On March 17, 1959, the ferry Evergreen State rams and almost demolishes the south slip at Seattle's Colman Dock. No one is injured, but repairs to the dock are estimated at $40,000.
The Evergreen State was returning to Seattle from Winslow (on Bainbridge Island) and was coming into the slip at about 5 knots when the reversing machinery failed. The ferry continued in, snapping off pilings a foot and a half thick, and smashing 14-inch square beams on the wing wall. The apron was sprung and pushed back under a girder, ending up only two feet from cars at the front of the boat.
The Evergreen State only suffered a few scratches, but the slip was out of commission for close to two weeks as it was repaired. The 8-year-old ferry had never had reversing problems in the past, and it was believed that strong winds may have played a part in the crash.
Sources:
"Colman Dock Slip Crushed by Ferry," Seattle Post-Intelligencer March 18, 1959, pp. 1, 3.
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