Hoquiam Submits Name for State Ferry, Spell Check Concurs

HOQUIAM, Wash. - Ferry passengers could one day sit on the Hoquiam, and debate it's pronunciation.

Construction of two new Olympic Class 144-car ferries is under way and the Washington State Transportation Commission has invited people statewide to get involved by submitting name ideas for the boats. The Hoquiam city council last night adopted a proclamation that submits the name for consideration. City Administrator Brian Shay said they had good reason "The city of Hoquiam is the only city in the world with that name. The name [means] "Hungry for wood" came from the Chehalis tribe. And we feel we have a great story to tell with our maritime and logging history. So we're really hopeful that the state will select Hoquiam as [the name for] one of the state ferries."

Following today's deadline, the commission will begin a review and public comment process on eligible name proposals. This process will consider input from Washington State Ferries, the Ferry Advisory Committee executive council, and the general public. Final selection of the two vessel names will occur at the commission’s Nov. 13 meeting in Tacoma.