Kalakala – heading down Strait to new temporary home in Neah Bay

For what seems like an eternity, it’s been the Big Boat that Couldn’t.

Move, that is.

But it’s moving now, plying the Strait of Juan de Fuca for the first time in more than 40 years.

The historical, art deco ferry Kalakala is being towed to Neah Bay.

And favorable weather conditions — opposite of those during last week’s windy storm that postponed the operation — are helping two tugs move the 276-foot disabled vessel at speeds of about 6 mph.

Flying Old Glory and the Black Ball Lines pennant of its Depression-era glory days when it was the symbol of Seattle’s future, the rusting Kalakala was expected before daybreak today to cross the imaginary line that it helped draw in the 1950s — the ferry route between Port Angeles and Victoria.

Owner Steve Rodrigues, relieved to get the vessel under way Tuesday, said the old ferry and two tugs could arrive at Neah Bay today, slicing by more than a half-day last week’s time prediction from Seattle’s Lake Union.