Take a ride on the steamship Virginia V
In honor of the Seattle flagship’s 93rd birthday, the Steamship Virginia V Foundation is offering the public a limited number of tickets to join them for the birthday cruise on Sunday, June 7th. They’re celebrating 93 years of “Keeping The Steam Up!” around the Puget Sound with the annual celebratory cruise.
Proud to continue the tradition of steaming in the northwest, the foundation says it’s looking forward to welcoming you aboard. The cruise is presented by Vulcan Real Estate and tickets can be purchased online.
Itinerary
- Boarding: 1:30 pm
- Departure: 2:00 pm
- Return: 4:30 pm
Concessions:
- Lunch service and open bar
Tickets:
- $50 members and non-members
In 1921 Anderson & Company of Maplewood, Washington, began construction on the Virginia V. The ship was built of local old-growth fir. She was launched March 9, 1922, and towed to downtown Seattle for the installation of her engine and steam plant. In Seattle the engine was removed from the Virginia IV and installed in the Virginia V. On June 11, 1922, the Virginia V made her maiden voyage from Elliott Bay in Seattle to Tacoma down the West Pass.
In 1976 the non-profit Steamer Virginia V Foundation was formed to preserve the Virginia V. The Foundation acquired the vessel on September 30, 1980, for $127,000.
In 2002, the Foundation was able to put the Virginia V back in service after a six-year, $6.5 million stem-to-stern restoration project. It included a rebuild of the steam engine, construction of a new boiler and rebuild of the superstructure using traditional tongue and groove fir planking. The Foundation was honored in 2001 with the Washington State Historical Society’s “David Douglas Award” for the restoration work completed to-date.
And for an absolutely amazing look at her in drydock, check out their Vimeo video below: