"Historic train ferry crossing."

Clarence E. Mershon, The Columbia River Highway: From the Sea to the Wheat Fields of Eastern Oregon, 2006

After the ferry [Tacoma] was launched, transcontinental trains could continue southward from Tacoma to Kalama, Washington, there to be transported by ferry to Hunter's Landing, thence on to Portland. To handle the trains, engineers designed a ferry slip that rose and fell with the river's level so that trains could be loaded and unloaded expeditiously regardless of its level.

The Oregon slip was moved to Goble in 1890. Tacoma could ferry up to 21 box or passenger cars as well as a "road" and a switch engine. Regular service between Kalama and Goble continued from 1890 to 1908, when the Northern Pacific's railroad bridge across the Columbia River connected Vancouver, Washington and points north with Portland.

A. F. Litt, November 20, 2022

A few days ago, when I was posting up some photos from August on the abandoned Columbia River Highway fragment here, I notcied the icon for "Double Docks" in Google Earth, as seen in the image above. Clicking in, I found the photos I've shared on this page, and the small comment from John Baublit, "Historic train ferry crossing."

Well, the only "train ferry" on the Columbia was the legendary Tacoma, and we all know its western terminal was in Goble, right? But, tantalized, I dug and dug, far too long, honestly, before noticing that two of my oldest and best go-to sources had the answer. Both Topinka and Mershon pointed out that the ferry landing was not originally in Goble, but in Hunter's Landing.

So, back in August, were Kirk and I mere feet away from ruins relating to one of my favorite pieces of Columbia River History? Likely. I'll untangle the whole Hunter's Landing / Reuben, Oregon issue on that page later, but the Tacoma's landing was definately around here someplace between 1883 and sometime around 1890 (some sources question that date).

Concerns with this location... Shouldn't it be Triple Docks? Well, maybe there are ruins of a third dock not visible in these photos, boots on the ground should clear that up. Also, these structures do not appear to be anything like the docks in the many, many Tacoma dock photos below. Still, without knowing the dates and locations of those photos (Kalama, Goble, Hunter's Landing?), there is just not enough evidence here to confirm or reject the Double Docks site as the original westside port of the Tacoma.

As usual, more field work and research is required.

"The Tacoma started in service 17 May 1883 creating an all-rail route between Portland and the Puget Sound."

Sadly, comparing the above image to the one below, it appears that the condition of the docks have greatly deteriorated since 2005.

H.H., The Atlantic Monthly: Puget Sound, February 1882

By boat from Portland down the Wallamet River [sic] into the Columbia, down the Columbia to Kalama, and from Kalama to New Tacoma by rail, is the ordinary dry-weather route from Portland to Puget Sound.

Kalama, however, has a habit of ducking under, in the high times of the Columbia River; and at these seasons travelers must push on, northward, till they come to some spot where the railroad track is above water. On this occasion we had to sail well up the Cowlitz River before we reached a place where steam engines could go dry-shod and safe. Thence ninety miles to Tacoma, -- ninety miles of half-cleared wilderness; sixteen embryo towns on the way, many of them bearing musical old Indian names: Olequa, Napavine, Newaukum, Chehalis, Seata, Temino.

Cowlitz County Historical Society, 2007

In the 1870s the town of Kalama was built by the Northern Pacific Railroad during the construction of rail line from Portland to Tacoma and Puget Sound. The railway ended at Kalama.

Between 1874 and 1884, passengers and freight would transfer to steamers on the Columbia to continue their journey to Portland.

Meanwhile, the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company had built a railroad on the Oregon side of the Columbia River to Goble, Oregon.

To transport the trains across the Columbia, the Company bought what was at the time the second largest ferry in the world.

Columbia River Maritime Museum, "The Northern Pacific's Car Ferry Tacoma," Quarterdeck Review, Summer 1985

After continental rail connections to Portland were completed in 1883, additional track was laid to Hunters, Oregon, where the Tacoma completed the link to Puget Sound...

The new rail link quickly ended profitable operations for a number of steamers which had previously run between Portland and the Cowlitz Valley.

