Above: I can’t show a recent photo of the foot ferry, because it no longer exists. We walked the Damon Point loop in June, and this was our view looking over to Westport.
Update:
Feb 5, 2025 Aberdeen Daily World
Ocean Shores, Westport team up to combat erosion
“Ocean Shores City Administrator Scott Andersen says Damon Point has become a dangerous island surrounded by cold, turbulent waters.”
“As the relic jetty continues to degrade, that channel is identical to the tip of Damon Point last year and the year before,” Read said. “We’re looking at this sediment transport issue as it relates to the submerged jetty. I contend that if the jetty were maintained, then the sediment that we’re losing from Marine View Drive and up in Oyhut Bay would not be migrating out into the North Bay area and eventually down the Oyhut channel or across the face of Damon Point into the main harbor shipping channel. If we can convince and prove that that sediment from our shoreline is ending up in the shipping channel then we have a good chance at getting the (Army) Corps of Engineers to come in and add some sort of a design height to the relic jetty, which I consider the long-term or permanent measure to resolve some of the issues of the erosion along Oyhut Bay and Marine View Drive.”
In the news:
Sept 16, 2024 FOX13 Seattle
Ocean Shores battles erosion crisis as WA shoreline vanishes, homes at risk
“…in a race against nature as erosion from the ocean threatens to destroy homes and infrastructure.”
“Marshall believes a solution could lie in restoring an old jetty built more than a century ago, but the cost could reach $60 million — a significant investment that would come with bureaucratic challenges.”
“…the future of Ocean Shores remains uncertain.”
Race against nature, but the original jetty adjacent to public parking at Damon Point has not been maintained in 108 years? Love to see newspeople ask questions on this.
Foot Ferry History
No longer Here – Ferry to Westport – Fell Apart on the Ocean Shores side back in 2008:
Ocean Shores to Westport: Remembering the El Matador Ferry
By Douglas Scott
“Separated by less than two miles as the crow flies, traveling between Westport and Ocean Shores should be a quick excursion, but the drive is an hour long between the two seaside towns.”
“Sadly, the ferry service shut down in 2008, but not due to lack of popularity. While the ferry service had seen closures in previous years, the service would always pick back up and be celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Sadly, after too much sand and silt built up around the Ocean Shores marina, the El Matador was forced to cancel trips across the harbor. What was once a family-friendly boating experience and adventure across the harbor is now relegated to fond memories.”
Imagine telling the fishing boat captains over at Westport that their access to a 100 year old armor-plated harbor was going to be let go because too much sand and silt built up around the marina.
August 14, 2018 by Angelo Bruscas – North Coast News
Ocean Shores joins forces to restore ferry service with Westport
Ports and coastal improvement:
Oct. 9, 2020 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website
About the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
“One of the Seattle District’s primary missions is to maintain the navigation channels and harbors in the Pacific Northwest. Maintenance and navigation dredging is done frequently in harbor areas, ports and marinas. A significant component of Washington’s economy depends on navigation and commerce, which in turn depends on dredging navigation channels.”
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects roll on. We appreciate the work you do.
Love to see the press head over to Westport and give some credit where credit is due.
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used Ocean Shores hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Zero questions from small or large newspapers. Zero questions from TV newspeople.
At Damon Point, Ocean Shores once had an active marina with a restaurant, cocktail lounge and salmon charter boat outings. The Silver King Motel was there too.
Ocean Shores Marina History – A Time Gone By
More here:
Possibly of interest:
Sound Publishing And Black Press Media