The Kalakala--the Washington State Ferries Years




	M.V. KALAKALA Official Number: 226244 Radio Call Numbers: WA6703 Peralta Built in Oakland, CA, 1926. Kalakala Built on Peralta's Hull, Houghton, WA, 1934-35. Length 276.5 Beam: 55.7' Draft: 16' Autodeck Clearance: 11.2' Propulsion: direct drive Busch-Sulzer diesel, 3000 HP Speed: 16 knots Autos: 110 Passengers: 1,943 Gross/Net Tons 1417/963 Name Translation: Chinook jargon, "Flying Bird" The major change to the Kalakala in the early years of State ownership was a green stripe around her gaurds. She is seen here at the dock in Victoria. Author's collection.

The Washington State Ferries Years After the State took over operations in 1951, there were some immediate cosmetic changes to the ferry. She had a green stripe painted around her guards, and her interior was repainted in white and green enamel paint. All the seats were reupholstered in green, and the balustrades on the stairs were painted green. Washington State Ferries kept her on the usual Seattle to Bremerton route, although when Black Ball Ferries Ltd. of Canada suddenly withdrew the Chinook from the Victoria to Port Angels run, WSF assigned her to that route in the summers from 1955 to 1960. Still the most popular ferry in the fleet, early publicity from Washington State Ferries promoted the Kalakala heavily. On schedules and brochures were drawings or images of the famous streamlined ferry. In an effort to stabilize her, they fitted her with a five-blade prop which helped smoothed her out somewhat. When the Evergreen State appeared in 1954 the Kalakala once again found herself deposed as the company icon. Still, at the time of the World's Fair in 1962, the nearly 30 year old vessel was rated as the number two attraction. From and economic standpoint, however for the State of Washington in early 1960's found an aging vessel of light steel construction that was deteriorating rapidly. As early as 1960 the ferry system was considering retiring the ferry. Her 55 foot beam limited her car capacity, and her huge 3000 hp Busch-Sulzer diesel was increasingly expensive to maintain and operate. However, ridership on the ferries was continually going up, and even if only about 50 cars could be put on the ferry, that capacity meant that there would be 50 fewer cars left at the dock. The ferry went into Todd shipyard for another major overhaul and upgrading. Her hull was found to be very sound, but the steel in her passenger cabin was showing obvious wear and needed extensive repairs. While at Todd, the ferry very nearly went up in flames again when a massive fire swept through the shipyard. High and dry in the dock, the Kalakala was a sitting duck, until some tugs arrive and pulled the floating drydock into Elliott Bay. This time the ferry was safe from the flames and lived to sail another day. Washington State Ferries, in an effort to modernize the fleet, simply could not run the Kalakala cost-effectively. With the addition of the Super Class ferries, time finally ran out for the old streamliner. She made her last run on 7 August, 1967. For the last year or so of her life, her bow doors were removed and her forward opening widened to allow her to unload and load at the new Colman Dock. The removal of the doors gave the streamlined vessel the look of a perpetual yawn. She was withdrawn from service and moved to Eagle Harbor and put up for sale, a large advertisement placed in the Seattle papers. Speculation ran high as to what would happen to the ferry next, including keeping her in Seattle as a floating restaurant or attraction of some sort, but in the end she would end up in much less glamorous service.




The rather plain color scheme of state ownership didn't detract from the Kalakala. Showing here in the 1960's, one of the ferry's unique fire nozzels is evident. Courtesy Washington State Ferries. At right, by the 1960's the Ladies Lounge was denuded of the heavy velvet curtains, but the original Black Ball line chiars remained. Courtesy Washington State Ferries.



The Kalakala's narrow 55 foot beam was her main downfall. She simply could not handle larger cars. The lane on the right is in fact for cars. Courtesy PSMHS/MOHAI. Color by Nevermore Images. At right, in the early years of operation WSF was a little slap-happy with their new green paint, as evidence on the Kalakala's forward staircase. This staircase would be stripped from the vessel while being turned into a cannery. Courtesy PSMHS/MOHAI. Color by Nevermore Images.

to Alaska & Back to the CHIPPEWA RETIRED FERRIES HOME


		Final years and the "Gaping Maw" The Kalakala's final days were marred by her being disfigured by the removal of the bow doors and the opening to the car deck being enlarged to load two lanes of traffic. Photo courtesy of Washington State Ferries.