"Contracted with the Northern Pacific Railway Company, the Harlan and Hollingsworth Company of Wilmington, Delaware, built what was called the 'Iron Steam Transfer Boat' for the price of $400,000. The mighty Tacoma was built in Delaware but disassembled, boxed and shipped off to Oregon. The Train Ferry was then delivered in 57,179 pieces and reassembled in the summer of 1883 at Smith Bros. and Watson in Portland Oregon, taking the mark as the second largest ferry in the world."

Lewis & Dryden's Marine History of the Pacific Northwest, 1895

The steamer was brought out from New York by the American ship Tillie E. Starbuck, her manifest showing the ferry-boat to consist of 57,159 separate pieces. She was put together at Portland and launched May 17th by Smith Brothers & Watson, and was handled on her trial trip by Capt. E.W. Spenser.

She was first christened the Kalama but is now known as the Tacoma.

Capt. George Gore was placed in command of the steamer, with Charles Gore, chief engineer, and that they are both still holding those positions is a high compliment to their ability as steamboatmen.

Other members of the crew for several years past and present time are William Simpson and A.F. Hedges, pilots; John Larsen and Thomas Poppington, mates; William Lewis, Elias Vickers, Joseph Collyer and Michael O'Neill, engineers.

The Tacoma's dimensions are: length, three hundred and thirty-eight feet; beam, forty-two feet; depth, eleven feet seven inches; engines, thirty-six by one hundred and eight inches.

"...she had two 500-horsepower steam engines powering two 29-foot paddle wheels on port and starboard."

Kalama Community Action Plan, 2004

Originally named the Kalama, she was renamed Tacoma before being placed into service.

The ferry was … capable of carrying an engine and 23 freight cars, an entire train, on its deck. … The pistons in the steam engines were three feet in diameter and had a stroke of eight feet.

The Tacoma ferry was able to carry a complete train across the Columbia River to Goble, Oregon, in about 20 minutes.

...

The Tacoma was captained by G.A. Gore for most of her 25 years of service.

Columbia River Maritime Museum, "The Northern Pacific's Car Ferry Tacoma," Quarterdeck Review, Summer 1985

The Tacoma was of impessive size, inorder to accomodate up to 21 cars and a locomotive at once. Her registered dimensions were 334 feet in length, 42 feet in breadth, and 11.7 feet in depth, producing a gross tonnage of 1,362. Power was supplied by steam engines of 36-inch bore and 108-inch stroke. The Tacoma required a crew of 31.

Trials were run in July and she entered regular service on October 9th, commanded by Captain George Gore.

DCS Films: Milwaukee Terminal No. 6 (MT6)

Aboard the Tacoma, she regularly had a crew of Captain, two Pilots, two Mates, a Chief Engineer, four Assistant Engineers, a Steward, four Firemen, a Night Watchman, and several deck hands.

The Captain of the Tacoma made $150 a month, which was quite a bit considering the Aldrich Report stating the highest wage for 1890 was approximately $70 a month (not including weekends-around $95 then); and the Pilots pulled in around $90.

The Sunday Oregonian, August 28, 1904

Kalama, Wash., Aug. 25. -- Early in September will be the 20th anniversary of the establishing of the transfer service across the Columbia River at Kalama. In 1884, the steamer Tacoma made her first trip and has continued in the service ever since with five of her original crew still on board.

…

She was put together at Portland and launched May 17, 1884...

On her deck are three tracks the full length of the boat, making 1017 feet of track, capable of holding a passenger train of ten coaches and two engines, or a freight train of 21 cars.

The distance traveled by the transfer each round trip is at present four miles. Counting 12 round trips a day would give 48 miles a day, or 17,520 miles a year, and for 20 years would amount to 250,400 miles, or 14 times the distance around the globe.

The boat has received extensive repairs this year. New boilers were put in and nearly all the wood used in her construction replaced with steel, so that by the time the repairs are complete but little will be left of the old boat except her steel hull and her engines.

Michael C. Taylor, Road of Difficulties: Building the Lower Columbia River Highway

A ferry … took trains across the Columbia River from Washington (at Kalama) to Oregon (near Goble) as easily and safely as possible. Even so, passengers had their doubts.

