Colman Clock

 

11/14/26 Colman Clock inside Colman Dock Ferry Terminal

Built in 1908, the Colman Clock first stood atop a 72-foot tower at the end of Colman Ferry Dock. After only four years, a steamship rammed into the dock, and the clock plunged into Puget Sound. (Read the full story in the Seattle Times article dated Nov. 5.) From there, the clock was put up again, taken down, put into storage, put up again, and put into storage again. After lengthy restoration, the old Colman Clock finally went back into operation last month at the ferry terminal safely inside the lobby.

Smith Tower

It was a timely coincidence that USk Seattle had scheduled an outing to the terminal today, and several sketchers were inspired to sketch the new old clock. With an intriguing visible mechanism (now fully restored and modernized with an auto-winding system), the clock was a serious drawing challenge! I was exhausted!

Needing a break after all that hard work, I stepped outside the terminal to make a quick sketch of my beloved Smith Tower’s familiar form before getting some lunch.

As always, I had a great time sketching with USk Seattle and seeing everyone’s take on the clock, the terminal interior and waterfront views.