9:54 AM: Thanks to Lynn Hall for the photo of the megaship CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin in the murky distance, as seen from Alki as it sailed out of Elliott Bay about an hour ago, after its daylong visit to Harbor Island, biggest cargo ship ever to visit here (or any other U.S. port). According to the posted itinerary, it’s headed for Xiamen, China. When will – or will – it return here? Too soon to say.

Our coverage of Monday’s visit is here, with additions including a Puget Sound Pilot‘s time-lapse video from the bridge as it entered Elliott Bay.

P.S. As discussed in Monday comments and explained here – CMA CGM stands for Compagnie Maritime d’Affrètement, the name with which the company was founded in 1978, and Compagnie Générale Maritime, with which it merged in 1996.

2:15 PM: Thanks to Don Brubeck for a closer view of the Benjamin Franklin’s departure:

The BF is currently west of Port Angeles and approaching the entrance/exit of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.