what ’ s working
Charles E . Peabody , whose family helped found the original Black Ball Line , served as the first vice chairman of AWB when it was established in 1904 as the Citizens ’ Alliance .
and Victoria , British Columbia . While names and faces have changed , the company remains committed to providing consistent , quality service and promoting a positive work environment .
a revolutionary approach
Initially known as the Wright , Thompson , Marshall and Thompson Line , the Black Ball Line was founded in 1817 . The company derived its name from its ships ’ distinctive flag , which featured a black circle , or ball , on a red background . The first ship to fly the Black Ball flag set sail from New York Harbor to Liverpool , England , on Jan . 5 , 1818 . It was part of a fleet that left at a specific date and time , unlike other ships at the time , which left once their holds were full . This simple change — scheduled service — revolutionized freight and passenger service .
Peabody , the grandson of Black Ball Line co-founder Alexander Marshall , headed west to Port Townsend toward the end of the 19th century , bringing his family ’ s ingenuity and the Black Ball flag with him . In 1894 , he established the Alaska Steamship Company , which experienced a surge in demand when the Klondike Gold Rush began three years later . In 1898 , Peabody established a subsidiary of the company , the Puget Sound Navigation Company , to run routes between Washington and British Columbia . Six years later , he helped start the Citizens ’ Alliance in Seattle , later becoming AWB .
When Peabody ’ s son Alexander became president of the Puget Sound Navigation Company in 1929 , he brought back the Black Ball flag and name . Seven years later , he sold Black Ball Freight Services to employee Robert Acheson so he could focus on passenger service . By the 1940s , the Black Ball Line could carry more than 300,000 passengers per day . Peabody sold most of its fleet and operations to the Washington State Department of Transportation in 1951 , leading to the formation of Washington State Ferries , but retained some ships and the right to run the route between Port Angeles and Victoria . He later offered that route to Acheson , who established Black Ball Transport , the current iteration of the company , in 1952 . a beloved tradition
The MV Coho has seen numerous upgrades and additions over the years — including a solarium deck , a gift shop , a duty-free shop and Wi-Fi — but maintains much of its original character . One of its many charms is the opportunity to hear Washington native Bing Crosby sing “ Black Ball Ferry Line ” with the Andrews Sisters . The song , which was recorded in 1951 , plays at the beginning and ending of each crossing .
“ All the people love to ride the blue Pacific ,
On the Black Ball Ferry Line , to be specific ,
While the whistles blow and the bells go ,
And the ferry boats are chuggin ’ right along , right along .”
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