Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Collection on David Rodgers, circa 1894-1942
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Collection on David Rodgers
- Dates
- circa
1894-1942 (inclusive)18901947
1917-1918 (bulk)19171918 - Quantity
- .42 cubic feet, (1 box)
- Collection Number
- 2009.56
- Summary
- Photographs, both loose and in albums, as well as newspaper articles and correspondence relating to David Rodgers and his career as manager of Skinner and Eddy Corporation shipyard in Seattle, Washington
- Repository
-
Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library
P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org - Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open to the public by appointment.
- Languages
- English.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
David Rodgers (circa 1865-June 25, 1923) was the manager of the Skinner and Eddy Corporation shipyard in Seattle in the 1910s.
Rodgers was born in 1868 in Belfast, Ireland, where he became a shipyard apprentice at age 10. In 1886, Rodgers immigrated to the United States. He worked in the shipbuilding industry across the country, starting in Duluth, Minnesota with the American Steel Barge Company and moving to Chicago at the Chicago Ship Building Company. He began working in the shipyards of San Francisco in 1898 with Union Ironworks.
In approximately 1903, Rodgers moved to Seattle. He worked as a master shipfitter (outside) with the Navy Yard in Bremerton until 1906, then with the Moran Company until 1908, when he returned to the Navy Yard, where he worked until 1912. He managed the Wallace shipyards in Vancouver, B.C. until approximately 1916, when he joined Skinner and Eddy Corporation as general manager.
On February 14, 1916, he broke ground on the Skinner and Eddy shipyard at the end of Atlantic Street on Elliott Bay. While running the shipyard, his crew broke records with how quickly ships were built, including a record time of 55 days. In 1918, Rodgers was invited to the White House to be thanked personally by Woodrow Wilson for his contribution to the war effort.
Rodgers retired from the shipyards in 1919 due to health issues, and died in 1923 at 58 years old. At his retirement, the Evergreen Park on Queen Anne Hill Seattle was renamed the David Rodgers Park, when workers at Skinner & Eddy raised $2000 for park improvements on condition the be named for their well-loved boss. In addition, Rodgers’ iconic derby hat was commandeered from his Queen Anne home and nailed, with ceremony, to the top of the mast of the Skinner & Eddy plant’s sheer leg, where it remained for many years.
David Rodgers was married to Canadian-born Carrie B. Rodgers (circa 1867- May 13, 1947). Carrie Rodgers sponsored at least two ships constructed at the Skinner and Eddy shipyard while her husband was general manager there.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection consists of loose photographs, photograph albums, newspaper clippings, magazines, and correspondence (approximately 96 photographs, some bound in four photograph albums, 47 clippings, one magazine, and 17 pieces of correspondence). Materials mostly deal with David Rodgers' professional life, but also include a small number of photographs of his wife Carrie Rodgers, cars, and his personal yachts. There are also three portraits of an unknown young man. Three of the photograph albums are dedicated to ships built by Skinner and Eddy, and the fourth consists mostly of portraits of David Rodgers at work in the shipyard.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from the collection in digital format by clicking on the camera icons in the inventory.
Restrictions on Use
The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Preferred Citation
Collection on David Rodgers, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Photographs, 1914-1920Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
Loose photographs |
1914-1920 | |
| Folder | ||
| 1 | 1: David Rodgers, possibly in Skinner and Eddy Shipyard
Webster & Stevens (photographer)
|
circa 1918 |
| 2 | 2-4: David Rodgers in crowd, possibly in Skinner and Eddy
Shipyard |
circa 1918 |
| 3 | 5: Carrie Rodgers in chair, with book and Boston terrier
Alsop (photographer)
|
circa 1918 |
| 4 | 6: Carrie Rodgers with car
Writing on verso: 1918, electric car, presented Mrs. Rodgers, Mrs. Lee Skinner off Skinner
[illeg--Shipyard?] Building
|
circa 1918 |
| 4 | 7: Carrie Rodgers in car |
circa 1918 |
| 4 | 8: Six people in front of car, Carrie Rogers third from right, Mount
Rainier National Park
Frank Jacobs (photographer)
Stamped on verso: Photo by Frank A. Jacobs, official photographer Rainier National Park Co., Longmire
Springs, WA
|
circa 1918 |
| 5 | 9: Rodgers farm in Zenith, Washington
Written on verso: David Rodgers Home, Zenith
|
circa 1920 |
| 6 | circa 1918 | |
| 6 | 11: Rodgers' yacht Carrie on Lake
Union
Written verso: Yacht Carrie owned by Mrs. David Rodgers Seattle 1914
|
1914 |
| 6 | 12: Rodgers' yacht Carrie
|
circa 1918 |
| 6 | 13: Unknown cabin cruiser |
circa 1918 |
| 7 | 14: Launching of the S.S. David Rodgers, built
by Skinner & Eddy Corp.
