Judy Ennes passed away May 19, 2004 after a long battle with cancer. She will be missed by all who knew her. Re-printed here is one of her columns from the Kalakala.org web site, "From the Palm Room."

FROM THE PALM ROOM-by Judith Ennes (Author of Kalakala Comes Home-No Dream Is Too Big)

I can't resist taking you back to Tuesday, July 2, 1935. Wasn't there a T.V. program at one time, called "You Are There"? Maybe it was just a phrase in the program, but this is my version with help from the publications listed at the end of this column. Quotations were taken directly from the newspapers and magazines.

There it was, sparkling as bright as the water diamonds surrounding it. Kalakala sliced through the water of Elliott Bay-a silver apparition. The brand new ferry elicited audible admiration from the crowds on hand to watch as she slid into view from the Todd Shipyards, at the south end of the Bay.

Praises abounded from the crew, the owners, the builders, the passengers, the on-lookers and eventually the world. Her picture was taken and printed in "umpty-thousand" papers from Japan to Scandinavia. Kalakala had been born of necessity, but grew into a felicitous gift, a graceful and classy lady with a sense of fun for the people of the Puget Sound during a devastating era-The Great Depression. It was truly a ferry for everyone and, "modern as tomorrow."

The maiden cruise of Kalakala, originally scheduled with a certain amount of urgency, was delayed one day because of - what else? - the weather. Not only was the Puget Sound Navigation Company eager to show off their beautiful "flying bird" of the Black Ball line, but Lake Washington Shipyard had moved "heaven and earth" to complete the unique ferry in a timely manner. The ship building company was intent upon vying for United States Naval ships building contracts. Lake Washington Shipyard used the new technique of electro-welding, not yet implemented by other local shipyards. To procure some of the military government contracts would be a shot in the arm for the Northwest. Kalakala was the first commercial vessel to demonstrate the exclusive use of welding rather than the usual riveting process.

Five hundred guests and dignitaries boarded the ferry that morning for a demonstration ride to Bremerton. Among all the important officials and their families, two piano movers became trapped on board for the initial cruise after delivering a piano to the orchestra. Rose Massey, a small child in 1935, also remembers the first trip to Bremerton. She had been in a hospital for a full year. Her father purchased passage on the inaugural run for Rose's return home. She remembers the magic of Kalakala even then, andЕ the pink and white ice cream served aboard that day.

100,000 curious and eager observers lined the wharves, watched from the hillside homes, and hung out the windows of the downtown office buildings. 7,000 school children were released from school to attend the ceremonies. My father would have been twenty on that day. I like to imagine him there, blonde and tall, craning to see over the heads of others, pretending it was a birthday party just for him. Men of Hooverville, one of the shantytowns built of cardboard boxes and wooden crates near the waterfront, emerged from their desperate circumstances to glimpse the promising bright vessel.

Every imaginable personal watercraft bobbed in Elliot Bay, waiting among the bigger commercial boats. This new ship had the attention of all sea-faring men. Traffic jams occurred all over the city. The amassed weight of observers on the Canadian National Dock, threatened to submerge its platform. This was an event that had been met with great anticipation. Everyone, the humble, sophisticated, brash, young, old, poor and the not so poor, stood together-ready to welcome Kalakala into their Puget Sound community.

As the silver vision left the Todd Shipyard, where the last details had been completed, people gasped in astonishment. We can only imagine what they thought. Certainly, the shining silver hull glistened brightly in the warm July sun. Reporters struggled to describe it- "bullet shaped" "silvery whale-backed thing" "weird craft" "silver porpoise"ЕЕ

It took not a moment for the celebration to begin after Kalakala's appearance and rapid advance into Elliott Bay. Fireboats spewed great fans of saltwater from their water cannons. Factories blew their horns. Air horns from private and commercial watercraft blasted on every side. There were crescendos of three whistle tributes from other ships. Kalakala returned the courtesy whistle salutes of other craft with her own mellow whistle. Then, the whistle stuck open and blared continuously until someone stuffed a handkerchief in it to muffle the sound. Piercing noise filled the air with a deafening uproar. Ticker-tape and confetti snowed in the streets. It was declared the largest and noisiest gathering on record in Seattle.

