Dock Watchers

Where to Spot Seattle's Most Venerable Vessels

These seven boats have illustrious histories.

By Allison Williams Illustrations by Jane Sherman May 29, 2019 Published in the June/July 2019 issue of Seattle Met

Lightship No. 83 Swiftsure

The oldest floating lighthouse, aka a lightship, in the country has been hidden under reconstruction tarps next to MOHAI for years, but her facelift should be finished this fall. nwseaport.org

Illustrations by Jane Sherman

Henry Foss

Foss Maritime has been the first—well, last—name in tugboats since Thea Foss and her husband launched the company with only a row boat in 1889. The classic tractor tug, which chugs through Elliott Bay, is named for their son, who did salvage in Pearl Harbor after the attack.

Illustrations by Jane Sherman

Daedalus

Built by Seattle’s own Delta Marine, one of the world’s best and biggest luxury yacht makers, Boeing’s 151-foot company yacht is, like other mega boats, largely out of reach to the public—but often spotted docked in Westlake.

Illustrations by Jane Sherman

Adventuress

The schooner’s 1913 maiden voyage was to take an adventurer to the Arctic to capture a bowhead whale (he failed). Today the National Historic Landmark—in Shilshole Bay in June—hosts youth learning about maritime history and environmental stewardship. soundexp.org

Illustrations by Jane Sherman

USCGC Polar Star

Parked in the ship canal between deployments to Antarctica, the U.S. Coast Guard’s heavy icebreaker has a football-shaped hull that uses the ship’s massive 13,000-ton weight to crush polar ice.

Illustrations by Jane Sherman

Harbor Patrol 9

Of the Seattle Police Department’s dozen or so patrol boats that enforce marine law along 200 miles of city shoreline, the 45-foot no. 9 boat is the speediest, has air conditioning, and can carry SWAT teams around.

Illustrations by Jane Sherman

Virginia V

Like the lightship next door, the historic mosquito fleet steamer is parked in South Lake Union. Fifth in the line of ferries from a former Vashon Island operator, it’s the last remnant of the old passenger boat armada and free to board Thursday through Sunday. virginiav.org

Illustrations by Jane Sherman

Boats, Seattle History, Mohai, Elliott Bay, Shilshole, Seattle Police Department, South Lake Union

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Seattle Met

Where to Spot Seattle's Most Venerable Vessels

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