"Our train went to Goble and on to a ferry boat to cross the Columbia River," said an 1899 traveler. "It was thrilling to me to see the big boat settle down in the water with the weight of the cars, and I though we would sink."

This ride was tame compared to those in 1894 when the Columbia River flooded. Because Kalama and Goble were underwater, Oregon-bound cars had to be taken onto the Tacoma in Kelso and ferried all the way down the swollen river to Portland.

"Floods used to regularly plague the river communities before the Corps of Engineers constructed the series of great dams which now control the Columbia River system's flow. One of the most severe floods occurred in 1894, submerging the Goble branch of the railroad and disrupting the Tacoma's normal routine. In order to maintain some rail service between Portland and Puget Sound, the Tacoma made daily round trips between Portland and Kelso, Washington until the flood waters subsided. The trip was enlivened by the challenge of threading her great bulk through the draws of the Willamette bridges in Portland."

"Routinely pulling coaches, and trains, the 97 was a mainstay for the exceptional Tacoma. When pulling coaches and trains off the Tacoma and up the steep grade at Kalama, most engines had to make 2 runs at it, but Old 97 with its small drive wheels, could handle twice the number of coaches as the other engines."

Emma H. Adams, To and Fro, Up and Down, in Southern California, Oregon, and Washington Territory, with Sketches in Arizona, New Mexico, and British Columbia, 1888

Goble to Kalama, 1887

Emerging from thriving, driving Portland, at fifteen minutes before midday, the train speeds nearly northward down the western bank of the Willamette, twelve miles, with the fair stream in full view on one side, and precipitous fir-crowned bluffs on the other. Then turning westward, the iron horse plows along the southern brink of the Columbia until opposite Kalama, in Washington.

Here, close by the river, the creature stops, un-couples from the coaches, backs a few rods, glides off on a side track, and -- looks on. In an instant, another engine near, homely of aspect, gigantic in strength, slowly approaches the train, from behind, locks into the rear car, and gently pushes the whole down the bank and on board a huge transfer steamer, pouring columns of dense black smoke from its tall pipes, at the end of the track.

On the broad deck of the steamer three railways are laid. The coaches glide upon the middle one. Immediately the great locomotive disengages itself, retreats a few feet, switches on to the left track, comes aboard, and halts beside the train. Meantime engine number one has left the side-track and may be seen creeping down the incline. Taking the right-hand rails, it, too, comes aboard, flanks the passengers on that side, and stops breathing.

Now slowly the immense boat pushes out from shore, moves up, and partly across, the broad river; then, reversing its engine, it drops down to the landing on the Washington side, and adjusts its three tracks to those of the staunch, sloping dock built down the side of the bank.

Instantly the engine on our right wakes up, rolls off the steamer, up the steep grade, and gets out of the way on the main road. This done, the Black Sampson starts its wheels, moves out upon the dock, switches to the middle track, backs on board again, lays hold of the coaches, and pulls passengers and all up the bank, with an air which plainly says: 'That's nothing for an engine to do.' Leaving us on the main track, locomotive number one again proffers it services, and away we speed toward the north.

"With not much more to do in a small town in the late 1800s, residents of Kalama would rush down and gather at the depot platform to watch the switch engines arrive and load onto the Tacoma."

"The rail line along the Oregon shore was extended in 1890 to Goble, which then became the Tacoma's southern landing."

Port of Kalama: Discover 100! Our humble beginnings and the railroad that put Kalama on the map

And the beloved Minnetonka was the little engine that could pull that big train on and off the ferry.

One auspicious visitor to float across the Columbia by train immediately saw the potential of the region. Teddy Roosevelt foretold the success of the yet-to-be established Port of Kalama in a 1903 speech:

“I realize as every thinking man must the wonderful future that lies before this state, for it is one in which in its future development is going to show as great and varied industrial growth as New York or Pennsylvania.”

"...the Tacoma carried, along with her usual cargo, passengers commemorating Washington’s statehood, and President Teddy Roosevelt’s 1903 tour of the West undoubtedly carried the presidential train across the Columbia for his short stop in Kalama, on May 22nd."

