Neah Bay: Kalakala docks at Makah tribal pier

NEAH BAY — It couldn’t have been more ironic.

After almost incessant delays in dislodging the former ferry Kalakala from a dock at Seattle’s Lake Union, the engineless vessel hit the fast track Tuesday morning.

It nearly halved a predicted 42-hour voyage from Puget Sound to the outer edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Pulled by one tugboat, escorted by another and assisted by the Neah Bay-stationed rescue tug Barbara Foss, Kalakala’s weathered shell cruised into the bay about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The 69-year-old former queen of the Black Ball Line was greeted by sparkling sunshine and a crowd of about 35 Makah tribal members anxious to get a glimpse of the once-stellar boat, which in its heyday carried passengers and cars through international waters between Port Angeles and Victoria.