Update on Chetzemoka

[Skagitguy]

All of the sections of the Chetzemoka have been put together. Notice that there is not any car deck windows. That what the drawings show. The one's you see in the photo's are being cut out for the passenger area's only. The reason is because of the rough crossing on the Port Townsend - Keystone run. No second floor car decks on these ferries. There will be a total of three with the first two on the PT run. Chuck

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/ferries/64carferries/

[John Berg]

Chuck, Lived here all my life and have never heard the word Chetzemoka. Where is it from? John

[Skagitguy]

Hey John ! This is the history about the first Chetzemoka. Arriving on Puget Sound on 26 May, 1938 was the Golden Poppy. One of four near sister ferries recently put out of work on San Francisco Bay, Black Ball sent the all-wood ferry into the yard at Eagle Harbor.
Recondtioned, repainted and renamed, the ferry emerged with the name Chetzemoka. As the name was honoring a friendly Native American cheif in the Port Townsend area, it was only fitting that Black Ball sent her to work on the Port Townsend-Edmonds run.
From 1938 until 1947 the Chetzy as her name was often shortened to, worked the Port Townsend route until she was moved over the the Columbia Beach-Mukilteo run. She stayed on the route as the main ferry until WSF took over ferry operations.
In 1954, the Chetzemoka lost her status as the number one vessel on the Mkilteo route when the recently acquired Olympic was moved to the route. The paring of the two vessels lasted seven years until the Rhoododenron was added to the route, sending the Chetzemoka to reserve status. She then only worked on weekends and as supplimental service during the summers.
In 1962 the Chetzemoka became the only "Wood Electric Class" to work in the San Juan Islands. For the summers of 1962-64 , t the vessel sailed the Anacortes-San Juan Islands route.. In the fall of 1965 she was moved back to the Mukilteo run for extra service. From then on out she divided her time between the Mukilteo-Clinton route and the Kingston-Edmonds route, helping out on weekends with the traffic overflow.
Her last season came in 1973, when she worked as the "Sunday Only" ferry on the Vashon route. On Labor Day of 1973, she made her last run. The cost of hull caulking, keeping the dryrot at bay and her minimal car capacity spelled her end. She was sold in 1975 for $16,000.00 to a California investor who planned to give the Chetzemoka her old name and turn her into a shopping center moored along the San Francisco waterfront.
Under tow to California in heavy seas in the spring of 1977, the Chetzemoka's hull sprung a leak. The pumps were unable to keep up, and after several hours the ferry slipped beneath the waves. She lies there still, 9 miles off the coast near La Push, in 235 feet of water.

Chetzemoka was a S'Klallam Chief. The S'Klallam were led by Chetzemoka's older brother S'Hai-ak when white settlers first arrived in their territory around 1851 and it was he who granted permission for their settlement, Port Townsend. When S'Hai-ak drowned soon after, Chetzemoka succeeded to leadership of the S'Klallam. Chetzemoka was friendly toward the new settlers who dubbed him Duke of York. In the early 1850's he traveled to San Francisco impressing Chetzemoka and solidly placing him as allied to the Americans. He was instrumental in resolving the 1868 Dungeness Massacre when S'Klallam raiders killed 17 Tsimshians. Chetzemoka died at about age eighty. In 1904 the Port Townsend city park was named in his honor. Perhaps as the boat serving Port Townsend, this one would be the most appropriate! Ok, John there's your history lesson on the Ferries for the day. Best,Chuck

[halffast32]

Thanks Chuck. Good stuff!

[Tim_Mattson]

Thanx Chuck,
Always looking for a new fishing spot.9miles out means the coast will disapear as you get there!
Bet there are some huge Lingcod and schools of Seabass lurking the wreck.
TimM

[John Berg]

thanks Chuck

Chuck, That was an interesting read. Its especially fun to hear the history from people I know. I have to hand it to Chetzemoka. Im not to sure if I would have been all that friendly. Of course hindsite is 20-20. John