End Of The Steel Electric's Ferries

[Skagitguy]

Hi Ed, Never heard of that, but if it did happen i would think it would be the Rhododendron or Olympic. Best,Chuck

[McSkagit Tim Jones]

That is a sad ending to the Steel Electric boats

My uncle was master on the Klickitat and Illahee on the Bainbridge run. I used to ride in the wheelhouse as a kid with Uncle Ed.

Those boats were used here in the islands for years. In December 04, one of them ran aground on Reid rock just outside Friday Harbor. SOme months later I got a tour of the engine room and was shown the dent in the hull which still handn't been repaired.

Yes, I suppose metal fatigue and corrosion finally took it's toll on the hulls. They still had the original drive motors in them from 1927! Good riding boats in rough water. Much better than the Elwha.

It's a shame Washington state doesn't have an interest in its marine history. Could have saved one of them!

SAD!

[Skagitguy]

Tim, The photo of the half sunken one in Mexico is the Illahee. The one that is just about totally cut up ( next to the Illahee ) is the Klickitat. Chuck

[McSkagit Tim Jones]

Wow

WOW! Painful to look at!

Tim, The photo of the half sunken one in Mexico is the Illahee. The one that is just about totally cut up ( next to the Illahee ) is the Klickitat. Chuck

[Skagitguy]

Brian, It just it the dock hard. Chuck