"In 1900, rumors began circulating that the Tacoma’s days were numbered. Instead of maintaining the Tacoma at $75,000 a year, the plan was to build up the north side of the Columbia River from Kalama to Vancouver and install a bridge. The complaint was one that it was too much money to keep running, and two that every passenger train, as well as every freight train is delayed by a half hour using the ferry. It just wasn’t a cost effective way to get the trains across the Columbia."

DCS Films: Milwaukee Terminal No. 6 (MT6)

The more frequent runs took a toll on the aging Tacoma. With her loads increased, there was concern for the stability of the boat. From 1903 through 1905 the Tacoma would begin thorough examinations. Putting the huge vessel in dry dock wasn’t an option, so divers descended below the vessel to examine the hull. Although the Tacoma’s hull was free of corrosion as reported in the 5 page inspection report dated October 7, 1903, her longitudinal stiffness was under close observation. Repairs were estimated at $29,703.66 and highly recommended.

On October 20, 1903, Robert Harrison billed Captain Gore $20 for examining the structure from the water line to the keel, further stating in his report that the bottom was in good condition. The Tacoma wasn’t giving up just yet.

...

In a telegram dated February 28, 1904 from W.C. Albee, were instructions for improvements. New boilers were to be installed, the next morning in fact, along with four steel deck beams under each coal bunker, and in May the same year, an order was placed for 100,000 feet of deck planking to replace the decks. There were also plans to give the aging ferry a new coat of paint to brighten her up and make her more conspicuous on a dark night. These upgrades were scheduled to be finished August 1905, but cost overruns, weather delays, and unexpected repairs pushed them to the end of the year.

mtcorg, Meandering Through the Prologue: Yin-Yang of the Northern Pacific Revealed at Kalama, June 18, 2022

In 1888, the NP finally completed its transcontinental line. More importantly for the company, this gave access to vast land grants of timber throughout western Washington.

Eventually, NP purchased in 1902 the remnants of a Union Pacific (now owners of the OR&N) attempt to build a railroad from Portland to Vancouver, Washington and on to the Puget Sound. The Northern Pacific line from Kalama to Vancouver finished in 1901, became part of the NP line in 1903.

"Goble's role as a rail transit hub lasted only twenty-five years. In 1908, railroad magnet and 'empire builder' James J. Hill finally bridged the Columbia River between Portland and Vancouver."

"The Tacoma made her last run on Christmas of 1908..."

"In 1909, she was reappointed transporting rock to build the North Jetty [constructed between 1913 and 1917] at the mouth of the Columbia River. Cars carrying rock (quarried near Tenino) were shipped by rail to a ferry slip at what is now known as Longview. There the rock was loaded aboard the Tacoma and shipped down river."

"[Milwaukie Terminal Company] purchased the Tacoma in 1917 and towed her to her new home, the Puget Sound. She was then dismantled to the hull (except for one pilot house), renamed Barge No. 6 and used to transport railroad cars across the Sound. (It is believed the name MT no. 6 stands for 'Milwaukee Terminal Number 6')."

mtcorg, Meandering Through the Prologue: Yin-Yang of the Northern Pacific Revealed at Kalama, June 18, 2022

First, in 1909, she ferried rail cars filled with rock quarried near Tenino. The Tacoma took the rock cars aboard from a point later becoming Longview, transporting them downriver for use on the North Jetty of the Columbia.

A decade on, in 1917, the Milwaukee Railroad [Milwaukie Terminal Company] bought the Tacoma and towed her to the Puget Sound. The former ship was knocked down to the hull. As Barge Number 6, she hauled rail cars across the Sound until near the stroke of midnight as a New Year began – 31 December 1949. She was hit by a freighter trying to avoid a log raft on a snowy, foggy night.

The towboat pulling the barge got her crew of three off safely. The barge, however, with its load of cars sunk in Elliot Bay in Seattle in twenty minutes. Some of the rail cars were later recovered by salvage workers. Several still lie, with the old ferry-barge, at the bottom of the bay.

