|
WHIDBEY
ISLAND BY FERRY
The heart of
Puget Sound and Whidbey Island are served
by ferries of the Washington State
Department of Transportation and are part
of the largest ferry system in the United
States. The Mukilteo (mainland side) to
Clinton route is served by two of the
states' six "Issaquah"-class ferries; the
"Kittitas" (meaning "shoal people" in
Chinook jargon), and the "Cathlamet"
(named after a Chinook tribe), each about
2.500 tons and 328 feet
long.
They were
built in 1980 and 1981. Each carries up to
1,200 passengers and approximately 125
motor vehicles, on average. These vessels
were built at Seattle, and each is powered
by two diesel engines driving electric
motors attached to propeller shafts at
either end of each vessel. When under way,
the shafts at both ends "drive" through
gear boxes with reversible-pitch
propellers having electronic
controls.
|
A "free" bus
system leaves the Clinton dock during the
business day every half hour to take
passengers along local South Whidbey
routes and as far north as Oak Harbor, and
beyond, to the Deception Pass State Park
near the high bridge to Fidalgo Island and
the mainland. Buses run daily, except
Sunday and holidays. For more information,
phone 360-321-6688, or 360-678-7771.
Smaller and older ferries, more
nautically-traditional, are used on the
Keystone route (near Fort Casey) to Port
Townsend, an interesting tourist town,
once the major seaport in Washington. The
smaller vessel, "Olympic", built in 1938,
is diesel powered and holds approximately
55 vehicles. Others in use on this run
were built earlier or later but have been
refurbished. The trip takes approximately
35 minutes, depending on tides. The ferry
system maintains toll-free information
telephones. Call either 1-800-542-7052, or
1-800-542-0810.
|