On the way to Bremerton, the honored guests enjoyed a minor mishap-slight damage to Kalakala's steering gear. No one seemed to mind as they enjoyed the view just off Vashon Island, listened to music from the Flying Bird Orchestra, drank coffee, ate ice cream and looked about the modern art-deco ferry during the hour it took to fix the problem. After that, the trip to Bremerton took only minutes. Kalakala fairly skimmed the waves. The dignitaries got off as 2,000 Bremerton school children got on for a short cruise. Oh the commotion that must have been. After returning to Seattle, the captivating ferry was open until midnight for visitors.

Captain Wallace Mangan, in the wheelhouse was a happy man. He was caught smiling and chuckling at the wheel. All hands sang Kalakala's praises. She had great speed and responded at a touch. Her streamline design cut wind resistance. Her hull had twenty-five watertight compartments. The 3000 hp engine was powerful and large, containing ten pistons. Passengers spoke in glowing terms about the dance floor, orchestra, air conditioning, innovative fire protection and gracious furnishings.

Kalakala had been built for speed, but also for beauty. The Seattle Star wrote that she was "as modern as tomorrow". Well, it's tomorrow and yes, she will fit in quite well. Kalakala will once again grace our waterfront, ready to symbolize the sense of community throughout Puget Sound. She will be our modern day surprise package, renovated and gently teaching this throwaway society that quality is a strong foundation.

One of the dignitaries aboard for that first run was J.T. Hefferman, a shipyard owner. He spoke to the crowd. "You can't keep Seattle down. When you think the old town is slowing up her pace, she comes through with a masterpiece such as this."

The masterpiece is here once more, ready and eager for her rightful place in this great historic maritime city. I'd like to give credit and thanks to the unidentified reporters of the Seattle Star and Seattle Daily Times of July 1-3, 1935; HH of the Seattle PI July 1, 1935; Lawton Wright of the Saturday Evening Post magazine dated April 5, 1941; and Steve Russell and Susan Paynter from his book, Kalakala, Magnificent Vision Recaptured.

Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - The KALAKALA left her berth at Lake Union at 9:25 AM - passing through the Ballard Locks just before 11 AM. Once she was in open water, the tugs towed her north to Neah Bay. The KALAKALA looked wonderful out on the Sound again! By 1:30 PM she was just off Kingston, and by 2:00 she passed Point No Point. She made excellent progress, only having to slow down to 2 knots at 2 AM Wednesday morning due to heavy seas in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The KALAKALA arrived safely in Neah Bay at approximately 10:30 AM, Wednesday, March 10th - a full day ahead of schedule. Steven Rodrigues, the KALAKALA's new owner says she did great on the trip!

Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - the KALAKALA heads into the Ballard Locks. Photo courtesy Art Skolnik

The KALAKALA leaves the locks for open water.

The KALAKALA heads north on Puget Sound to Neah Bay. Photo courtesy Art Skolnik

Friday, October 10, 2003 - On Thursday, October 9, a bankruptcy judge finalized the sale of the famous and historic Art Deco ferry, KALAKALA to Mr. Steven Rodriguez of Tumwater, Washington. Mr. Rodrigues pledges to restore the ferry to her former glory and operate her as a waterfront attraction that will visit the ports of Puget Sound. A written description of his proposal shows retail space and a theater on the restored main deck, event space on the upper cabin level and a museum and exhibition space below the main deck. The plan also proposes restoration of the famed "Double Horseshoe Cafe," with its curved counters. Mr. Rodrigues has formed a company called, "Lost Horizons" to restore the famous streamlined ferry. He plans to move the KALAKALA to Lake Union Dry Dock for inspection, and then to an undisclosed temporary moorage while he finalizes the restoration plans.

Monday, October 20, 2003 - The KALAKALA's guardian angel of Kodiak passed away this week. Gil Reel, the caretaker who refused to leave the KALAKALA when she was abandoned by her owners in Kodiak, died in Seattle. A veteran of World War II, Gil flew eighty-seven combat missions as a B-24 flight engineer before being shot down behind enemy lines. He survived two months in enemy territory, walking eight hundred miles to safety. Gil was on the KALAKALA's final run as a ferry in 1967. In 1971, he signed on to work on the KALAKALA after she became a cannery. Gil stayed with the boat and maintained her for twenty-seven years, well into his eighties. Every time the City of Kodiak wanted to scrap the vessel, he was steadfast - always believing that someone would come to save her. Gil formed a lasting friendship with KALAKALA rescuer, Peter Bevis, and he will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

In his first visit to the rescued KALAKALA in Seattle in October 2002, Gil Reel gazes out the windows of the wheelhouse that was his home for so many years.