M/V North Island 1923

Length: 214.1  Width: 44.4  Draft: 15.2  594 Gross Tons. Diesel-electric powered, propeller drive, wooden hull hull. Engines replaced in 1953 with two 400 Horse Power Drawing by Johan Iversen.

Originally named the Golden West , the North Island was built  in 1923 by James Robertson at Alameda , California as part of the Golden Gate Ferry Company's Fleet.  Later she joined the combined Southern-Pacific-Golden Gate Ferry Company, but was surplused afte the bridges were completed.  She was acquired by the SDCF Co.  in 1938.      Retired in 1969 with the rest of the fleet, the North Island went on to become an abalone processor  in Ensenada Harbor for years, but was eventually abandonded and sank.      Google Earth used to show the wreck of the ferry just across from where SS Catalina was located.  When the photos were updated showing images from 2007, the wreck had vanished.

The Golden West not long before she was retired.  Author's collection.

The Google Earth shot o Ensenada Harbor  showing the wreck of the North Island.  An updated photo of the same area no longer shows the wreck.  Author's collection.

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As the North Island in service on San Diego Bay about 1950.   Author's collection.