The Ferry Skansonia




	M.V. SKANSONIA Offical Number: 229088 Radio Call Number: WA7467 Built: Skansie Brothers Shipyard, Gig Harbor, WA, 1929. Lengeth: 164' 6" Beam: 50' 11" Draft: 8' 8" Auto Deck Clearance: 11' Speed: 8 Knots Propulsion: Fairbanks-Morse Diesel Autos: 32 Passengers: 465. At Tahlequah, the Skanonia loads cars headed for Tacoma in the 1950's. Courtesy of Matt Masuoka.

Sitting on Lake Union is a ferry that was once familiar to hundreds commuting between Point Defiance and Vashon Island. The small Skansonia, which sailed for Washington State Ferries on the route for nearly 20 years on the run is today largely forgotten. Constructed in 1929 by the Skansie Brother shipyard for their Washington Navigation Company, the Skansonia and her near twin sister Defiance worked the route between Gig Harbor and Tacoma. The ferry would have quite a long life span, considering that from keel-laying to her first day of service only took a total of 12 weeks. The wooden wonder was put out of a job breifly in 1940 when the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened. The ferry moved from the now defunct Gig Harbor route to crossing between the southern end of Vashon Island at Tahlequah to Tacoma. It was a short lived stint: in October of 1940 the bridge would break apart in high wind and plummet to the bottom of the Narrows. A contract with the State was drawn up for immediate ferry service to begin again, and from 1940 until 1950 the Skansonia shuttled cars and passengers from Gig Harbor on the Kitsap Peninsula to Tacoma. Finally in October of 1950 the new Tacoma Narrows bridge opened and the Skansonia was out of job for good on that route. When the contract with the State ended, the Skansonia was picked up and became part of the new Washington State Ferries in 1951. She stayed basically in her old neighborhood, running from Vashon Island to Point Defiance. From 1950 and for the next 17 years the little Skansonia worked the route, losing it only when a new steel ferry specially constructed for the route took over. The Skansonia made her last crossing from Tahlequah to Point Defiance on 20 July, 1967, surrendering the route to the new Hiyu. The ferry sat out the 1968 season and remained idled until the summer of 1969 when she worked the weekend overloads on the Clinton-Mukilteo route. It was her last bit of work of Washington State Ferries. On 14 September, 1969 she returned to Eagle Harbor and was tied up. Declared surplus in 1971, the ferry was sold and moved to Lake Washington, where for a number of years she was used as a private residence. In the mid 1980's she was renovated as a banquet hall and moved to Lake Union. She's been very successful in this reincarnation, having hosted hundreds of weddings over the last 20 years. For a time she was joined by the Kalakala on the Lake, a pairing that was not always appreciated. The vessel is a rare example of the Puget Sound ferry that stayed in home waters and became a success after retirement. Hopefully she can serve as an example for other retirees in years to come.




The upper cabin of the ferry today. On the walls are copies of vintage copies of Sunset magainze. Courtesy of Matt Masuoka At right, once crowded with DeSotos, Packards and Studebakers, the car deck now hosts weddings, banquets and social events. Courtesy of Matt Masuoka.




A few pieces of her history with working with Washington State Ferries survive. Above it, the original brass signage from the Washington Navigation Company. Below, the ferry as seen from the Ship Canal Bridge. At right, The little ferry looks right at home on Lake Union. Courtesy of Matt Masuoka. Below, two more photos by Mr. Masuoka, showing that the ferry is in need of drydocking and that part of the original car deck rail has been replaced.

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