South Lake Union in Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

The Steamer Virginia V

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, August 22, 2024

1. The Steamer Virginia V Marker

Inscription. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, transportation around Puget Sound was vastly differently from what we see today. With few cars and only a minimal road network, Puget Sound was the highway. Moving people, goods, and livestock between its waterfront communities relied upon the countless small, privately owned ferries that plied the waters. These vessels were so numerous that a reporter, regarding the activity in Elliott Bay, observed that they “were swarming like mosquitos.” The boats became known as the Mosquito Fleet. SS Virginia V is one of the last Mosquito Fleet vessels and is the only remaining steam-powered ferry from that era.

Erected by NW Seaport Maritime Heritage Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 47° 37.677′ N, 122° 20.226′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in South Lake Union. It can be reached from Terry Avenue North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA 98109, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Puget Sound Region.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: At Work on Lake Union (a few steps from this marker); Clock from Carroll’s Fine Jewelry (a few steps from this marker); Fisheries (a few steps from this marker); Arthur Foss (a few steps from this marker); Building Boats (a few steps from this marker); The Story of Virginia V (within shouting distance of this marker); Camas Mill Millstone (within shouting distance of this marker); Millstone (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, August 22, 2024

2. The Steamer Virginia V Marker

The Steamer Virginia V image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, August 22, 2024

3. The Steamer Virginia V

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 7, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.