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Post by Esquimalt Queen on Sept 27, 2008 23:18:50 GMT -8
The photo with the caption "One thing I certainly won't miss, is these Beer goggle windows." makes miss Jacqueline look like she has fat rolls!
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Post by chinook2 on Sept 28, 2008 10:00:52 GMT -8
At least the Tsawwassen got a cake and a hand shake, and that she worked hard right up to retirement--no long months and years spent tied up at Deas waiting for an emergency or relief gig, like the Salty, Vesuvius, Nicola, Savioe, Vicky, etc.
A great old trouper, and the Queen of Versatility. Life will never be as easy for the refit schedulers at BCFS without her.
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Post by Mike C on Sept 28, 2008 10:24:08 GMT -8
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Koastal Karl
Voyager 
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Sept 28, 2008 10:38:23 GMT -8
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Post by Canucks on Sept 28, 2008 11:41:22 GMT -8
More splendid pictures! Thanks guys. Did they blow her horn at all, or was it just the bell that they rang.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Sept 28, 2008 11:58:47 GMT -8
Thanks for all the pics everyone. I think you summed up the day very well. For those of us who couldn't be there we have a record of the historic event.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 28, 2008 12:15:27 GMT -8
I've deleted the various "why couldn't I go" and "this is why you couldn't go" posts from this thread. This isn't the place for that back&forth, and so there's no need to get sidetracked on that issue once again. ie. there's no need for discussion on that issue anymore.
It was a fun trip, and it was a private trip (as far as forum-members' participation was concerned). Simple as that.
I hope that everyone enjoyed reading about it......just as I've enjoyed reading about other people's trips that I didn't go on.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 28, 2008 16:42:26 GMT -8
Did they blow her horn at all, or was it just the bell that they rang. No horns were blown during the ceremony.....or immediately before or after. Apparently the ship recently had a problem with its horn not stopping.......a continuous blast that even the "silence button" could not stop. |
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Post by Curtis on Sept 28, 2008 17:05:54 GMT -8
Congratulations guys you're the last members aboard the Tsawwassen.  I'll miss the old girl (c'mon man you promised not to cry) I can't keep this to myself... I'll show you what I did earlier today to honor the Tsawwassen's 48 Years when I get my photos uploaded and this hard drive to work. Apparently the ship recently had a problem with its horn not stopping.......a continuous blast that even the "silence button" could not stop. That can only mean one thing. She knew it was the end, so she cried her airchimes off. |
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Post by Curtis on Sept 28, 2008 18:47:28 GMT -8
Here's my Visual Tribute to the Tsawwassen. I did this at Little River Terminal while waiting for the 3:15 Ferry. This was done to honor her life with BCFS because of her Decommissioning which happened the day before.   You might notice in this photo her stripes are like her original Pastel Blue. But I didn't go into great detail for the dogwood on the funnel.  You might also notice I put a little Ship's Bell on the Mast. Probably the only error in this was that the Forward Lounge structure was a bit too far forward.    After this photo was done it was time for loading so I took the piece of driftwood I used to draw the picture from my hand print as a reminder of it.  You could see it from the Queen of Burnaby if you looked closely.   |
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 29, 2008 8:12:36 GMT -8
BC Ferries could only hope in their wildest dreams that all the new-builds from the V class to the Super C's and the NorEx. will be as sturdy and dependable, albeit lacking in some of the finer ship board amenities we enjoy on today's vessels, as the now retired Queens of Sidney and Tsawwassen gave us for those many years. Sadly, a fine era has come to pass.
