The Forgotten Fleet

The evolution of the modern ferryboat on Puget Sound has a distinct progression.  First the famed "mosquito fleet" plied the waters of the Sound.  With the advent of the automobile, steamer companies had to find ways to convert their existing fleet to carry cars.  Before the Puget Sound Navigation Company was able to purchase the bulk of its fleet from the discarded San Francisco fleet, a number of steamers were sponsoned out, rebuilt and converted to carry autos.  In addition, Captain Peabody took a few vessels with him to Canada after leaving Puget Sound, creating the blue print from which would spring the largest ferry system in North America. The ferries are all long gone, but their importance both on Puget Sound and the coastal waters of British Columbia  is not lost.  Were it not for this "Rogues Gallery" of vessels, the shape of modern ferry operations might be entirely different.

BLACK BALL FERRIES, LTD, ________________________ CHINOOK (Sechelt Queen) CITY OF SACRAMENTO (Kahloke, Langdale Queen) QUILLAYUTE BAINBRIDGE (Jervis Queen) SMOKWA MALAHAT

PSN CONVERTED STEAMERS ________________________ QUILCENE (City of Bellingham) BALLARD (Liberty,Surfside 9) SEATTLE (H.B. Kennedy) CITY OF BREMERTON (Majestic, Whatcom)

OLYMPIC FERRIES INC. __________________________ FOX ISLAND DEFIANCE SAN DIEGO

LAKE WASHINGTON FERRIES _____________________________________ S.S. WASHINGTON  & LINCOLN

MINOR PSN VESSELS _____________________________________________ VASHONIA, PUGET, CLATAWA & OTHERS

Last Update: July 2009 HOME