14th April, Ketchikan

Another early morning.  Having departed Sitka, we transited Sumner Strait and then through the narrow passage of ‘Snow pass’, thus into the Clarence Strait.  5 o’clock in the morning found us at the north end of the Tongass Narrows, the waterway on which Ketchikan lies. It is divided into two sections, north and south, with Ketchikan in the middle.

In the 60’s, Ketchikan was booming.  Pulp and paper from the then new mill, logging was in its heyday, supplying the hungry mill for wood.  The mill closed in 1998, (at least I believe it was then) and, as a consequence, Ketchikan went into a slump.

Nowadays it relies heavily on tourism and the 50-odd bars that were in Ketchikan during the boom days are now jewelry and souvenir shops.  Fishing, of course, still plays and important role, there is a commercial fish processing plant and, every morning, one can see the numerous charter boats taking cruise passengers and tourists out to catch their salmon.

As we pass Guard Island, at the northern entrance to the narrows, we start to reduce speed, there is  a speed restriction down the narrower section, 7 knots, this to avoid wake damage to the docks, boats and aircraft that are tied up on the waterway.

(Double-click on photos for a larger version)

Passing Guard Island, Tongass Narrows ahead

Passing Guard Island, Tongass Narrows ahead

Passing the Channel Islands, we’re down to our 7 knots and ahead of us, the ‘Norwegian Pearl’, which is due in 30 minutes before us, is approaching the narrowest section.

2015-08-15_0002

 

 

2015-08-15_0003

The ship yard to port and airport to starboard

 

The ship yard

The ship yard

The airport dock, (one takes a ferry to get across the Narrows)

The airport dock, (one takes a ferry to get across the Narrows)

 

 

The Airport control tower, it's lower than the runway :-)

The Airport control tower, it’s lower than the runway 🙂

Once through the narrower section, there is more sea-room, nevertheless one has to be alert, foot-planes landing and taking off, fishing boats and pleasure craft are in abundance.

2015-08-15_0009

Everything that comes into Alaska can either come by plane, (expensive) or by sea, (less expensive).  A service from Seattle brings most of the goods by sea, pulled by a tug, a large barge is alongside being unloaded.

2015-08-15_0010

Float-planes about to start another day's work

Float-planes about to start another day’s work

At 6:30 we send our first line ashore and we are tied-up, gangway in for our 7 a.m. schedule.  No rest though, we have a visit from some of our corporate staff, who are visiting each of our ships as they dock in Ketchikan. Because of this, I am unable to get ashore for your photos, so those from the Bridge will have to suffice.

The main part of the city.  Much of it is standing on where there used to be water.

The main part of the city. Much of it is standing on where there used to be water.

A distant view of Creek Street; once the 'red light' area of Ketchikan, it is now a quaint walk, shops full of unusual goods.

A distant view of Creek Street; once the ‘red light’ area of Ketchikan, it is now a quaint walk, shops full of unusual goods.

Looking south, towards the southern section of the Tongass Narrows

Looking south, towards the southern section of the Tongass Narrows

 We depart at 1 p.m., our visitors have left us and transit the south Narrows, still maintaining our 7 knot speed.

Ketchikan astern, the wind has increased

Ketchikan astern, the wind has increased

Typical houses on the waterfront

Typical houses on the waterfront

Radar picture of the Narrows

Radar picture of the Narrows

And the actual view out of the window.

And the actual view out of the window.

On the last section, a float-plane comes past us

On the last section, a float-plane comes past us

Quite close :-)

Quite close 🙂

I write from the Juan de Fuca Straits, eastbound and towards Victoria BC.  A wonderful city and very ‘British’  🙂   I try to get ashore at least once a season.  Tomorrow is Seattle and the start of another voyage north, more soon………….

One thought on “14th April, Ketchikan”

  1. Looks like you had a rare sunny day in Ketchikan. We have been there three times on cruises and the only sunshine we saw was the liquid kind. Also, I think the title of this blog should have been 14th August. Enjoy your daily reports very much.

Comments are closed.