I remember it well.
Posted on 12/06/2011 12:41:44 PM PST by illiac
Anyone want to buy an old, rusty piece of Seattle history?
The Kalakala ferry – yes, that hunk of junk which sat on Lake Union for years – is up for sale. And for just a buck.
Of course the Kalakala, now in Tacoma and starting to sink, is much more than a disintegrating eyesore; it was once a symbol of Seattle maritime, a flagship of Puget Sound. The silver, art-deco ferry has seen much better days … and much worse ones.
Then there’s the chance that the Coast Guard might seize the boat. The Kalakala’s website notes that the vessel faces seizure on Jan. 1 and that help is needed to keep it afloat.
The Kalakala needs repairs completed to keep her afloat, safe, and comply with a November 2011 United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port Order! We have all the materials and equipment but need welding labor volunteers.
Built in the 1920s, the Kalakala began serving Seattle as a ferry in 1935, according to HistoryLink.org. It sailed the Bremerton route for more than 30 years before it was auctioned off in 1967. That’s when its darkest days began, re-purposed in Alaska as a fish processing ship before being grounded in 1972 as a cannery.
http://www.kalakala.org/
I remember back around 1953, a barge was found abandoned in Panama City, FL, where we were living at the time. It was auctioned off for a dollar.
I remember thinking I could have raised that much if I had known it would go that cheaply.
Of course a six year old has no idea that he would be required to move it etc. I just thought I could go down and play on it anytime I wanted.
I was stationed in USCGC Mallow which was eventually offered on e-bay. Kinda sad to see these vessels die like this. Yeah I know they aren’t living beings but a lot of sailors lives went into them.
I rode on this as a child and have remembered it ever since. Riding on it from Seattle to Bremerton was a special treat from my father.
I remember it well.
I lived in Kodiak when it was towed out of there. Mid-90s?
Beautiful picture! Thank you for posting it!
Great pic....thanks!
WA state ping
Nice photo, we used to ride the Kalakala back in the late 50’s and early 60’s. She vibrated at flank speed like a Model A Ford with a bent wheel.
How “modern” looking it is. The exterior appears to be aluminum, like a Airstream trailer.
Looks like the St Louis Admiral (also recently scrapped)...
The Navy here in Norfolk is looking at buying two Hawaiian inter-island ferries that are docked here at this time. For what use, I have no idea.
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