Name MV Spokane Route Edmonds-Kingston Maiden voyage February 13, 1973 Builders Vigor Shipyards, Seattle | Owner WSDOT Completed 1972 Length 134 m | |
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Operator Washington State Ferries | ||
The MV Spokane is a Jumbo Class ferry operated by Washington State Ferries. She was built in 1972 by the Todd Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, for the Seattle–Bainbridge route. The ship remained assigned there until the construction of the Jumbo Mark II class in the late 1990s displaced her to the Edmonds–Kingston route, where she has remained since.
Contents
Perhaps one of the most notable features of the Spokane is her incredibly colorful interior which she has sported since being rebuilt in the mid 1990s.
Naming
Spokane was named for the Spokane tribe by the Washington State Highway Commission, continuing the tradition of naming ferry vessels for Native American tribes that was started by the Puget Sound Navigation Company. At least seven other vessels had carried the name "Spokane" prior to the launch of the ferry in 1972.
History
Spokane was launched by Todd Shipyards on April 14, 1972, and christened by Carol Stearns of the Spokane tribe. On the same day, the keel for the MV Walla Walla was laid at the shipyard. Both vessels cost $17.7 million to construct.
She made her ceremonial maiden voyage on February 13, 1973, departing from Colman Dock in Seattle carrying Governor Dan Evans, the mayors of Seattle and Spokane, and members of the Spokane tribe. At 440 feet (130 m) long and with a capacity of 206 cars, the Spokane was the largest ferry in the Washington State Ferries system when she entered service.
The ferry made her first regular commuter run on the morning of February 24, 1973. Riders onboard complimented the "superferry" on its luxurious look, cleanliness, and handling.
With the launch of the Jumbo Mark II class ferries MV Tacoma and MV Wenatchee in 1998, the Spokane was moved to the Edmonds–Kingston route along side the MV Puyallup.