Leschi (steam ferry)
Encyclopedia
Leschi was a steam ferry that operated on Lake Washington
from 1913 to 1950, and afterwards on Puget Sound
until 1967. From 1969 to 1986 the vessel was a floating cannery in Alaska.
for the Seattle Port Commission
. The paddle wheels were designed to give less water resistance by being “feathering” which allowed the vessel to move faster through the water.
The steeel hull was built on the East Waterway of the Duwamish River
. Once the hull was complete, it was disassembled and transported to Rainer Beach on Lake Washington
. Once there, the hull was reassembled by J.F Dulthie, the machinery was installed, and the upper works (these were of wood) were constructed.. The ferry was launched on December 6, 1913. Conducting the christening was Eleanor Chittenden, daughter of the well-known Army engineer Hiram M. Chittenden
(1858–1917), and also chairman of the Port Commission, who spoke at the ceremony.
In 1931 Leshi was rebuilt. The sidewheelers were removed and the ferry was converted to propeller drive. The steam engine was replaced by a 500 hp diesel. This increased the speed from 8 kn (15.68 km/h)to 12 kn (23.52 km/h). Later in 1931 the ferry was renamed the Ballard and placed on the Ballard to Suquamish
run. Leschi continued to operate on the Lake Washington even after the completion of the first floating bridge across the lake
in 1940.
In 1948, Leschi was the last ferry operating on Lake Washington. Mrs. J.L. Anderson, the widow of Capt. John L. Anderson (1868–1941), was operating the vessel at that time. The City of Kirkland then took over operation of the ferry, with King County maintaining the two terminals one at Madison Park
and the other at Kirkland.
Leschi remained in service on Lake Washington until 1950. The ferry was then transferred to the Vashon
– Fauntleroy and the Mulkilteo ferry routes. In 1951 the then new Washington State Ferry
system purchased Leschi.
In 1967, Leschi was sold to Cape St. Elias Ocean Products Company. In 1969, at a cost of $200,000, Leschi was refitted at the Ballard Marine Center to serve as a cannery. The vessel then was transferred to Leschi Alaska where it was operated as floating salmon and crab cannery off Cordova
and Valdez
until 1986 when near Valdez the vessel capsized.
Lake Washington
Lake Washington is a large freshwater lake adjacent to the city of Seattle. It is the largest lake in King County and the second largest in the state of Washington, after Lake Chelan. It is bordered by the cities of Seattle on the west, Bellevue and Kirkland on the east, Renton on the south and...
from 1913 to 1950, and afterwards on Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
until 1967. From 1969 to 1986 the vessel was a floating cannery in Alaska.
Career
Leschi was originally built a side-wheel ferry by the Seattle firm of J. F. Duthie & CompanyJ. F. Duthie & Company
J. F. Duthie & Company was a small shipyard in Seattle, Washington. It was organized in 1911 and expanded in World War I to build cargo ships for the . In 1928 its name was changed to Wallace Bridge Company. Some 27 of the 37 ships ship built at J. F...
for the Seattle Port Commission
Port of Seattle
The Port of Seattle is a port district that runs Seattle's seaport and airport. Its creation was approved by the voters of King County, Washington, on September 5, 1911, authorized by the Port District Act. It is run by a five-member commission. The commissioners' terms run four years...
. The paddle wheels were designed to give less water resistance by being “feathering” which allowed the vessel to move faster through the water.
The steeel hull was built on the East Waterway of the Duwamish River
Duwamish River
The Duwamish River is the name of the lower of Washington state's Green River. Its industrialized estuary is known as the Duwamish Waterway.- History :...
. Once the hull was complete, it was disassembled and transported to Rainer Beach on Lake Washington
Lake Washington
Lake Washington is a large freshwater lake adjacent to the city of Seattle. It is the largest lake in King County and the second largest in the state of Washington, after Lake Chelan. It is bordered by the cities of Seattle on the west, Bellevue and Kirkland on the east, Renton on the south and...
. Once there, the hull was reassembled by J.F Dulthie, the machinery was installed, and the upper works (these were of wood) were constructed.. The ferry was launched on December 6, 1913. Conducting the christening was Eleanor Chittenden, daughter of the well-known Army engineer Hiram M. Chittenden
Hiram M. Chittenden
Hiram Martin Chittenden was the Seattle district engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers for whom the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington, were named.-Early Life:...
(1858–1917), and also chairman of the Port Commission, who spoke at the ceremony.
In 1931 Leshi was rebuilt. The sidewheelers were removed and the ferry was converted to propeller drive. The steam engine was replaced by a 500 hp diesel. This increased the speed from 8 kn (15.68 km/h)to 12 kn (23.52 km/h). Later in 1931 the ferry was renamed the Ballard and placed on the Ballard to Suquamish
Suquamish, Washington
Suquamish is a census-designated place in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 4,140 at the 2010 census. Located within the Port Madison Indian Reservation, it is the burial site of Chief Seattle.-Geography:...
run. Leschi continued to operate on the Lake Washington even after the completion of the first floating bridge across the lake
Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge
The Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge is a floating bridge that carries the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 across Lake Washington from Seattle to Mercer Island, Washington. It is the second longest floating bridge on Earth at , whereas the longest is the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge just a few...
in 1940.
In 1948, Leschi was the last ferry operating on Lake Washington. Mrs. J.L. Anderson, the widow of Capt. John L. Anderson (1868–1941), was operating the vessel at that time. The City of Kirkland then took over operation of the ferry, with King County maintaining the two terminals one at Madison Park
Madison Park
There are a few places named Madison Park:*Madison Square Park, in Manhattan, New York City*Madison Park , a park in Hoboken, New Jersey*Madison Park , a park in Seattle, Washington...
and the other at Kirkland.
Leschi remained in service on Lake Washington until 1950. The ferry was then transferred to the Vashon
Vashon Island
Vashon is a census-designated place in King County, Washington, United States. It covers an island alternately called Vashon Island or Vashon-Maury Island, the largest island in Puget Sound south of Admiralty Inlet. The population was 10,624 at the 2010 census. At , it is about 60 percent larger...
– Fauntleroy and the Mulkilteo ferry routes. In 1951 the then new Washington State Ferry
Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries is a passenger and automobile ferry service owned and operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation that serves communities on Puget Sound and in the San Juan Islands. It is the most used ferry system in the world and the largest passenger and automobile...
system purchased Leschi.
In 1967, Leschi was sold to Cape St. Elias Ocean Products Company. In 1969, at a cost of $200,000, Leschi was refitted at the Ballard Marine Center to serve as a cannery. The vessel then was transferred to Leschi Alaska where it was operated as floating salmon and crab cannery off Cordova
Cordova, Alaska
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,454 people, 958 households, and 597 families residing in the city. The population density was 40.0 per square mile . There are 1,099 housing units at an average density of 17.9 per square mile...
and Valdez
Valdez, Alaska
Valdez is a city in Valdez-Cordova Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 4,020. The city is one of the most important ports in Alaska. The port of Valdez was named in 1790 after the Spanish naval officer Antonio Valdés y...
until 1986 when near Valdez the vessel capsized.