Ferryboat Santa Rosa, Historic ferry ship at Pier 3, San Francisco, United States.
The Ferryboat Santa Rosa is a Steel Electric-class ferry built in Alameda, California, for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad. Its aft wheelhouse was restored to resemble its 1927 profile, while the passenger cabin keeps the outline of the 1941 single-end conversion. The vessel is moored at Pier 3 in San Francisco.
Built in Alameda, California, for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, the ferry began service with Southern Pacific's Golden Gate Ferries on San Francisco Bay. Puget Sound Navigation Company bought it in 1940, moved it to Puget Sound, replaced its engines and converted it to a single-ended ferry, renaming it MV Enetai. Washington State Ferries took over operations in 1951 and kept the name. Sold in 1968, it returned to San Francisco and sat largely unused until Hornblower Cruises bought it in 1989.
The ship's name changed with its owners: launched as Santa Rosa for Northwestern Pacific Railroad, renamed MV Enetai by Puget Sound Navigation Company in 1940, and kept that name under Washington State Ferries from 1951. Hornblower restored the aft wheelhouse to recall the 1927 profile, while the passenger cabin still shows the 1941 single-end conversion.
The vessel is located at Pier 3 in the waterfront area and currently serves as office space. Access to the interior requires prior arrangement, so visitors should contact ahead before attempting to board.
The 1940 conversion by Puget Sound Navigation Company replaced her engines and made her single-ended, so she was no longer a true Steel Electric-class ferry. Hornblower later restored the aft wheelhouse to her 1927 profile, but the passenger cabin kept its 1941 single-end outline.
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