Seattle's historic ship Wawona may may be gone, but we shouldn't forget her. She deserves a monument of some kind. But where to put it? I took a look recently at the latest schematic for Lake Union Park , and I noticed that the shoreline where the 1897 schooner was berthed is unnamed. No moniker, no "Something Something Beach," or similar.
Now here's an opportunity to preserve Wawona's memory and part of the city's maritime story. I've written a letter to Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Tim Gallagher (copying the City Council and Mayor Nickels) suggesting the shoreline just west of the Center for Wooden Boats be named "Wawona Landing." The naming would cost zero, and there's plenty of grant money and artistic talent in Seattle for a fabulous piece of public art.
The name and the marker/public art would demonstrate the ship's historical significance for park users, remind the ship's thousands of visitors of their experience aboard the vessel over the last 40 years, and thank the legions of maritime heritage supporters who labored to save this important artifact. Wawona was always more than a boat; she was a carrier of memories, and this is one last chance to honor her memory in a positive way.
