The MV Nisqually was a Steel Electric-class ferry formerly operated by Washington State Ferries.

Ferry MV Nisqually on Puget Sound
History
Name
  • 1927–1940: MV Mendocino
  • 1940–2011: MV Nisqually
Owner
Operator
Port of registrySeattle, Washington,  USA
Launched14 April 1927
Completed
  • Built in 1927
  • Rebuilt in 1958 and 1987
In service1927
Out of serviceNovember 20, 2007
Identification
FateScrapped, 2011
General characteristics
Class and typeSteel Electric-class auto/passenger ferry
Tonnage
Length256 ft (78 m)
Beam73 ft 10 in (22.5 m)
Draft12 ft 9 in (3.9 m)
Deck clearance13 ft 2 in (4.0 m)
Installed power2 x diesel-electric engines, total 2,896 hp (2,160 kW)
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Capacity
  • 616 passengers
  • 59 vehicles (max 24 commercial)[1]

Originally built as the MV Mendocino in San Francisco for Northwestern Pacific Railroad, she started out serving Southern Pacific Railways on their Golden Gate Ferries line on San Francisco Bay. She was purchased by the Puget Sound Navigation Company in 1940, and moved to Puget Sound where she was renamed the MV Nisqually, later being acquired by Washington State Ferries who took over operations in 1951.[2]

On November 20, 2007, the entire Steel Electric class was withdrawn from service due to hull corrosion issues. The Nisqually was not in service at the time.

The Nisqually at Ensenada, Mexico, May 8, 2010
31°50′49.4″N 116°37′35.4″W / 31.847056°N 116.626500°W / 31.847056; -116.626500

Washington State Ferries sold the Nisqually and her sister ferries to Eco Planet Recycling, Inc. of Chula Vista, California for scrap. All four ferries were sold for $200,000. The Nisqually and Quinault were towed out of Eagle Harbor on August 7, 2009, arriving in Ensenada, Mexico on August 16. Presumably, the Nisqually was cut up sometime between February and April 2011.[2]

Incidents

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One notable accident happened in July 1963 when the Nisqually was working on the Edmonds-Kingston route. It was heading to Edmonds when a tanker hit it. No one was hurt, but the ferry suffered major damage though. If the hull was not sponsoned out 8 feet (2.4 m) in 1958, the ferry would have sunk.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Vessel Information on the MV Nisqually - WSDOT, WSF
  2. ^ a b c The MV Nisqually - evergreenfleet.com