MV Tourist No. 2 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Tourist No. 2
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MV Kirkland moored at Marina Park Dock, Kirkland, Washington.
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 Location in Oregon
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| Location | Astoria, Oregon |
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| Built | 1924 |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000321 |
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1997 |
The MV Tourist No. 2 is a special old car ferry from the Pacific Northwest. It was built in 1924. This ferry has a wooden hull, which is the main body of the boat. It has carried many people and cars over the years.
The Tourist No. 2 first helped people cross the Columbia River. Its main stop was in Astoria, Oregon. Today, this historic ferry is being fixed up in Astoria. It is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special building, site, or object that is worth saving.
Contents
The Ferry's Journey
The MV Tourist No. 2 worked for a long time. From 1924 to 1966, it was a busy ferry. It traveled on the Astoria–Megler Ferry route across the Columbia River.
World War II Service
During World War II, the ferry had a different job. In 1941, the United States Army bought it. They used it to help protect the river. The ferry was renamed FB or JMP 535. It helped lay mines near the mouth of the Columbia River. After the war ended, it went back to being a regular ferry.
Moving to Puget Sound
In 1967, the ferry moved from Astoria, Oregon. It went to Pierce County, Washington. There, it was given a new name: the Islander of Pierce County. It worked on Puget Sound for many years. However, newer ferries were being built. These new ferries had strong steel hulls instead of wooden ones. Steel hulls were seen as more modern and durable.
New Owners and a New Look
In 1996, a company called Argosy Cruises bought the ferry. They gave it another new name, Kirkland. The company worked hard to make the ferry look new again. They added two places to buy drinks and snacks. They also put in a kitchen. A special feature was the tall, 12-foot windows. These windows went from the floor to the ceiling. This made the main deck very unique for a boat in the Northwest. A designer from Seattle, Jonathan Quinn Barnett, helped with the new look. The ferry was also added to the Washington Historic Register.
Fire and Restoration
On August 28, 2010, something sad happened. The Kirkland caught fire while it was docked in Kirkland, Washington. The fire was mostly in the engine room. Firefighters said that everything below the main deck was badly damaged. A few days later, on August 31, 2010, a tugboat moved the damaged ferry from Lake Washington.
After the fire, Argosy Cruises decided it would cost too much to fix the ferry. So, they sold it to Christian Lint in 2010. Lint kept the ferry in Bremerton. He used it for special events. In 2016, Lint sold the ferry again. This time, the Astoria Ferry Group bought it. On August 1, the ferry returned to Astoria. As of 2019, the Tourist No. 2 is being restored. This means people are working to fix it up and make it ready for the future.