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,887 
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Post by Mill Bay on Sept 29, 2008 13:31:14 GMT -8
BC Ferries could only hope in their wildest dreams that all the new-builds from the V class to the Super C's and the NorEx. will be as sturdy and dependable, albeit lacking in some of the finer ship board amenities we enjoy on today's vessels, as the now retired Queens of Sidney and Tsawwassen gave us for those many years. Sadly, a fine era has come to pass. This is very true. We've discussed this quite a bit on the trip that day, as to why people think they need to have so many ammenities even on a simple ferry trip. It seems to be a social cultural thing regarding our incessant need to have all of our whims catered to. The old coastal steamships generally all had dining facilities, but the passage on board one was generally much longer then on a ferry crossing. But when you consider that you've probably left the house in a rush, with no breakfast or lunch, gone back two or three times to get stuff you forget and finally got all the kids in the car, you'd probably be pretty hungry by the time you got on the ferry. My one question is why they couldn't at least have maintained some of the design details in the newer generation of ships. It should be easy enough in these days of high technology to completely re-engineer the design so that what comes out is all state of the art on the inside, but would still look and feel exactly like the Queen of Tsawwassen on the outside  . Photos of the final voyage on the Tsawwassen... A Voyage Back in Time  Some of us took a last turn steering the old ship.    I very much wanted to have had the opportunity to climb the mast to her crow's nest, but Captain Capacci said it would have raised far too many safety concerns, especially since we were technically not even on BCFerries property, but in the Deas yard, so liability issues would've been very big. As it was, I was doing enough tripping, especially around the anchor gear on the foredeck. Neil assumed I was attempting to get into the history books as being the last passenger injury on the Tsawwassen.  Only a final whistle salute to the sky for Queen of Tsawwassen Signs of an empty ship     Chris didn't want to try on any more safey gear...  I was bad, and uncovered the aft steering station to reveal a real ship's wheel     Apparently, this bell was removed within a very short time following the ceremony... I hope it is because they don't want to lose it like they did with the Sidney's.   According to one of the officers on the last sailing out of Saltery Bay that we did, the bell, compass binacle and the bridge wheel station are supposed to go to one of the maritime museums. Hopefully they will grab that wood wheel off the aft station, too.   An empty ship, but with some signs of life...     And... one last look back at what has been... it always felt so relieving to be able to climb the stairs and see that sign.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2008 14:53:34 GMT -8
that man in the second last picture is micheal I cant remember his last but i have met him before. |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Sept 29, 2008 18:04:30 GMT -8
When I am on the ferry it is a special event so I don't tend to use any of the services except get my Original Double Triple O if I have come right from the airport. I skip the fries. Add one or two Lattes depending on how cold it is out. Otherwise I am right outside. I usually scan the giftshop - particularly what books on the coast there are. I think I have only been in the buffet on a Spook once.
However on the other extreme there is the Coho. I love the ferry and love the trip. However, the snack bar is nothing to write home about. This is accentuated by the fact you are in the holding compound for a while before the trip. I typically don't purchase anything except maybe a hot drink.
So compare $15 to $20 or more if I get a book to $2. It is no wonder all those services turn so much profit for BCFC.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 29, 2008 18:13:44 GMT -8
After the ceremony, we gathered in the cafeteria to observe some discussion & bargaining between a forum-member and an urban-peasant.  I can't remember all the details of the exchange, but I think there was talk about postage-stamp collections and whether the 'Tsawwassen galley had any surplus raspberry-sauce. Once it was established (beyond the scope of rumour) that there was indeed surplus raspberry-sauce on hand, it was up to the free-market (by way of debate) to decide what the price would be. The other members are captivated by the moment, wondering how high or low the negotiated-price of the raspberry sauce will be. Here's the conversation: ============ These 3 members were placing bets on what the raspberry-sauce price would be. - The fellow in the middle is worried, as he thinks his pool-bet was too high, and that the member would actually secure a much lower price for the sauce. - The fellow on the right is wondering what the raspberry sauce would taste like if it was mixed 50/50 with rum. |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Sept 29, 2008 18:36:42 GMT -8
;D ;D ;D He was a likeable guy but the messiest and most cavalier cook I have ever seen. He sold enough books but I don't think I would ever buy one  . |
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Post by Balfour on Sept 29, 2008 19:55:21 GMT -8
There's a reason why I sported a fedora hat that day... ;D
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Post by DENelson83 on Sept 29, 2008 23:34:40 GMT -8
Well, the Queen of Tsawwassen is one BC Ferry I never got the chance to sail on. I did sail on the Queen of Sidney once, when my family and I passed through Powell River on our way back home.
