KCTC constructed three large ferries between 1925 and 1930 that proved to be reliable, solidly built craft that were extremely versitile in their auto and passenger carrying capacity.
The three--Kitsap, Bainbridge and Vashon were tremendously popular vessels with patrons of KCTC.
All three vessels were built at the Lake Washinton Shipyard at Houghton. The last vessel out of yard, and the largest of the three, was the Vashon. Launched on 10 May, 1930, the ferry mainly served its island namesake until 1941 when the vessel was assigned to the San Juan Islands. For the next nine years the vessel made the rounds in the Islands until the new route between Lofall and Southpoint opened up. She was then moved to Hood Canal, making 28 trips a day until the Olympic took her place in 1954.
After Washington State Ferries took over ferry operations on Puget Sound, the Vashon moved back up to the San Juans. The ferry became synonymous with the route--she stayed working there for the next 18 years. Island residents became protective of their little ferry, giving her the name "old reliable". She was joined by the much larger Evergreen State by the late 1950's, but still held her own, making countless landings at San Juan, Orcas,Shaw and Lopez Islands.
In the early 1970's, the Vashon was displaced by the Jumbo Class Walla Walla, and two Steel Electrics. The Vashon moved over to the Mukilteo run, working Friday through Monday during the fall, spring and summer months. In June of 1978 she went to work on the newly-established "inter-island" run in the San Juans. She was, by this time the last all-wood car ferry in operation on Puget Sound.
Her up-keep was starting to become extremely expensive by this time. The State was scheduled to retire the 40 year old vessel, but the sinking of the Hood Canal Bridge and delays in the delivery of the new Issaquah Class ferries kept the Vashon in service. Despite the dryrot, she could do a day's work, and with the fleet suffering from capacity woes again, the ever-reliable Vashon was called upon to work.
Finally there were enough Issaquah Class ferries in service. The Vashon made her last run in December of 1980, from Mukilteo.
Sold in 1982, the ferry lingered on the waterfront near Colman Dock for a few years. A group called "The Friends of the Vashon" were unable to raise the money to bring her to Friday Harbor for use her as a restaurant or floating resort.
The ferry was sold again, and was used as a hostel in Port Townsend, but she operated in that capacity for only one summer.
Her owner took her to Alaska, planning to use the vessel as a supply boat. Outside of Ketchikan in June of 1986, the Vashon ran aground. For days she leaked oil and sank into the sand. Finally, she rolled on to her side.
The remains of the vessel are still visible on the beach at Johnson Cove in Alaska.
Many a resident of San Juan County mourned her passing. While not always the fastest, most comfortable or most modern, the Vashon could almost always be depended upon.
