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EGfleet
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Historic WSF Photos
« Thread Started on Nov 5, 2009, 12:28pm »
Okay, I'll just take the lead on this.
I've got literally thousands of photos, and there's no point in hoarding them. They should be seen. As always, if anyone wants a larger scan (if I have one) I'm very happy to email you a copy.

Starting with the most famous pensioner of all...the mighty Silver Slug, the Galloping Ghost of the Seattle Coast...the Kalakala....

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Probably my favorite photo, taken in the galley by a former Kalakala Foundation member by the name of Chris Novotny. What happened to to all the photos donated to the foundation I have no idea. Last I heard they were being stored on board in the former galley...which leaked like a sieve. It's possible all these photos have been destroyed.

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Another Novotny photo of the forward cabin. This was the level cut out for the cannery.

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On the car deck.
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Sailing through Rich Passage

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Engine room on June 17th, 1967, mere weeks before she would run for WSF for the last time. (Which was August 7th.)

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The mighty Busch-Sulzer diesel.

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Professional shot (courtesy PSMHS) of the lunch counter taken after the state took over and the inner ring of seats was taken out. Photographer unknown.
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #1 on Nov 5, 2009, 12:47pm »
Wow! Great photos, EGfleet - Keep 'em coming, and good idea on the thread, too. WSF has needed its own historic photos thread for some time now.

I know I have posted these before, but this new thread EGfleet created seems like an appropriate place to re-post a few of the historic photos I have.

MV Vashon at Orcas Landing, circa 1938-39
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Orcas Landing 1946
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Orcas Landing, 1981 - this one is truly rare for a couple of reasons:
1. it is just prior to Klickitat getting its new superstructure
2. both Evergreen State and Tillikum are working the islands at the same time
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #2 on Nov 5, 2009, 12:50pm »
On 8 August 1949 the Kalakala's engine failed to reverse. She crashed rather spectacularly into Colman Dock. These photos are of that event. Courtesy of PSMHS/MOHAI/PI Archives.

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Colman Dock always came off worse for wear...

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The mighty slug just after she rammed the dock.

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Close up of the damage.

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A wrecked car from the collision.
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #3 on Nov 5, 2009, 1:17pm »
Some random Kalakala photos...

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Here wheelhouse with her first Captain, Wally Mangan. I can't fathom trying to navigate this vessel...look at how small those windows are!

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I forget when this happened, but this is a broken crankshaft.

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With the mighty Bainbridge arriving from...Bainbridge Island...

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On slightly choppy waters.

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Post war, as she has radar, and if you look closely she's packed with passengers.

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This has always been one of my favorite shots of her, believe to be a Williamson, but not sure. Courtesy of PSMHS/MOHAI.

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Probably the angle in which she photographed best. Also a PSMHS/MOHAI shot.

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Arriving in Victoria in the 1940's.

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There are a whole series of photos of her looking absolutely awful, such as this one. My only guess is it was during WWII and she couldn't be spared to get her in for proper painting or her aluminum paint might have been considered a wartime commodity and PSN simply couldn't get any.

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At Colman Dock in the early 1960's, with the sunken hunk of the Skagit Belle at a low tide in June. Ernie Taylor photo.

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A nice profile shot from the early 1960's by Ernie Taylor.
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #4 on Nov 5, 2009, 1:27pm »
Wow. Great start, guys. Thanks for those. This is something the forum needed more of.

I agree with EG Fleet- the Kalakala must have been a trial to navigate on. What a strange vessel.
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #5 on Nov 5, 2009, 2:17pm »
Okay, just a few more and I'll give it a rest for today...

First we have one from Barnacle's collection, used with his permission of course...

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Before she became a B.C. Ferry, we have the Bainbridge here on the Mukilteo-Clinton route. This photo is one of the reasons I love slides (which this is)--well over fifty years of age, it has held its color beautifully.

