Robert B. Ross Collection of Maritime Photographs and Other Material, circa 1895-1961

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Ross, Robert B., 1869-1952
Title
Robert B. Ross Collection of Maritime Photographs and Other Material
Dates
circa 1895-1961 (inclusive)
1910-1942 (bulk)
Quantity
2 boxes, (.84 cubic feet)
Collection Number
1984.81
Summary
The collection consists largely of photographs of sailing ships, tugboats and steamships related to Ross's career as Chief Engineer on various vessels.
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

Robert B. Ross was born in Adelaide, Australia in 1867. In 1870 Ross's family sailed on the Benjamin Amer to San Francisco, and later that year to Port Madison on Bainbridge Island, Washington aboard the barkentine William H. Gawley. Ross began his maritime career in his teens, steamboating on Puget Sound in the summer 1883 and working as a machinist in various Puget Sound ports in 1884.

In 1891, Ross began working for the Puget Sound Tug Boat Company, serving as assistant or chief engineer on nearly all 14 deep-sea tugs comprising the company fleet. In 1898, Ross conveyed the fleet of 12 Moran Brothers river steamboats from Seattle to St. Michael, Alaska during the Klondike gold rush. In 1903, he was chief engineer of the tugboat Tyee when it towed the disabled freight steamship Meteor from Dutch Harbor, Alaska to Seattle.

In 1917, Ross left the towing fleets and worked installing machinery for the U.S. Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation, working on ships including the motorship Alabama and the steamships Mahaska, Nasika, Yakima, Bosworth, Delight and Gaffeny. Around 1920, he worked aboard the steamship West Jessup as chief engineer, and later serving on the steamship Higho, on which he sailed from Seattle to Taku Bar, China, during a stormy voyage in which the ship sustained some damage. During his stay, Ross visited the Great Wall and various ports in China and Japan. While working aboard the Higho, Ross also visited ports along the east coast of South America and along the Mediterranean, in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Northern Africa.

Other ships on which Ross served as chief engineer include the tug Sea Monarch, the tug A.O. Hermanson, the steamships Norwood and Mahukona, as well as ferries of the Puget Sound Navigation Company.

In 1930, Ross went to New York, where he became chief engineer of the steamship Eastern Coast, renamed the Diamond Cement. The vessel came west and operated out of Seattle until 1933, when it returned to the Atlantic coast. Ross left the ship in Boston and returned to Seattle, but came on again as chief engineer when the Diamond Cement, of the Pacific Coast Coal Company, returned to Seattle in 1935. He served continuously in this position until his retirement in 1942.

Robert Ross died in Port Madison in December 1952.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection is comprised largely of photographs, with 239 loose photographs and 6 photograph albums. Most of the photographs depict ships and include sailing ships, tugboats and steamships. The photographs appear to relate to Ross's employment, with photographs of sailing ships apparently taken from tugboats, though it is unknown whether they were taken by Ross, or during the time he was serving on the tugboat. Photographs of tugboats depict ships Ross is known to have served on, such as the Tacoma and other tugs of the Puget Sound Tug Boat Company. The collection also depicts steamships on which Ross served as Chief Engineer, notably the Higho and the Diamond Cement, which operated for a time as an ore carrier that shuttled between Seattle and View Cove, Alaska.

The collection includes a series of photographs taken during the time Ross served on the Higho when the ship stopped in ports in China, Brazil and Italy and includes images of the officers of the Higho on tour visiting Pisa, Rio de Janeiro, China's Great Wall and other attractions.

Papers include original writings about Ross's experience on and knowledge of the tugs Tyee and Tacoma, a small amount of work-related correspondence and notes, and a file of clippings related to early vessels on Puget Sound, other vessels and maritime personalities.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

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

Robert B. Ross Collection of Maritime Photographs and Other Material, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged in series:

  • Photographs
  • Photographic postcards
  • Albums
  • Papers
    • Writings
    • Correspondence
    • Ephemera

Location of Collection

2b.1.9 (photographs and albums)

Location of Collection

13b.4.3 (papers)

Location of Collection

1a.3.14 (oversize photo)

Acquisition Information

Gift of the estate of Robert B. Ross via William O. Beaton, August 1984.

Processing Note

Glassine dividers between album pages were removed and album pages were interleaved with archival tissue.

Numbering of photographs begins with number 19; numbers 1 through 18 are assigned to collection artifacts held by the Collections Department at MOHAI.

Separated Materials

Several books that were received with the donation were transferred to the book collection of the Sophie Frye Bass Library.