Webster & Stevens (photographer)
|
1918 February 9 |
| 7 | 15: S. S. Elkridge, built by Skinner and Eddy
Corp., after launch |
1919 July 21 |
| 8 | 16-18: Unidentified boy |
undated |
Photograph albums 4 albums
Two of the albums appear to have been gifts from Skinner and Eddy to Carrie Rodgers, who sponsored the
ships depicted.
|
1917-1919 | |
| Folder | ||
| 9a | S.S. David Rodgers album for Carrie
Rodgers 21 photographs in 1 album
All photographs in the album are by
Webster & Stevens (photographer)
Album largely depicting the construction and launching of the S.S. David
Rodgers. Several views of an unidentified ship's interior area are included in this and the next album. Also
includes photographs of Carrie Rodgers, a sponsor for the S.S. David Rodgers.
Album cover stamped "Mrs. David Rodgers. Sponsor for S.S. David Rodgers. Launched Feb. 9-1918."
Stamped in corner "Compliments Skinner and Eddy Corporation" |
circa 1918 |
19: Two women with bouquets, possibly sponsors of the S. S.
Elkridge
Caption on photo: Sponsor Hull 56, 7-21-19, Skinner and Eddy Corp.
|
1919 | |
20: Crowd, including Carrie Rodgers, at launching of the S. S. Edmore
Caption on photo: Mrs. David Rodgers sponsor, S. S. Edmore Hull no. 53, built by Skinner & Eddy
Corporation in 74 ½ working days. Keel laid December 28 1918, launched May 24, 1919, Seattle U.S.A.
|
1919 | |
| 24 May 1919 | ||
22: S. S. David Rodgers
|
circa 1918 | |
23: View of unidentified ship's top deck and engine |
circa 1918 | |
24: View of unidentified ship’s dining room |
circa 1918 | |
25: Captain’s quarters on unidentified ship |
circa 1918 | |
26: Unidentified ship's galley |
circa 1918 | |
27: Unidentified ship's engine room |
circa 1918 | |
28: Launching of S.S. David Rodgers, view
from water |
1918 February 9 | |
29: S. S. David Rodgers and
tugboat |
1918 | |
30: Carrie Rodgers with bouquet of flowers, probably at S.S.
David Rodgers launching |
1918 | |
31: Launching of S.S. David Rodgers, view
from shipyard |
1918 February 9 | |
32: S.S. David Rodgers in scaffolding,
probably shortly before launching ceremony |
1918 | |
33: Hull of S.S. David Rodgers in
scaffolding at shipyard
Caption on photo: Hull No. 16, Jan. 7 1918, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U. S. A
|
1918 January 7 | |
34: Men on scaffolding working on the S.S David
Rodgers
Caption on photo: Hull no. 16, Dec. 24 1917, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U.S.A.
|
1917 December 24 | |
35: Hull of S.S. David Rodgers in
scaffolding at shipyard
Caption on photo: Hull no. 16, Dec. 15 1917, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U.S.A.
|
1917 December 15 | |
36: Base of hull of S.S. David Rodgers in
scaffolding at shipyard
Caption on photo: Hull no. 16, Dec. 8 1917, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U.S.A.
|
1917 December 8 | |
37: Base of hull of S.S. David Rodgers in
scaffolding at shipyard
Caption on photo: Hull no. 16, Dec. 1 1917, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U.S.A.
|
1917 December 1 | |
38: Base of hull of S.S. David Rodgers in
scaffolding at shipyard, with workers
Caption on photo: Hull no. 16, November-17- 1917, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U.S.A.
|
1917 November 17 | |
39: Keel of S.S. David Rodgers laid in
scaffolding at shipyard
Caption on photo: Hull no. 16, November-3- 1917, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U.S.A.
