Colman Dock
Seattle
Colman Dock, Pier 52, is the city's main ferry terminal. From here ships leave for the islands and the towns on the other side of the bay.
James Colman's pier
In 1882 engineer James Colman built a pier for steamship traffic. After 1889 it was quickly rebuilt. It served the many small private ships that linked the shores of the bay.
The tower and the waiting room
In 1908 Colman added a waiting room and a 22-meter clock tower to the pier. In 1912 the tower was replaced by a new one; the clock was saved.
From private companies to the state
In the 1920s a single company controlled almost all the ferries. In 1951 the state bought the service; the terminal has been rebuilt several times.
A road on the water
Today the state ferries sail all over Puget Sound. For people who live on the islands, they are like a highway on the sea. Commuters, students and tourists all use them. From this pier you can go to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton, across the bay.
On board, the deckhands guide the cars to their spots. When the ship arrives, they tie the lines to the pier and check that everything is safe. Below the car deck, the engineers work near the engines.
