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rustyyoke
September 16th, 2007, 17:15
This is the Kalakala.

A ferry boat that ran active in the Puget Sound of Washington State. She was built in 1938. Upon my first sight of her in a picture 30 years ago, I thought it would have been built in the 1960's.

I grew up in the sound and have always been impressed with these ships. I think the oldest one I had ever ridden was the "Vashon" built in 1930. Named after an island.

The Ferries of Washington state will forever be anchored in my life. It was a means for a young kid living in a small town to visit and get to know the great city of Seattle. A city that I still love today.

The ride was always as big of an adventure as being at your destination.

It was a day of cruise. Just sitting back and looking at the water ways of the sound.

The actual sounds of the events still ring clear in my ears. The slamming of metal plates as cars hit the deck during loading and unloading. The horn. The sounds and vibrations of the engines that would easily help you fall asleep towards the days end.

Anyhow....This is the Kalakala. A ship that I have never seen before but has always caught my eye.

I currently don't know much of here story. But she is a beauty. I think one of her main difficulties was the front cargo doors. I think she many problems there as passengers would have to wait long times for them to operate. Problems opening and closing.

But I think she was truly a master peice for 1938.

Years later she was sold to a fish company in Alaska and was basically made into a fish factory. She sat beached for decades and really began to decay.

A few years back, a group got together and brought her back home to seattle. She sits in lake Union. They plan to restore her. I truly hope this happens, but her condition is so poor, that I really hate to show any pics of her in such state.

Some day in the next couple of years, I might be able to visit her when I go visit family. Yeah...Think I need to do this:mixedsmi:

Just something of beauty that I'd love to pass on to you guys.

Pick #5 is her voyage home in current state. A pic far enough away so the harsh wounds don't show as bad.

rustyyoke
September 16th, 2007, 17:34
Here's some interior pics...Some look very current...Meaning some nice progress has been made.

Remember...The ride between Bremerton an Seattle was only an hour. Talk about class!

rustyyoke
September 16th, 2007, 17:43
Here's a scetch of the oldest ferry I'd ever ridden....I was around 15. The Vashon was built in 1930.

And a pic of her next to the Kalakala.

Collin
September 16th, 2007, 17:51
She certainly has a 'look' about her.

But some brides had a different view-

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/162523_weddings28.html

regards Collin:ernae:

rustyyoke
September 16th, 2007, 18:07
"But Honey!! It's a '62 Chevy...A classic! It'll look great after it's finished!":d

I'm sure most of the Seattle folks were annoyed by her comments.

Think they'd rather have her restored than leave. Hope the new owner follows through.

Hell...If he did...That woman would really lose her business if he offered weddings as well.;)

Collin
September 16th, 2007, 18:27
These were the oldest I have been on......the old Woolwich Ferry sidepaddles.

I think it was about early 1960, my grandmother used to take me to see relatives in the Woolwich Arsenal, we would catch the ferry from the Isle of Dogs. I seem to remember the weather was always cold and wet so we would go below to watch the steam engines and get warm and dry. There was a shop on board that sold honeycomb in big slabs which gran would buy a couple of bags of.

regards Collin:ernae:

rustyyoke
September 16th, 2007, 18:55
Now that IS old!:d

Musta been something to have seen and heard those paddle wheels.

*****

Goes to show how women do get their way. The Kalakala has been moved 7 months after that article had been written.

She's now in Tacoma getting a new skin and hull repaired.

gecko65
September 17th, 2007, 01:44
Hey Rusty - ya probably seen this already, but here's their website:

http://www.kalakala.org/

smilo
September 21st, 2007, 20:49
One of my earliest memories of riding the Ferry was a day trip a friend and I made from Seattle to Bremerton to go tour the Battleship Missouri.
At 15 years old, we were in Seventh Heaven.

Another quick one;
About 22 years ago I was on my way to Amchitka and had to stop in Kodiak for a few days, waiting for a Coast Guard C-130.
While checking out the island, we came around a corner and there sat the Kalakala, being used a a fish cannery.
Seeing her again, after so many years, totally blew my mind.

I'll have a look next week when I'm in Tacoma. Just to see how she's doing. Thanks for the spark...

rustyyoke
September 22nd, 2007, 02:39
Lived in Port Orchard Wa. Used to take the "Foot Ferry" to Bremerton for college.

I will always remember the "Mighty Mo" every time as when drove around the bay.

Used to live over on 96th st as a kid in Tacoma...Also lived in Gig Harbor.

Really cool you've got to see the Kalakala.

Please let me know how she looks:mixedsmi:

smilo
September 23rd, 2007, 00:32
Come to think of it, they were talking about moving her to Neah Bay, about 50 miles west of here.
I will check into it and let you know.