M.V. Vashon Ferry
historic place
Here in King County, we acknowledge the M.V. Vashon, a significant vessel in Puget Sound's maritime history. Built in 1930 at the Lake Washington Shipyard in Houghton, near Seattle, this ferry was initially a key part of the Kitsap County Transportation Company. It served routes connecting Seattle's Fauntleroy neighborhood with Vashon Island and Southworth. At its launch, the M.V. Vashon was notable as the largest diesel ferry operating on Puget Sound. It later gained distinction as the last wooden-hulled ferry in the Washington State Ferry system. The M.V. Vashon provided essential transportation for decades, becoming a familiar sight on local waters. Its long service ended in 1986 when it ran aground and sank in Johnson Cove, Alaska. The M.V. Vashon represents a vital era of ferry travel and shipbuilding in the Pacific Northwest.