Goodbye to the Evergreen State

Published 1:14 pm Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Islanders and Washington State Ferries staff said “bon voyage” to the fleet’s oldest ship, the 87-car Evergreen State, with one last ride from Friday Harbor to Anacortes Sunday, June 29. Crews decommissioned the vessel and retired it from service following its final sailing.

The Evergreen State was the first vessel custom built for Washington State Ferries in 1954. The 87-car Klahowya will take over as the San Juan Islands’ interisland ferry following the departure of the Evergreen State.

In the recent past the Evergreen plied the waters of San Juan County between Anacortes and Sidney B.C. At the time of her retirement, she served the interisland route.

“Washington State Ferries, and the Evergreen State have enabled our county to grow our economic base and provide basic transportation to Anacortes, Sidney and between islands,” said San Juan County Councilman Rick Hughes. “Words are not enough to express what the Evergreen State has done for our community.”