This month marks the 26th anniversary of the legendary ferryboat Kalakala‘s heartfelt return to the Seattle waterfront, following an extensive and unceremonious stint as a cannery in Alaska, and it was greeted with an outpouring of affection from locals who remember its glory days.
The saga of the vessel’s unexpected revival in November 1998, however, took a disheartening turn, ultimately leading to the Kalakala’s dismantling and the end of its storied journey.
Yet, thanks to the creative efforts of two Seattle residents, the enduring legacy of this beloved streamlined craft continues to resonate, now immortalized in song. On a chilly Wednesday morning following the severe Bomb Cyclone of November 2024, these two men gathered at Colman Dock to unveil a newly inspired rendition of their joint composition for KIRO Newsradio listeners.
From a picturesque public viewpoint at the southwest corner of Colman Dock, which overlooks Elliott Bay beside the bustling water taxi terminal, Jack Broom and Jon Pontrello shared with KIRO Newsradio the remarkable backstory behind the creation of the song 26 years ago, and its poignant revival in the present day.
Jack Broom, who retired in 2016 after dedicating nearly four decades of his career to the Seattle Times, witnessed the Kalakala’s jubilant return in 1998 and was inspired to pen the lyrics to “Roll On, Kalakala,” which pays tribute to the ferry to the tune of Woody Guthrie’s classic “Roll On, Columbia.” Broom’s songwriting portfolio also includes lyrical tributes to the ferry Cathlamet and other notable Pacific Northwest symbols such as the razor clam.
Reflecting on its distinctive charm, Broom remarked, “I grew up in Seattle and remember seeing it out on the water looking like a floating Airstream trailer.” He recalled how the Kalakala, affectionately dubbed “The Silver Slug” for its sleek metallic paint and perhaps its quick navigation, stood out amid a fleet of traditional ferries. “While all the other ferries look like white and green boxes, it was Art Deco,” he stated proudly. “It was fun to see; it was just something special.”
Broom further elaborated, “It went to Alaska for 30 years. And they brought it back in 1998 with the hopes of restoring it, but it didn’t quite work out.”
Not long after he crafted “Roll On, Kalakala,” a version was recorded and briefly circulated via an early audio-sharing platform created by The Seattle Times, accessible through touchtone phones. Regrettably, that original recording has since been lost, leaving no remaining copies.
Jon Pontrello, a dedicated Seattle musician known for his compelling songs that recount tales of Pacific Northwest shipwrecks, stumbled upon Broom’s poignant lyrical creation while conducting research on regional music. “Jack’s song, I just love the lyrics, and he originally wrote it in 1998 when the Kalakala returned,” Pontrello expressed. “It kind of had this theme of ‘following your dreams,’ which resonated with many, but after the Kalakala was demolished in 2015, he revised the last verse to encapsulate the final chapter in the Kalakala saga.”
Pontrello shared his admiration for the lyrics, stating, “Some of the lines in that last verse I really loved and felt like there was a bigger story connected to a universal truth about loss. And that really inspired me to want to record this song.”
With a spirited strum of his guitar, Pontrello performed “Roll On, Kalakala” live for KIRO Newsradio listeners, with Broom joining him harmoniously on the chorus.
Beneath the illuminated overlook, a dynamic scene played out as part of the eternally choreographed transportation ballet occurring at the dock. Immediately to the south, foot passengers disembarked from the Vashon and Bremerton water taxis, while to the north, the large Washington car ferries continued their rhythmic arrivals and departures at the terminal on Colman Dock, akin to the operations the Kalakala once performed from the 1930s until the 1960s.
To quote the immortal lyrics penned by Jack Broom himself, “Roll on, Kalakala, roll on!”
Anticipation builds as Jon Pontrello prepares to formally release the studio version of “Roll On, Kalakala” on December 19, 2024.
How does the Kalakala ferry represent the history and community spirit of Seattle according to the interview?
**Interview with Jack Broom and Jon Pontrello about the Kalakala Ferry and their song “Roll On, Kalakala”**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Jack Broom and Jon Pontrello! Thank you for joining us today at Colman Dock to discuss the Kalakala ferry and your heartfelt tribute to it, “Roll On, Kalakala.” This month marks the 26th anniversary of the ferry’s return to Seattle. Can you share with us what the Kalakala means to you and to the local community?
**Jack Broom:** Good morning! The Kalakala holds a special place in the hearts of many Seattleites. I grew up in this city, and I remember seeing it out on the water, looking like a floating Airstream trailer. It was a stunning piece of Art Deco design, unlike any other ferry we had. All the other ferries were essentially white and green boxes, but the Kalakala was unique—something special that brought joy to people.
**Jon Pontrello:** Absolutely! The Kalakala’s legacy goes beyond just its design; it represents a piece of our history. It’s fondly remembered for its service and the stories it carried. When Jack and I began working on this song, we wanted to capture that nostalgia and the spirit of the ferry that so many people still cherish.
**Interviewer:** The ferry had quite a journey before its return, including an unceremonious stint as a cannery in Alaska. With its return in 1998 and eventual dismantling, what do you think contributed to its enduring legacy?
**Jack Broom:** The love and enthusiasm from the community played a major role. When it returned, the hope was to restore it, but unfortunately, that didn’t pan out. However, memories of the Kalakala linger on, and that’s where our song comes in. After witnessing its return and seeing how much it meant to people, I felt inspired to write “Roll On, Kalakala” as a tribute.
**Jon Pontrello:** And it’s not just about the past; it’s about keeping the spirit alive. We took inspiration from Woody Guthrie’s “Roll On, Columbia” to give it that folk feel. Music has a way of connecting people and preserving history, and we wanted to honor what the Kalakala stood for.
**Interviewer:** It’s moving to hear how music can encapsulate such emotions. Jack, you mentioned that the original recording of the song has been lost. How do you feel about this revival of the song so many years later?
**Jack Broom:** It’s bittersweet. I put a lot of heart into the original version, which was shared in a very rudimentary way back then. But this new rendition brings it a fresh perspective. It feels right to honor the Kalakala during its anniversary, especially amidst a community gathering like today following such severe weather. It’s a reminder of resilience—both of the ferry and of our Seattle spirit.
**Jon Pontrello:** Indeed! It’s about looking forward while remembering the past. The Kalakala’s story continues, and I hope that through our music, we can inspire others to share their memories of this incredible vessel.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Jack and Jon, for sharing your insights today. Your passion for the Kalakala and its legacy shines through in your music. Here’s to celebrating the enduring memory of the Kalakala and the stories that continue to connect us all!
**Jack Broom:** Thank you for having us!
**Jon Pontrello:** Thank you! It’s a pleasure to share this story.
