The historic Point Ruston ferry was built in Maine in 1936, and initially served as the navy ferry Aquidneck YFB-14 between Newport RI and Goat Island. The Pierce County Ferry System purchased the ship from the navy in 1971, and ran it as the M/V Steilacoom on the route between its namesake city and Anderson Island.

Shortly after the ferry was retired from that service and put up for sale, the developers of the Point Ruston waterfront complex purchased the ship. They renovated it extensively to become their sales office, renaming it the Point Ruston. The developers occasionally brought the vessel up to Bell Harbor Marina in Seattle to promote sales, where we photographed it in May of 2009 while living aboard there.

We got another look at the ferry on an overnight trip to Ruston Point. We’d not walked the Ruston Way Waterwalk on our previous visits, so made up for that on this trip, where we passed the ferry in its semi-permanent moorage near the condominium complex it promoted.

Below are highlights from March 23rd and 24th, 2024. Click any image for a larger view, or click the position to view the location on a map. And a map with our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.

 

3/23/2024

 

Point Ruston Waterfront Hotel Position: 47°18.03’N, -122°30.31’W   Back for another night at the newly-opened Silver Cloud Point Ruston Waterfront Hotel. We love the views to Commencement Bay and the Port of Tacoma, and enjoy taking in the activity along the Ruston Way Waterwalk below. And the Point Ruston complex has multiple restaurants, with other attractions close by.

 

Point Ruston Historic Ferry Position: 47°17.74’N, -122°29.99’W   The historic Point Ruston Ferry, moored along the Ruston Way Waterwalk.

 

Big Toy Position: 47°18.01’N, -122°30.27’W   The Point Ruston Ferry Big Toy, modeled after the Point Ruston Ferry, is an extremely popular attraction along the Ruston Way Waterwalk. We’ve never seen it without several kids (and the occasional adult) on board.

 

Condos Position: 47°17.99’N, -122°30.25’W   Some of the appealing-looking condominiums in the Point Ruston waterfront complex. They all have large balconies and wonderful views to Commencement Bay.

 

C-17 Globemaster Position: 47°17.97’N, -122°30.21’W   The 62nd Airlift Wing at nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord operates 40 C-17 Globemaster III military transport planes. One flew overhead as we walked along the Point Ruston Waterwalk.

 

International Harvester, Point Ruston Position: 47°17.92’N, -122°30.44’W   We always find something new whenever we walk around the Point Ruston area. This is 1948 International Harvester (IH) Farmell Cub tractor on display outside the Waterfront Market at Ruston. The Farmell Cub, painted a distinctive IH Red or Federal Yellow, was the smallest tractor IH made and was designed to replace working animals on small farms.

 

On No, Not Again Position: 47°17.98’N, -122°30.34’W   On No, Not Again by Pacific Northwest artist Pat McVay on display at Point Ruston. Carved from a single block of salvaged Sitka Spruce, the sculpture depicts a Makah whaling canoe being hurled by a Grey whale during a hunt.

 

3/24/2024

 

Fonda La Catrina Position: 47°33.00’N, -122°19.08’W   An early lunch at Fonda La Catrina on our way home from Point Rustion before James’ flight to California for the annual MARS conference.

 

 

 

Click the travel log icon on the left to see these locations on a map. And a map of our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.