One of the most infamous episodes in Washington State Ferry System history began with a typical run out of Anacortes, late one Sunday afternoon in October 1983.
, late one Sunday afternoon in October 1983. When it was all over, no one was injured, but the M/V Elwha had a quarter-million dollar gash in her hull, a local woman’s reputation was called into question, and the career of a ferry captain was over. But, it wasn’t all bad. The community emerged from the mess stronger for it, and with a new novelty song and even a specialty cocktail.
“He started to tease her about taking her for a little scenic ride into Grindstone Harbor to see her house,” Fey told KIRO Newsradio. “And my mom, being kind of a game girl, thought he was joking around, so she joked around back. And when she realized that he was serious, I guess she started to sort of freak out.”
Claims of a steering system failure being to blame were made by the ferry system, but within days, the real story came out that Captain Fittro’s improvisational trip into Grindstone Harbor had been an attempt to impress Peggy Warrack. Warrack was soon dubbed “The Siren of the San Juans” after the mythical women of maritime folklore who lured sailors of old to their deaths on hidden reefs.
Ian Sterling, public information officer for the Washington State Ferry System, told KIRO Newsradio that his agency takes safety seriously, and that passengers are not allowed in the wheelhouse of ferry boats. He says this was always the law, and it’s become even more strictly enforced after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cleaner, bigger NY Waterway ferry hits the Hudson River after retrofitWe took a ride as the first of six renovated NY Waterway ferries left Weehawken.
Read more »
Ferry crashes into docks at Fauntleroy terminal, damaging itself and several carsDEVELOPING: A ferry crashed into the Fauntleroy terminal docks this morning, causing serious damage to the ferry and two cars and likely impacting the ferry schedule. One of our KIRONewsradio engineers was on the boat and took this photo.
Read more »
Fauntleroy ferry crashes into dock structure causing significant damageAlthough at least two cars were crushed upon impact, no injuries were reported, according to Washington State Ferries.
Read more »
Ferry crashes into docks at Fauntleroy terminal, damaging itself and several carsDEVELOPING: A ferry crashed into the Fauntleroy terminal docks this morning, causing serious damage to the ferry and two cars and likely impacting the ferry schedule. One of our KIRONewsradio engineers was on the boat and took this photo.
Read more »
Fauntleroy ferry crashes into dock structure causing significant damageAlthough at least two cars were crushed upon impact, no injuries were reported, according to Washington State Ferries.
Read more »