The M/V ENETAI

The Enetai: A Graceful Retirement

The Enetai as she looks today, moored at Pier 3 in San Francisco. She remains one of the few Washington State Ferries that has had a successful retirement. Courtesy of Matt Masuoka.

M/V ENETAI
Built: Alameda, CA 1927 Length: 256' Beam: 66' Draft: 12' 9"
Autodeck Clearance: 12' Propulsion: Busch-Sulzer diesel, 2800 HP
(direct drive) Speed: 15 knots Autos: 90
Official Number: 226599 Radio Call Number: WA4715
Passengers: 1500. Direct Sister to the Nisaqually and Quinault.
Name Translation: "Across, on the other side"

    Arriving on Puget Sound after PSN purchased the six ferries in August of 1940, the newly renamed Enetai did not emerge from her refitting as a single-ended ferry for the Bremerton run until April of 1941.Constructed as the Northwestern Pacific ferry Santa Rosa, the Enetai is a success story on all fronts--not only for her many years of service for both Puget Sound Navigation and Washington State Ferries, but in her retirement as the headquarters for Hornblower Yachts.
     With her running mates, the Kalakala and the Chippewa the ferry settled into a comfortable schedule that she would maintain for over 25 years. However, just like the Willapa the Enetai's single-ended configuration would end her career on Puget Sound.
          Although she lasted longer than the Willapa, (which was taken out of service as soon as the Hyak arrived), once the Yakima took her place on the Bremerton route, the Enetai was sent into retirement. Still, for a time before the Yakima arrived, the ferry enjoyed a quiet "twilight time" while people strolled her decks in the summer sun of 1967. Taken out of service, the ferry and her sister spent time in Eagle Harbor until the official FOR SALE sign went up.
     Purchased by Donald Clair in 1968 as a replacement for the burned out Chippewa, she was towed to San Francisco under her old name, Santa Rosa and sat unused until Hornblower Yachts purchased the run down boat in 1989.
      Hornblower Yachts restored the ferry much to her old Southern Pacific look. Her second wheel house was rebuilt, she was painted completely white and the large windows on her car deck were restored. They did not restore the original outline of her passenger cabin, however, and she retained the floorplan built into her in 1941.
     Available now for large fully catered parties that including dancing and music, the old Santa Rosa, ex-Enetai proves that old ferries don't always outlive their usefulness.
     She is currently moored at Pier 3 in San Francisco. You can find out more about her HERE.

Southern Pacific was very good at promoting itself, particularly with postcards. By the time this postcard was mailed, the days of the ferryboat on San Francisco Bay were drawing to a close. Author's collection.

Reconfigured and renamed, the Enetai sails toward Bremerton from Seattle. On balmy Puget Sound days the decks and rails were always lined with passengers enjoying the sun. Author's collection.

Flag flying from her stern, the Enetai pulls away from the Bremerton dock in the 1960's. Soon she would be put out of a job. Author's collection.

The Enetai in her heyday with Washington State Ferries. Although she and the Willapa were "portholed" they were not sponsoned out like the four Steel Electrics were in the late 50's. Author's collection.

The Santa Rosa's original wheelhouse. The one on the other end is a dummy rebuilt after she returned to San Francisco. Courtesy of D. Lund.

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The Santa Rosa in August, 2001. Photo courtesy Joe Thompson. Be sure to visit his website! Click here.