FOLLOWUP: ‘SS Minnow’ finally removed from Don Armeni Boat Ramp

2:12 PM: Thanks to Stewart L. for the report and photos. The boat that’s been occupying a parking spot at Don Armeni Boat Ramp – the Gooey, recently renamed “SS Minnow” by an onlooker with a ’60s-TV-show memory – has finally been removed. Stewart watched the tow crew arrive and take on the task:

He says, “They picked it up, swung it into position; a large boat trailer came, the boat was put on the trailer, the engine was picked up and put in the boat, and soon they will haul it away!” He says a crew was cleaning up the parking space post-removal, too. It’s been two months since the boat first made news after multiple reports that it appeared to be sinking; one month ago, Seattle Parks told us that once the boat was removed, the city will seek reimbursement via the state’s Derelict Vessel Removal Program.

ADDED 3:14 PM: Another pic from Stewart L. – the actual departure:

Marcus November 5, 2025 (2:34 pm)

Scary that you need to explain where the S.S. Minnow reference originated. Tells me too many people are younger. Them were the days when TV was corny fun. Something we have lost. Dawn Wells who played Mary Ann was an early Covid victim. RIP. Nice to have the old reference.

Brian November 5, 2025 (3:21 pm)

I too live in fear of the day when children no longer hum the theme songs to my favorite sitcoms as they run alongside a hoop with a stick in their hand.
- IDC9 November 5, 2025 (6:57 pm)
  
  A lot of these shows still air on lesser-known TV channels, like ME TV and Antenna TV. If parents want to introduce these fine programs to their children, they can certainly do so. They are better than just about anything on TV these days.
- Mike November 6, 2025 (9:42 am)
  
  Brian: thanks for making me laugh! Moving aside to let the next generation take dominion can be tough:)
Eric1 November 5, 2025 (3:58 pm)

Kids at work look at me funny when I tell them: “You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred.”
Actualperson November 5, 2025 (4:39 pm)

The professor-Russel Johnson moved to Bainbridge Island. He passed away in 2014 at 90yo. The boat shown on the series was a production boat-Wheeler. They were built in Brooklyn then moved to Long Island. The actual boat from the series was photographed in Los Angeles but was purchased and restored by a resident of Sydney BC. Don’t know if it’s still there.
IDC9 November 5, 2025 (6:57 pm)

Such a reference should be common knowledge.
Neighbor November 6, 2025 (9:43 am)

The last episode of Gilligan’s Island aired in 1967. That’s before we landed on the Moon. Children born after that are now grandparents.
CMAnderson November 9, 2025 (7:54 pm)

My dad had to attach the foiled bunny ears, but every week without fail we were sitting in front of our console TV anxiously waiting for Gilligan’s Island! It was the one show that my brothers, sister and I would give up playing outside and gobble up our dinner to watch. I think Tina Marie is the sole survivor of the castaways?
- WSB November 9, 2025 (8:20 pm)
  
  Apparently Tina Louise is indeed sole survivor. Article from this past June, meantime:
  https://people.com/gilligans-island-star-tina-louise-spotted-in-rare-sighting-at-91-11752090

Margaret November 5, 2025 (2:45 pm)

This whole story is ripe for a podcast!

Stewart L. November 5, 2025 (4:23 pm)

“Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale
A tale of a fateful trip,
it started at Don Armeni’s dock,
Aboard this mid-sized ship.
The owner of the boat’s unknown,
It’s history’s unclear,It set out on that fateful day.
And no one shed a tear,
No, not one tear.
The weather was quite nice that day,
The ship was met by fate,
It was taking on water through its leaky hull,
It never made the strait,
It never made the strait

The Coast Guard towed the ship right back to the Don Armeni dock,
The police came,
And the DOT,
The EPA, and their crew,
The looky-loos,
And reporters from the local news,
At Don Armeni’s dock.
———————————————————–
So this is the tale of the broken ship,
Been here for a long long while,
We’ll have to make the best of things,
As the wreck decays in style.
The State will tow this ship away,
Didn’t go more than a mile,
The fishermen view it with disdain,
This rotting wreck’s reviled,
It’s taking up three parking spots,
Stops them from going to sea
,It’s just a loathsome problem,
As ugly as it can be.
So join us at Don Armeni’s,
You’re sure to get a smile,
As the good ship slowly falls apart,
Into a junkyard pile.”

IDC9 November 5, 2025 (6:54 pm)

This is awesome! You have a great sense of humor! Someone needs to turn this into a music video!

sbre November 5, 2025 (4:27 pm)

I like the ‘Capt. America’ shield on the tow truck and loved all the great creations that ‘the professor’ came up with in an effort to comfort their lives and attempts to get them rescued!

Marty November 5, 2025 (4:49 pm)

Nice that it has finally been removed. That should have happened weeks ago.

Frog November 5, 2025 (7:08 pm)

That boat would have been pricey when new. I wonder what will become of it now — landfill, or will some boat yard replace the engine, clean it up, and try to resell it?

22blades November 6, 2025 (9:30 am)

I’m surprised they didn’t cut it up right there like the marinas do. Now they have to crane it, trailer it, remove all the HazMat, store it & then cut it up & take it to the dump. Closest place that readily takes them intact is up in Snohomish County. Maybe there’s some more of the legal process to play out. (Republic got a good deal)

Sorry, comment time is over.