Virginia V, Historic steamship at Lake Union Park, Seattle, United States
The Virginia V is a museum steamship and Seattle landmark housed at Lake Union Park. This wooden-hulled vessel stretches about 125 feet long and retains its original steam engine, which was installed when the ship was built in 1922.
The ship launched in March 1922 as part of the Mosquito Fleet, a group of small steamships connecting Puget Sound communities. It served passengers between Seattle, Tacoma, and outlying waterfront settlements before larger ferries took over the routes.
The ship carried Camp Fire Girls and other young people to summer camps on nearby islands from the 1920s through the 1960s, shaping how generations experienced the water. This role made it a familiar sight to families and youth groups across the region.
The ship offers guided tours Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5 PM and is located at 860 Terry Avenue North in Lake Union Park. Visitors should note that walking the decks involves stairs and uneven surfaces typical of older wooden vessels.
The ship is the last remaining wooden-hulled steam-powered passenger vessel from the original Mosquito Fleet still operating on Puget Sound. Its survival and continued operation offer a working example of early 1900s steamship technology and maritime craftsmanship.
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