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This odd little critter is the Beeline. Formerly the Florence K, a passenger steamer, she was converted and used by Captain Crosby...Crosby Direct Line's ferries were the Airline, Beeline and Crosline. One wonders what a fourth "D" boat would have been. Photographer unknown, though I suspect it is a Williamson.

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This is an original AP photo. This is the what happened to the Golden Bear on her way up from California. PSN announced that they were going to rebuild her as a single-ender and name her Chetzemoka but it was found there was a twist in her keel so it never happened. She was turned into a barge and managed to sink once in that capacity. She was then hauled up to Vancouver and became part of a breakwater.

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My father commuted via WSF for over forty years, save for a two year stint in the army from 65-67 I think it was. When he got back the first new boats were coming online...this shot of the Hiyu was taken when she was brand-spanking new and just put on the Point Defiance run.

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As a commuter for so long, I wanted to know his specific memories on the boats. This was shortly before he retired, so he wasn't particularly philosophical about his years commuting. He did figure out exactly how many years he'd spent actually on the ferry once though. ;) I can't remember the exactly figure but it was over three years. In any event, when I asked him about his memories, Pop responded in his usual manner. About the Kalakala: "The roof leaked, I remember that. There was water on the floor every time it rained."

Since retiring he's been able to look back on his years of commuting a little more fondly. He now speaks reverently of the San Mateo, saying how no one cared how slow she was--they all knew she was a special boat and people loved riding her. He has also spoken with great admiration of the woodwork in the Chippewa.

Now, where was his camera during all this time you might ask? Like most commuters...the boats were simply there. I think he wishes now he had taken more photos. I have thus far found only three or four prints in my parents thousands of photos. There is some film footage of my sister at two running around a fairly new Elwha. Dad snapped the photo of the Hyak above just after she had arrived--likely from the deck of the Tillikum, given the angle. It's a nice close up of the high paint line and I used it in the book.



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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #6 on Nov 5, 2009, 10:35pm »
The photograph of the Beeline got me wondering: what was the last single ended car ferry to operate in Puget Sound? I would guess it's been fifty years at least, since? I'm thinking of vessels on the major runs, as there might have been some odd little ducks like the Beeline that lingered on lesser routes. I'm also not including obvious exceptions like the 'Marguerite, on international runs.

(On second thought, I think I was overlooking the obvious answer: the Kalakala. If so, then what was the next most recent?)
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #7 on Nov 5, 2009, 11:26pm »

Nov 5, 2009, 10:35pm, Neil wrote:
The photograph of the Beeline got me wondering: what was the last single ended car ferry to operate in Puget Sound? I would guess it's been fifty years at least, since? I'm thinking of vessels on the major runs, as there might have been some odd little ducks like the Beeline that lingered on lesser routes. I'm also not including obvious exceptions like the 'Marguerite, on international runs.

(On second thought, I think I was overlooking the obvious answer: the Kalakala. If so, then what was the next most recent?)


According to Skalley's book, I believe that the ENETAI was the last of them. She was retired in 1968.

I think we're not including the passenger only ferries in this subject, as well as the COHO up at Port Angeles.

The most recent single-ended vehicle ferry to appear on Puget Sound was the QUEEN OF BURNABY, operating in disguised names. She was on the Seattle-Victoria run, a run lasting three times longer than what she was accustomed to up on the mainland to Vancouver Island runs in BC. Four and a half hours compared to ninety minutes. She was on the Seattle run until she heard the QUEEN OF SIDNEY crying "I wanna retire" and now takes that ship's spot on the Comox-Powell River run.
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #8 on Nov 6, 2009, 9:52am »
EGFleet; I am really liking the old photos keep them coming. It makes me wish that I was around then to have been able to ride some of those old ferries. The only one I ever got on was the Vashon and she was in pretty sad shape by that time. I really like the one of the "Bainbridge" tied up at Clinton. I can't believe how small the slip was and how much that terminal has changed. It looks like they just tied her up at the end of the dock. Do you have any idea which ferry that photo might have been taken from?
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #9 on Nov 6, 2009, 10:03am »
There were other photos in the case (I found them in a 35mm slide carrier at a thrift store!) that would indicate the photo was taken from the Chetzemoka.*

*okay, Chetzemoka I. ;)
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #10 on Nov 6, 2009, 9:14pm »
I think I posted these before, but this seems to be a good place to re-post them.

