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 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.
The ship yard to port and airport to starboard
The ship yard
The airport dock, (one takes a ferry to get across the Narrows)
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Typical houses on the waterfront
Radar picture of the Narrows
And the actual view out of the window.
On the last section, a float-plane comes past us
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………….