|
1917 | |
| 9b | 135 - 156: SS David Rodgers under construction, Skinner & Eddy Corp., Seattle, November 10, 1917 S David Rodgers under construction, Skinner & Eddy Corp., Seattle, December 1, 1917 SS David Rodgers under construction, Skinner & Eddy Corp., Seattle, December 8, 1917 SS David Rodgers under construction, Skinner & Eddy Corp., Seattle, December 15, 1917 Carrie Rodgers with bouquet on SS David Rodgers launch day, Seattle, February 9, 1918 Launch of SS David Rodgers, Skinner & Eddy Corp. shipyard, Seattle, February 9, 1918 David Rodgers at Skinner & Eddy Corporation shipyard, Seattle, circa 1918 22 photos in 1 album
All photographs in the album are by
Webster & Stevens (photographer)
Album largely depicting the launching and construction of the S.S. David
Rodgers. Includes portraits of Carrie and David Rodgers. Also includes photographs of the S.S.
West Cressy and the S.S. Westlake.
Some photographs are duplicates of photographs in the S.S. David Rodgers
album for Carrie Rodgers (2009.56.19-39)
Album received anonymously in 2010 and added to collection.
|
1917-1918 |
| 10 | S.S. West Elcasco album 16 photographs in 1 album
Album largely depicting the launching and construction of the S.S. West
Elcasco. Several views of an unidentified ship's interior area are included in this and the previous album. Also
includes photographs of Carrie Rodgers at the launching for the West Elcasco.
Album cover stamped "Mrs. David Rodgers. Sponsor for S.S. West Elcasco. Launched Sept. 21-1918."
Stamped in corner "Compliments Skinner and Eddy Corporation." First five photographs in album are duplicates of numbers 23-27 iin S.S. David Rodgers album for Carrie Rodgers. |
1918 |
40-44: Deck and interior rooms, probably of SS West Elasco
Webster & Stevens (photographer)
Duplicates of numbers 23-27.
|
circa 1918 | |
45: S. S. West Elcasco in water on launching
day |
1918 September 21 | |
| 1918 September 21 | ||
47: Carrie Rodgers and unknown young woman (possibly Gladys Miller) with
bouquets at launch of S. S. West Elcasco
|
1918 September 21 | |
48: Carrie Rodgers at launch of S. S. West
Elcasco
|
1918 September 21 | |
49: Bow of S.S. West Elcasco and dedication
platform on launching day before festivities |
1918 September 21 | |
50: Bow of S.S. West Elcasco in
scaffolding
Caption on photo: Hull 38, 9-20-18, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U. S. A.
|
1918 September 20 | |
51: Bow of S.S. West Elcasco in
scaffolding
Caption on photo: Hull 38, 9-13-18, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U. S. A.
|
1918 September 13 | |
52: Bow of S.S. West Elcasco in
scaffolding
Caption on photo: Hull 38, 9-6-18, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U. S. A.
|
1918 September 6 | |
53: Hull of S.S. West Elcasco in
scaffolding
Caption on photo: Hull 38, Aug. 9, ’18, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U. S. A.
|
1918 August 9 | |
54: Hull of S.S. West Elcasco in
scaffolding
Caption on photo: Hull 38, 7-26-18, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U. S. A.
|
1918 July 26 | |
55: Keel of S.S. West Elcasco being laid in
scaffolding by workers
Caption on photo: Hull 38, 7-12-18, Skinner and Eddy Corp., Seattle, U. S. A.
|
1918 July 12 | |
| 11 | David Rodgers and Skinner and Eddy album 20 photographs in 1 album
All photographs in the album are by
Webster & Stevens (photographer)
Portraits of Rodgers and photographs of Rodgers in the shipyard, as well as photographs of ships built
by Skinner and Eddy Corporation.
|
circa 1918, undated |
| circa 1918 | ||
68: Model ship |
circa 1918 | |
69: S.S. Edgefield in water
Caption on photo: S. S. Edgefield, built by Skinner & Eddy Corporation, launched Dec. 7, 1918,
trial trip Dec. 31, 1918, Seattle U. S. A.
|
1918 December | |
70: Unidentified ship in water |
circa 1918 | |
71: Young woman at launching ceremony with small boy and David
Rodgers
Caption on photo: Miss Gladys Miller, Sponsor, M.S. Little David, built by Skinner & Eddy
Corporation, launched Sept, 21, 1918, Seattle U. S. A.
