MV Kulshan
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name: |
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| Owner: |
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| Operator: | 1970-1982: Washington State Ferries |
| Port of registry: | Seattle,  USA
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| Route: | Clinton-Mukilteo |
| Yard number: | 267527 |
| Launched: | Oakland, California |
| Christened: | 1970 |
| Completed: |
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| Acquired: | 1970 |
| In service: | 1954 |
| Out of service: | 1982 |
| Notes: |
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| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 678 |
| Length: | 242 ft 1.5 in (74 m) |
| Beam: | 65 ft 1.5 in (19.9 m) |
| Draft: | 12 ft 9 in (3.9 m) |
| Deck clearance: | 16 ft 0 in (4.9 m) |
| Installed power: | Total 1,200 hp from 2 x Diesel-Electric engines |
| Speed: | 13 kn (24 km/h; 15 mph) |
| Capacity: |
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The MV Kulshan was a passenger ferry operated by the Washington State ferry system on Puget Sound from 1970 to 1982.
The Kulshan started her maritime career as the MV Crown City in Oakland, California in 1954. Purchased by the San Diego and Coronado Ferry Company, the Kulshan/Crown City served as a passenger ferry there until the San Diego-Coronado bridge was completed in 1969. Other ferries running between San Diego and Coronado alongside her were the MV San Diego, the MV Coronado II, the MV Silver Strand, and the MV North Island.
Following her decommissioning by the San Diego and Coronado Ferry Company, the vessel was purchased by the Washington State Ferry system in 1970, where she was re-christened the MV Kulshan. After being refitted with new Washington State Ferries livery, the Kulshan was placed on the Mukilteo-Clinton two-mile run. Alongside the Kulshan, other ferries operating on the route were the MV Olympic and MV Rhododendron from 1970 to 1972. Occasionally, the MV Chetzemoka was added as fourth ferry at on the run. In 1973, the Olympic was taken off the route and replaced with the Vashon. In 1978, the Olympic returned to the Mukilteo-Clinton run, and the larger Steel Electric Class MV Illahee, was added to the mix. Unfortunately for the Kulshan, her open decks and flat, barge-like appearance made her infamous in Puget Sound, rather than beloved and appreciated. Unlike her numerous Washington passenger ferry sailing companions, the Kulshan was considered "ugly" as well as "loathed" and "despised". Experienced cross-sound travellers were accustomed to getting on board - either on foot or with their vehicle - and then going upstairs to either the lounge for resting or the on-board galley for refreshments. On the MV Kulshan, however, this was not an option. While there were public restrooms on board, the vessel was not equipped with, nor did it have room for, the usual Washington State Ferry accommodations. Passengers were able to walk the car-deck, but on anything other than a clear and/or sunny day this was not a very comfortable option. During any time of year other than summer, the waters of Possession Sound were frequently rough and filled with white-caps and waves known to breach over the vessel's bulwark, consequently soaking the cars (and sometimes the passengers) on board.
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Wikipedia