Washington Symbols, Ship: President Washington

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President Washington

Adopted on February 19, 1983.

In 1983, the "President Washington" was proclaimed the official state ship, and is the first container ship to be adopted by a state. The 860-foot vessel is one of the largest container ships ever built in the U.S. and has a 43,000 horsepower diesel engine. The 23-foot propeller weighs 98,000 pounds! The ship's route on the Pacific Ocean expands the natural geographical advantage of trade shipping between Washington State and Pacific Rim countries.

Matson has purchased the President Washington and several other ships, and routes, abandoned by American President Lines (APL).

The Washington State Legislature declared the APL ship "President Washington" "Washington State Ship" in honor of introduction of the (then) new ship to service between Seattle and Asian ports.

APL sold the President Washington as new ships, built in German and Korean shipyards were delivered. The new ships fly the flag of the Marshall Islands, a "flag of convenience" which exists solely to evade American standards of construction, operation, and labor.

President Washington C9-M-132b Built 1982-83
Name, ship Class, year built (the roman numeral indicates number by that name)

President Washington (containership)
860 foot C-9 Largest of its type owned by the American President Line.
Adopted by Washington State, named honorary ship of the people of the State of Washington, Marine Digest. February 19, 1983, p. 21.
Ceremony celebrating maiden voyage, selection as Washington State Ship, The Marine Digest. February 19, 19o83, p. 21 (il).
Returns to Seattle fully loaded with cargo on maiden voyage, The Marine Digest. April 2, 1983, p. 7 (il)
Todd gave berth to a president, The Marine Digest. July 28, 1984. (Recently the 33,000 ton President Washington was drydocked at Todd's Seattle Yard, the largest commerical ship every drydocked on Puget Sound.).
Unloaded at top speed using five cranes simultaneously, The Marine Dgiest. November 10, 1984, p. 11.

Citation: Tacoma Public Library