|
1918 September 21 | |
72: S.S. Niels Nielson in water
Caption on photo: S.S. Niels Nelson, built by Skinner & Eddy Corporation, Seattle U. S. A..
|
circa 1918 | |
73-74: Portraits of David Rodgers at shipyard |
circa 1918 | |
75: David Rodgers reading a newspaper
Loose photograph in album
|
circa 1918 |
Correspondence, 1894-1942Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 12 | 76: Letter to Carrie Rodgers from laundry service deliveryman
Letter regarding Rodgers' $50 reward to this driver in thanks for returning money apparently found with
her laundry.
|
1942 April 1 |
| 13 | 77: Letter to Carrie Rodgers from Central Labor Counsel expressing sympathy
for David Rodgers' death |
1923 June 28 |
| 14 | 78: Holiday card from the Rodgers family, Christmas 1913 |
1913 |
Work-related correspondence to David Rodgers and letters of
recommendation |
1894-1916 | |
| Folder | ||
| 15 | 79: Letter of recommendation from American Steel Barge Company of New York
and Duluth, Minnesota |
1894 August 18 |
| 15 | 80: Letter of recommendation from Chicago Ship Building Company |
1897 March 9 |
| 15 | 81: Letter accepting David Rodgers' resignation from the Naval Shipyard in
Bremerton, Washington |
1906 October 9 |
| 15 | 82: Letter from David Rodgers resigning from the Moran Co. Steel
Construction Dept, as of September 11, 1907 |
1907 June 11 |
| 15 | 83: Letter of recommendation from the Moran Co. to the Puget Sound Navy
Yard Board of Examination praising David Rodgers |
1908 May 21 |
| 15 | 84: Letter from Puget Sound Navy Yard accepting David Rodgers' application
to the position of master shipbuilder |
1908 May 28 |
| 15 | 85: Letter from Puget Sound Navy Yard returning David Rodger’s application
packet to him and informing him of his examination score |
1908 August 12 |
| 15 | 86: Letter of recommendation |
1912 May 27 |
| 15 | 87: Letter of recommendation |
1912 June 14 |
| 15 | 88: Letter stating the return of letters of recommendation from the Navy
Yard |
1912 August 1 |
| 15 | 89: Letter appointing David Rodgers to position of master shipfitter at the
Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington |
1912 August 12 |
| 15 | 90: Letter accepting David Rodgers' letter of resignation from position of
master shipfitter at the Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington |
1912 October 28 |
| 15 | 91: Telegram congratulating David Rodgers on launch of first ship from new
yard |
1916 September 28 |
Ephemera, 1912-1929Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 16 | 92-98: New York newspaper clippings about Skinner and Eddy 1 letter and 6 clippings
Collection of New York newspaper clippings, from May 17, 1918, mentioning Skinner and Eddy shipyards’
accomplishments, sent to David Rodgers by the United States Shipping Board. Includes a letter of introduction, a
clipping about a riveting competition, clippings mentioning Skinner & Eddy Shipyard, and a verse about shipyard
accomplishments, "The Song of the Shipbuilder" by Louis K. Anspacher.
|
1918 May 17 |
| 17 | 99-123: Articles from Seattle newspapers about David Rodgers and/or Skinner and
Eddy Shipyards 25 clippings
|
1912-1929 |
| 18 | 124-133: Newspaper articles relating to David Rodgers' personal life, illness and
death 10 items
|
1918, 1923 |
| 19 | 134:
Shipyard News Weekly, Sponsors’ Edition, September 6, 1918, Volume 2, No.
1.
News magazine containing list of ship sponsors and their photographs at the ship launching ceremonies,
along with the gifts presented to them by the shipyards and their employees.
|
1918 |
| 20 | 134: David Rodgers' Skinner and Eddy Corp. business cards |
circa 1918 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Boat and ship industry--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Ships--Washington (State)--Seattle
Personal Names
- Rodgers, Carrie, d. 1947
- Rodgers, David, d. 1923--Archives
Corporate Names
- Skinner and Eddy Corporation
Geographical Names
- Seattle (Wash.)
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographs
Finding aid prepared by Jessica Werner
2009
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
