Let’s remember when the Kaleetan ferry rammed into the Seattle Ferry Terminal, on this day in 1968 (May 8)
While looking for something to blog about for today, this showed up in my Twitter feed:
May 8 has proven to be a cursed day for the Kaleetan, per this story from HistoryLink:
On May 8, 1968, the superferry Kaleetan smacks into a slip at the Seattle Ferry Terminal, damaging five automobiles on the car deck. Except for a few minor bumps and scrapes, the crew and passengers avoid injury.
Returning from Winslow just before 6:30 p.m., the ferry experienced trouble about a half-mile from the terminal when the engines lost power. Realizing that the ship was not slowing fast enough, crewmembers under the direction of George Brazeau ran to the forward automobiles and warned the occupants to run to the rear of the vessel.
The ferry struck a wingwall and then slammed into the slip at about ten knots, tossing cars about. A projection on the pier smashed through the windshield of the lead car, but due to the quick actions of the crew, all on board were safe.
We’ve got 18 more May eighths to see what else can happen, as the Kaleetan is scheduled for retirement in 2027.
