dimmer switch problem

Today I  wired up two 12v 55watt lights for night fishing on my boat and I want to be able to controll them with a 12v dimmer switch.  I used a (car interior light dimmer switch) which worked for about a minute, then it started heating up and smoking so I had to disconnect it. I don't know how many amps this dimmer switch can handle, all I know is that it is a 12v switch and came out of an old car(don't know the model of the car, it was given to me).  Can anyone tell me what the problem might be and how can I tell how many amps the switch can handle by using a meter? Thanks for any info.....

I know it goes to 0 volts and thats what it would do. It's when I left the dimmer at full 12v when it started getting hot. I think the dimmer switch can't handle the amps the lights pull. I may be wrong thats why I'm asking if you know how to check the dimmer switch with a meter to know how many amps it can handle. I know that two 55watt lights = 110watts and that means I need a dimmer switch that will handle 9.5 amps. So how do I use volt meter to determine how many amps my dimmer switch can handle? 

Thanks Mike,

I understand what your ideal is and how it would work, I just would'nt know where to begin putting it all togeather. I'm not an electrician just an average bear who knows somewhat about electricity. I love doing this kind of stuff but never had no schooling on it. I wish I had your knowledge.