"At around 11:00 pm on December 31, 1949, just before the New Year, the Milwaukee Barge No. 6 was struck by the 6,000 ton C2-S-E1 freighter Fairland on her way to the Nettleton Mill."

DCS Films: Milwaukee Terminal No. 6 (MT6)

The Fairland was trying to avoid a tow of logs, but managed to strike the No. 6 instead. The night was blanketed by snow and fog, the Milwaukee Barge No. 6 was in tow by Captain Pete Kittleson of Kent aboard the tug Milwaukee as it entered into Elliot Bay bound for the Milwaukee dock from Port Townsend.

The barge had aboard her 3 crew; Harlem House, Ray Laigh, and Keith Brents all of which got off safely. She was rumored to have been carrying 19 sealed railcars, of these six broke loose and floated to shore.

The Foss tug Sandra Foss rushed out for assistance, picked up the crew, but the former Tacoma wouldn’t be saved. She was sent to the bottom in 20 minutes and now lies in Elliot Bay, presumably, in over 579 feet of water.

"Her crew of four were rescued by the tug Sandra Foss. There were 19 railcars aboard her – of which 15 were loaded with lumber. Six of these broke loose and floated ashore where they could be recovered. They were lifted aboard another rail-barge by cranes from the Foss Company who had the salvage contract.”

A. F. Litt, November 20, 2022

It appears that this "new" wreck is now generally accepted to be the that of the MT6, which seems sensible to me. After spending hours staring at photos of the Tacoma putting this page together, that wreck sure looks like her. Below, there is are 2019 videos of sonar scans and a submersible dive on the "new" wreck from OceanGate, and a 2008 dive film on the "old" wreck from DCS Films/Dan Warter.

Video (By Others...)

Links

ColumbiaRiverImages.com: Ferry ... Kalama, Washington, to Goble, Oregon

Includes ... Kalama, Washington ... Goble, Oregon ... Kalama-Goble Ferry ... Kalama-Goble Train Ferry "The Tacoma" ...

http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/kalama_goble_ferry.html

Columbia River Maritime Museum: Quarterdeck Review, Vol. 12, No. 3, Summer 1985

The Northern Pacific's Car Ferry Tacoma / Captain Minnie Hill (1886)

https://issuu.com/maritimemuseum/docs/v12n3_summer_1985_ocr

DCS Films: Milwaukee Terminal No. 6 (MT6)

Originally called the Tacoma, she was built as a side-wheel steamer with the purpose of transporting entire trains across the Columbia River. Contracted with the Northern Pacific Railway Company, the Harlan and Hollingsworth Company of Wilmington Delaware built what was called the “Iron Steam Transfer Boat” for the price of $400,000.

http://dcsfilms.com/Site_4/MT6_barge.html

ColumbiaRiverImages.com: Goble, Oregon

Includes ... Goble ... Goble Landing ... Goble Point ... Goble's Point ... Campsite of March 27, 1806 ... Elder Rocks ... Centennial Queen ... River Queen ... S.S. Shasta ... Kalama-Goble Ferry ... Hunters, Oregon ... Hunter Bar ... Reuben ... Enterprise ...

http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/goble.html

Twain's Geography: Kalama Ferry

https://twainsgeography.com/chapter/kalama-ferry

JWS Marine: More details on the history (and the sinking) of the MT6

http://www.jawsmarine.com/category/puget-sound/elliot-bay/mt-6

Recreating the Pacific Highway: Kalama, Washington

https://sites.google.com/view/recreating-the-pacific-highway/washington/kalama-washington

ColumbiaRiverImages.com: Kalama, Washington

Includes ... Kalama ... Kalama Gap ... Kalama River ... Kalama Totems ... Kalama Mural ... Kalama-Goble Ferry ... Kalama-Goble Train Ferry "Tacoma" ...

http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/kalama.html

The Historic Pacific Highway in Washington

The Lower Columbia River Ferries

https://www.pacific-hwy.net/ferry.htm

List of train ferries

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/List_of_train_ferries

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the Columbia River Highway

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the Pacific Highway