Klickitat from Orcas Island, 1974. This one was taken by a local Orcas photographer
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postcard of Klickitat in her Blackball livery
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And, this is about the extent of my historical photos, besides the ones of the old steamers I posted in the Postcards thread. I'm looking forward to seeing more of EGfleet's collection.
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #11 on Nov 6, 2009, 10:59pm »
Ok so these aren't all WSF but they are close that or they have connections to the ferries in the Washington and BC Waters. ;)

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Used to go to West Seattle, before she went down to Ca.


One of her many looks over the years.
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Engineers strike..


As she first looked when she was built in Maine and then Went to Hawaii. The Steilacoom !!
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That skyline sure has changed..
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Now a few old post cards from back east
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #12 on Nov 7, 2009, 12:02am »
In the photo above during the engineers strike where we see three ferries tied up, all are identifiable. Looking from west to east, we see the CHIPPEWA, WILLAPA, and KALAKALA. It should have been then when the ferries would get radar. This feature separated the ENETAI and WILLAPA appearance a little bit. The ENETAI had her radar atop her wheelhouse while the WILLAPA had hers atop the crew quarters behind her wheelhouse.

Interesting to see the Northern Pacific Railway logo on that dock. And to be near the WILLAPA. Both were related, rail operational-wise. The WILLAPA was named FRESNO and originally operated for the Southern Pacific Railroad automobile ferry division. I should also add the KALAKALA as well. Her hull was originally the PERALTA for the Key System, another railway operator down in the Bay Area.
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #13 on Nov 7, 2009, 6:24am »
Here's the Yakima's inaugural cruise booklet...
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One of my favorite photos of the Vashon in my collection. Written on the back is: 2/74. Evening light on Cascades beyond Everett. Ferry at Columbia Beach. Telephoto brings mts. closer.

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The Willapa ending her days as the Fresno on San Francisco Bay.

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This postcard shot is heavily retouched by the photographer, the NW's famous Asahel Curtis. Hard to see resized like this, but the full scan shows all his corrections.
http://tinyurl.com/willapa-BIG

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A print of this photo was once in the passenger cabin of the Yakima. It is the Willapa's lunch counter. Seated at the counter is a rather famous face...at least as far as the history of the Puget Sound Navigation Company goes...

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And the close up reveals Mr. William O. Thorniley, the brilliant publicist for PSN. Mr. Thorniley was the man responsible for choosing the names of the ferries. He chose the name Kalakala and mounted the publicity campaign for the ferry. Captain Peabody, the story goes, wanted to name her Willapa, after the company's first vessel.

More to come...
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #14 on Nov 7, 2009, 9:42am »
These historic photos are amazing! - keep 'em coming. I have one more with a personal connection. This is a picture of my grandpa with my older cousin when he was just a little kid, riding the Evergreen State to Sidney in 1967.

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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #15 on Nov 7, 2009, 11:51am »
I knew I had some more of these first few.

Here is a color version of the Steilacoom as she first looked.
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more strike..
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We almost lost her back then..
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #16 on Nov 7, 2009, 1:15pm »
whidbey: The 'Kathleen pictures might be better placed in the Princess Kathleen thread on page 2 of 'BC's historic ships', since she was CPR.
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #17 on Nov 7, 2009, 1:40pm »
She sailed the waters from Seattle to Alaska and everywhere in-between and they go there or under Alaska ferries too. since these were taken there where she sank.

???

