthur Abbott, grandson of Jeremiah, one of the Abbott Mill's founders. Arthur was a student at MIT and put his knowledge to use designing and building this 30-foot, 1,100-pound boat. He began his design in March. From April to May he worked every day cutting and fitting the ribs, planking, and caulking. The one-cylinder engine was bought, but he made even the rudder and tiller. On launch day Rita got up 20 pounds of steam in 30 minutes, and went 1/4 mile in 4 minutes with 60 pounds of steam.

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