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,887
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Post by Mill Bay on Sept 30, 2008 13:12:21 GMT -8
After the ceremony, we gathered in the cafeteria to observe some discussion & bargaining between a forum-member and an urban-peasant. I can't remember all the details of the exchange, but I think there was talk about postage-stamp collections and whether the 'Tsawwassen galley had any surplus raspberry-sauce. Once it was established (beyond the scope of rumour) that there was indeed surplus raspberry-sauce on hand, it was up to the free-market (by way of debate) to decide what the price would be. The other members are captivated by the moment, wondering how high or low the negotiated-price of the raspberry sauce will be. These 3 members were placing bets on what the raspberry-sauce price would be. - The fellow in the middle is worried, as he thinks his pool-bet was too high, and that the member would actually secure a much lower price for the sauce. - The fellow on the right is wondering what the raspberry sauce would taste like if it was mixed 50/50 with rum. I can't quite remember all the details either, but I suppose it's a good thing there is a photographic record. Are you sure someone didn't already sample that raspberry sauce mixed with rum...? I actually very much enjoyed the urban peasant. Especially the song lyrics: I get hungry when I think of you. (I'm hungry right now, at least.) Are there any final bids...? Hearing none, we will sound the ship's horn to declare bidding closed... no guesses as to who won. (just because I think that this was one of the best photos I made that day) And we will now turn to the subject to an open debate as to what the specific nature of the BCFC Austerity Program might be... |
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Post by Barnacle on Sept 30, 2008 16:10:19 GMT -8
I'm going to gamble that the remark was scrawled on the bulkhead of the crew's quarters. it was probably a play on words for something like a "BCFC Prosperity Program" to do with a retirement plan or some such, and the "Austerity Program" is an editorial remark regarding that and, in all likelihood, an observation of the Spartan nature of the quarters.
Just a wild guess, mind you. The joke would certainly translate well within WSF.
*edit to fix an incorrect word where my mind wandered off...*
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Post by bcferryfan87 on Oct 2, 2008 20:24:22 GMT -8
I know this is a long shot, but.....does anyone know if there is still a chance to get on the Tsawassen to take a quick look - anyone have any strings they can pull? I never got on the Tsawassen and thought I'd live with it; but now I'm sort of regretting not getting on it.
Any comments are appreciated!
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Post by Canucks on Oct 2, 2008 20:28:08 GMT -8
Sorry, but I think you are out of luck. The only way I could think of getting on would be if you knew a Deas worker really well or if you could sneak on somehow (not suggesting it though). Luckily though, there are lots of amazing pictures on this forum that are pretty close to the real thing.
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Post by bcferryfan87 on Oct 2, 2008 21:16:25 GMT -8
Hey "canucks" thanks for the reply. Yes, I figured that is likely the scenario too (e.g. I would need to know someone and presently I'm not aware of any such connections that I have).
I will - as you wisely pointed out - savour these well done pics. The part I was probably most curious about and I'll review pics to see if they cover this, is how the cafeteria/what would be the dining room/old buffet on the Tsawassen. That is - to speak english rather than my garble I just did - I am wondering the layout of cafeteria; it looks like on one pic that there are windows all around (err )...on the back/stern of cafeteria, plus sides; where as all the ships I've been on (Vancouver, saanich, esquimalt, etc) , that area would have been the kitchen area, and on the upper deck area on these ships - where buffet once was - that back/stern was also a kitchen/prep area.
I will savour my memories of the Esquimalt and the many other ships I've been on and will be on in the future. Just the way it went that I couldn't make it work to get on Tsawassen, and I accepted it at time, but now sorta regretting it - oh well. Just like I did with the MAggie, in not getting on it ....heck I got on the VIP so I'll justify it to myself that way (plus I did get on the Princess Pat and George when they were tied up in 86 at New West)!.
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Post by bcferryfan87 on Oct 3, 2008 10:17:14 GMT -8
Question on this ship - not to clutter up with a somewhat repeating post:
Upon further study of pics, can anyone tell me what the upper deck (aka old dining room/buffet facilities on Q Of Van, Esq, etc) was used for on Tsawassen?
That is, can you tell me was it just seats in there. I never had noticed that until recently from pics (not ever being on it), that there are/were windows all around it (port, starboard and stern); the post stretch ships all I believe had galley there for when it was the dining room/buffet.
Replies appreciated.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
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Post by FNS on Oct 3, 2008 10:35:42 GMT -8
The aft window area on the Sun Deck aboard the MV QUEEN OF TSAWWASSEN and MV QUEEN OF SIDNEY was a seating lounge. Have a look at "Ferryman"'s excellent photo site: photosbychris2006.fotopic.net/Click on the TSAWWASSEN's link and you'll see some pics of this lounge. |
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I'll miss the old girl (c'mon man you promised not to cry) I can't keep this to myself... 
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