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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #18 on Nov 7, 2009, 2:39pm »
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The first Olympic, a truly lovely little steam ferry.


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A better shot of her from the same series...

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The San Diego having just arrived from San Diego. Caption reads: The San Diego on Vancouver Shipyard's syncrolift.


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Nice aerial shot of Keystone Harbor with the San Diego at the dock.

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The San Diego making a landing at Keystone.

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The texas deck of the Tillikum not long after she went into service.
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #19 on Nov 7, 2009, 3:34pm »
Wow, :o Hats off to EGfleet !!! Now those are some really cool photos. :D
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #20 on Nov 7, 2009, 9:27pm »
The photo of the Tillikum must be from the mid 60's or later. The Akli and Duwamish are at the present Fire Station 5. IIRC, the old station was torn down in 1963.

By the time they moved out of old Station 5 the pilings were in such bad shape that the building would pull away from the sea wall a few inches if they backed the pumper in quickly and hit the brakes. The station then swayed back toward Alaskan Way and shuddered when it crashed back into the concrete. Apparently Engine 5 loved to do this when returning from late night alarms to let the fireboat crews, who usually got to sleep through the night, know they were back. Most of the fireboat pilots and engineers slept on the boats.
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #21 on Nov 8, 2009, 6:31am »
Some random snapshots I've collected...

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A very old snap of the Defiance while at work for the Washington Navigation Company. Taken from a fishing boat.

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A print from the Black Ball office, still bearing the crop marks. This photo of the Bainbridge was used on Black Ball brochures which had the fleet guides on them for a number of years.

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A snapshot from the top deck on the Iroquois, looking toward the ladies lounge.

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"Oh Marge! You silly!"
One wonders why the photographer felt the need to snap a photo of Grandma exiting the stall. The photo is noted with "on Seattle ferry" and the floor tile matches the Kalakala...

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A rare shot of the Kalakala during the World's Fair with the "Century 21" logo on her side. Note the "Galaxy Gold" on the Space Needle. Originally the Needle was three colors...Galaxy Gold on the top, "Rocket Red" on the spokes and...a third which I can't recall right now. Barnacle or perhaps Ferrynut will likely know... :)

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A much older snapshot taken from either the Enetai or Willapa (the Chippewa's railing was capped with a teak) showing a vastly different skyline and the Kalakala pulling away from Colman Dock.
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #22 on Nov 11, 2009, 8:11am »
I may have posted these Chinook shots at one time or other...hope not though.

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Arrival in Victoria.

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A lovely shot of a two-year old Chinook in Victoria. Another great color slide.

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One of my favorite shots--another slide--taken in 1954 in Victoria.

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A very early shot of the City of Bremerton. Aside from the Barlow steam elevator on her front, she's still flying the old PSN flag, which changed in...1926/27 to the more familiar Black Ball flag.

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Edmonds and the Illahee in the 1960's. (Illahee is noted on the back for those who might protest that it is the Nisqually. ;) )

Incidentally, if anyone wants to see a specific vessel, let me know and I'll see what I can dig up. :D
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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #23 on Nov 11, 2009, 10:10am »
Okay, I had a request for the lovely City of Sacramento on Puget Sound.


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Tied up along with the Malahat and Quillayute.

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Steaming along with the Malahat on the Bremerton run. (Bayless collection)

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A rare shot of the City of Sacramento sailing at full speed toward Seattle. (Williamson/PSMHS/MOHAI collection)

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A great shot of the big steamer sailing into Seattle. (Williamson/PSMHS/MOHAI)

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This photo by Joe Williamson is the most common one seen of her. I've got this photo which has Williamson's stamp on the back and the postcard version of the same photo. There are a few of these that were hand tinted that exist, but I'm not sure who did it--not likely it was Williamson who worked exclusively in black and white.

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Re: Historic WSF Photos
« Reply #24 on Nov 11, 2009, 10:21am »
Great historic pics! I love seeing the old ferries.
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