Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics

Subject: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics
From: GUEST,Viv Ilo Veith
Date: 28 Jul 22 - 06:20 PM

This morning, the WSF Ferry Cathlamet plowed into a dolphin (a collection of guide pylons) at the Fauntleroy dock in Seattle. From what we currently know, it appears that there was some kind of mechanical malfunction that did not allow the captain to adequately reduce the speed and s/he likely chose to hit the dolphin instead of demolishing the dock and injuring a lot of people.

Given the Cathlamet's history, I am wondering if anyone has a copy of the lyrics “The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet” set to the tune of Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”

From About the Ferry Cathlamet:
"Upon entering service, the computerized propulsion system failed and resulted in the ferry demolishing docks at both Clinton and Mukilteo within weeks of one another. The ferry earned the nicknamed “Can’t Land It” and one local radio station made up a song called “The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet” set to the tune of Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics
From: cnd
Date: 28 Jul 22 - 07:39 PM

I don't think it's the song you're after since the Discogs entry the page says the music was by Leslie McKay rather than Lightfoot, but there is a song by Leslie McKay of Seattle titled "The Ballad Of The Cathlamet" from 1986 by Eaglewind Records (EW-101-S).

I have found some (partial?) lyrics to the song you're after and will post it in a separate message.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics
From: cnd
Date: 28 Jul 22 - 07:51 PM

The following is quoted from an Associated Press article published in several local papers; the source I used was Spokane (WA)'s The Spokesman-Review (September 28th, 1986, p. B6) and Pasco (WA)'s Tri City Herald (September 28th, 1986, p. B4):

TUNE MAKES LIGHT OF FERRY'S PLIGHT

SEATTLE (AP) — A Seattle radio station disc jockey has set the saga of the disabled state ferry Cathlamet to music.

Dave Scott, who anchors a mid-day shift on KLSY, used a vocal-eliminator machine to delete the words to the 1974 Gordon Lightfoot song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and inserted the following verses:

"With engines full bore, he was headed to shore.
"There was only one way he could stop them.
"He went into shock as he smashed into the dock.
'Twas the wreck of the Cathlamet ferry...'

"The legend lives on, from Mukilteo on down....

They filled it with cars and it left fully loaded for Clinton.
"It ran like a top till they asked it to stop."

The tune pokes fun at the Issaquah-class ferry Cathlamet, which has been beset by recurring mechanical difficulties. The ferry smashed into Clinton dock earlier this month, causing $500,000 to $1 million damage.

The Cathlamet has been yanked out of service indefinitely until engineers can repair its propulsion system problems.

Kris Mays, KLSY's program director, said the station has been getting "a lot of requests" for Scott's musical dirge.

"It's timely," Scott said. "I imagine we'll play it four times a day until listeners stop requesting it."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics
From: EBarnacle
Date: 29 Jul 22 - 04:06 PM

The Staten Island Ferry in New York has had several impacts of this sort, when reverse did not engage, or the vessel went slightly off course. It is standard practice for them to deliberately strike the pilings on the way into the landing point. This is considered a safety measure and there has been at least one incident in which the captain missed the sides of the slip and barreled directly into the landing.   Needless to say, the landing point is not designed to act as a shock absorber. OOPS!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 22 - 05:31 PM

Oh yes! No blaming the captain here. I am certain it was a mechanical failure and an intentional aiming for the dolphin. She was coming in at 10.3 knots when she hit. The captain changed to course to aim for the dolphin when the ferry wouldn't slow. Excellent and safe choice. Lives would have been lost and much more severe injuries if she had plowed into the dock at 10.3 knots.

Here it is from MarineTraffic. The Blue line is the line the ferry was on, then the green shows the course the captain then changed to. The yellow is the course after the crash to go to the dock and unload.

cnd, Thank you so much for that bit of the lyrics. That is a big help. If I find more, I will post them here.

Viv Ilo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 22 - 05:32 PM

Oops. Here is the Marine Traffic link: https://twitter.com/i/status/1552688120381919232

You can click on it to make it go full screen.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics
From: cnd
Date: 29 Jul 22 - 05:45 PM

Glad to help, Viv. I've found a person who I believe to be the original author of the lyrics who I've contacted -- if he gets back to me with more, I'll share it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics
From: VivIlo Veith
Date: 29 Jul 22 - 05:48 PM

Okay, now I am logged in and I will try to make the link work this time. https://twitter.com/i/status/1552688120381919232

Click on it to expand it to see the route change to head to the dolphin.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics
From: VivIlo Veith
Date: 30 Jul 22 - 10:54 PM

I found Dave Scott, much to his delight. He is now Afternoon Host KYVL "The Valley" at Bicoastal Media Host/Creator "Embrace the Change" Podcast InternetJock.

He says:
"Wow...Talk about an unexpected blast from the past. Yes that was me. Unfortunately, I don't have the lyrics and my only copy was on a reel to reel tape that did not survive the ravages of time. I am so pleased that that little moment in my career made an impression that has lasted all these many years. I hope life and time has been as good to you as it has to me. Thanks so much for reaching out."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics
From: cnd
Date: 31 Jul 22 - 09:03 AM

That's a shame, but good work on finding him. Hopefully some folky from the Seattle area who committed it to memory will stop by one day in the future.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Ferry Cathlamet lyrics
From: GUEST,Tammy
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 10:49 PM

I have a copy of the song on a tape somewhere. If I find it I will transcribe.

My favorite line is “Tell me why it is Cathlamet when you see a dock you ram it.”