Van Damme Turns 100 in Style

Posted on Author Jenny Stein

Jerry Hannan (l) and Main Dock’s Pacifico Samante (c)  |  photo by Jen Gennari

One of the 4 bands who entertained the crowd of 100 CVD supporters was Joe Tate and the Hippie Voices, featuring vocalist Maggie Catfish
post and additional photos by Larry Clinton
Jane Clinton (Gate 6-1/2) chatting with Issaquah Dock’s Frank Hemmert and Denise Ward, plus Emily and Stuart Riddle
The East Pierians are Ted Sempliner, Teddie Hathaway and Linda Sempliner joined by Susan Frank of the Historical Society (l. to r.)

Over 100 pirates, wharf rats, and nostalgia buffs gathered at the Sausalito Seahorse on November 18 to celebrate the 100th birthday of the ferryboat Charles Van Damme, and to support efforts to restore the old ship’s paddlewheel and smokestack.

The colorful crowd danced to live music by Fiver Brown, Jerry Hannan, Pacifico Samonte and Harmonic Law, plus the Hippie Voices featuring Joe Tate and Maggie Catfish. The walls of the Seahorse were festooned with banners depicting the history of the Van Damme, augmented by a large screen slide show which can be VIEWED HERE.

Funds raised at this event will be used to finance the next step in the project: drafting structural engineering plans for the restoration of the artifacts, with the goal of eventually displaying both the paddlewheel and smokestack in the waterfront park coming to Waldo Point Harbor near the new Van Damme Dock.