City's Deputy Mayor Threatens to "Demolish and Dispose" of Wawona

Deputy Seattle Mayor Tim Cies has threatened to "contract for [the] demolition and disposal" of the historic schooner Wawona, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a city landmark, if its owner, Northwest Seaport, does not move the vessel by September 30. In addition, Cies ordered NWS to "clearly and convincingly demonstrate" it can raise several million dollars by July 7 in avoid destruction of the ship.

Wawona is currently at South Lake Union Park in Seattle, where she has berthed since 1980. Northwest Seaport has cared for the ship since 1963. The vessel is one of only two remaining examples of lumber and codfishing schooners on the west coast, the other being the C.A. Thayer, now nearing the end of a complete restoration in San Francisco. A panel of maritime history experts recommended last month that the Wawona be removed from the water for further restoration work.

Below is an excerpt of Cies' letter, addressed to Joe Shickich, president of NWS, and dated June 8:

The Wawona is extremely deteriorated; significant funding for her restoration or preservation has not been forthcoming for some decades, and there is currently no evidence the the support exists for this situation to change. The vessel and associated workshops and outbuildings have been located on City property at minimal or no cost since the 1970’s, yet the vessel is far more deteriorated now than she was twenty years ago. Despite the efforts of a committed group of dedicated supporters, the restoration of the Wawona has not been supported by the larger philanthropic community.

We have, however, made a clear commitment to the Seattle community to move forward on the development of South Lake Union Park. The Wawona must be moved from her current location to allow that to happen, and she must be moved soon. Therefore, Northwest Seaport has until July 7, 2006 to clearly and convincingly demonstrate that it has the capacity to raise the funds necessary to relocate and restore the vessel. The vessel should be removed from its current location by September 30, 2006.

If Northwest Seaport is not able to demonstrate this capability, the City, in consultation with the Museum of History & Industry, will proceed with planning to commemorate the vessel in an appropriate and affordable manner, and will contract for its demolition and disposal of portions of the vessel we decide to keep for display puposes.

All maritime history and heritage supporters should contact Mayor Greg Nickels' office to protest this action and urge another solution that would not destroy our city's history. Contact Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis at 206-684-8106, ceis@seattle.gov. Also contact Parks Superintendent Ken Bounds, 206-684-8022, bounds@seattle.gov. You should also write to the Seattle City Council members.

To express support for NWS, contact Joe Shickich at 206-389-1772, jshickich@riddellwilliams.com, or Wayne Palsson, 206-447-9800, seaport@oz.net. You may also want to contact the Museum of History & Industry.

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