These materials are part of a donation that also included a number of artifacts. These artifacts are cataloged and stored separately by MOHAI's Collections Department.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

PhotographsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Robert B. Ross
circa 1940
Box/Folder
1/1
19: Robert B. Ross on the tug Tacoma
circa 1900
1/1
20: Robert B. Ross on ship at sea, probably the Diamond Cement
circa 1940
1/1
21: Robert B. Ross on the Diamond Cement
"Latest picture at sea"
1940
1/1
22: Man on ship, probably Robert B. Ross on the Diamond Cement
negative ; 4" x 6"
circa 1940
Sailing ships
Photographs of sailing ships were probably all taken from the deck of a tugboat; tugboat deck and tow lines are visible in several of the photographs.
circa 1891-1917
Box/Folder
1/3
24-54: Sailing ships
Ships being towed to port from sea
  • Abner Coburn
  • George E. Billings
  • Idaho
  • Klickitat
  • Manila (Japanese schooner)
  • Marion Chilcotte
  • Schooner Maud
  • Meteor
  • Robert Rickmos (?), a German ship
circa 1891-1917
1/4
55-60: Sailing ships
  • Admiral
  • Alexander McNeill
  • Revenue cutter Grant
  • Helene
circa 1891-1917
1/5
63-74: Sailing ships, probably from tug Tacoma
5" x 7"
Includes images where the Tacoma and crew are visible
  • Gatherer
  • Glenesslin
  • Okanogan
  • Silo
circa 1891-1917
1/6
75-79: Sailing ships
3.5" x 3.5"
  • Glenesslin
  • Schooner Helene
circa 1891-1917
1/7
80: Ship Pinmore listing starboard
"Salv[ag]ed by Tyee from sholes north of Grey's Hbr and towed to Puget Sound"
1901 October 29
1/7
81: Ship Roanoke
"American wooden sailing ship of the Sewell fleet"
circa 1891-1917
1/8
82: Barkentine Gardner City
circa 1891-1917
1/9
83: Sailing ship Spartan
hand-colored
"Ship Spartan after being cast off by Tug Tacoma at Cape Flattery. Coal ladened for San Francisco"
circa 1891-1917
1/10
84: Man with figurehead of sailing ship Glory of the Seas
Muirhead Photo (photographer)
1911
85-90: Sailing ships
negatives ; 5" x 7"
Tugboat from which photograph was taken is visible in two of the images
circa 1891-1917
Tugboats
Date range is estimated based on the years Ross is known to have worked on tugboats; some photographs may be later
circa 1891-1917
Box/Folder
1/2
23: Tug Politkofsky in Port Blakely harbor
Note signed by R.B. Ross on verso: "Tug Politkofsky formally [sic] a Russian gunboat came under the American flag with the purchase of Alaska by the U.S.A.
The Politkovsky towed the Bkn. Wm. H. Gawley from sea to Port Madison Jan 1871 and our family was passengers on the Gawley.
Later converted to a Tug and used by Port Madison and Port Blakeley [sic] Mill Cos."
undated
Tug Tacoma
circa 1891-1917
folder:oversize
OS
91: Tug Tacoma
circa 1891-1917
Box/Folder
1/4
61: Three men on tug Tacoma: J.F. Primrose, Charles Rasmoson, and John Stromberg
circa 1891-1917
1/6
77: Crew on tug Tacoma
circa 1891-1917
1/11
92: Robert B. Ross, Sue Phillips and Etta Alexander on tug Tacoma
cyanotype
circa 1891-1917
1/11
93: H.H. Morrison, Sue Phillips and Etta Alexander on tug Tacoma
cyanotype
circa 1891-1917
Tug Tyee
circa 1891-1917
Box/Folder
1/12
94: Tug Tyee at sea
Handwritten on verso: "Was built at Ludlow by the Union Iron Wks., S[an] F[rancisco] Cal[ifornia]"
circa 1891-1917
1/12
95-96: Robert B. Ross on tug Tyee
Handwritten on verso: "Tug Tyee. R.B. Ross Engr."
circa 1891-1917
1/12
97-99: Tug Tyee
circa 1891-1917
Box/Folder
1/13
100: Tug Lorne
circa 1891-1917
1/13
101: Tug Sea Lion
Handwritten on verso: "Tug Sea Lion rammed and sunk by Schr Oceana Vance off Race Rocks in fog. Sea Lion was built by John Dialogue at Camden, N.J. Was a speedy vessel and very hanson [sic]."
circa 1891-1917
1/13
102: Tug Pioneer
circa 1891-1917
1/13
103: Tug Wanderer
circa 1891-1917
1/13
104: Tug boat towing sail boat
circa 1891-1917
1/13
105: Tug Reliance
circa 1891-1917
1/13
106: Tug Wyadda
2 copies
circa 1891-1917
Tug Tatoosh
Box/Folder
1/14
107-108: Launching of tug Tatoosh at Moran Brothers shipyard, Seattle
1900 February 2
1/14
109: Tug Tatoosh flying ten different flags
circa 1900-1917
1/14
110: Tug Tatoosh at sea
Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
3 copies
circa 1900-1917
Box/Folder
1/15
111-113: Motorship Alabama on ways and launching
Note on verso indicates that the machinery on the Alabama was installed by Robert B. Ross
circa 1891-1917
Steamships
S.S. Higho
Ross served as Chief Engineer aboard the steamship Higho.
Photographs depicts the steamship Higho, and Ross and other officers visiting ports in China, Brazil and Italy.
1919-1920
Box/Folder
1/16
114: S.S. Higho in Portland
1919 June
1/17
115-119: Officers of the S.S. Higho
5 photographs
3 of the images depict 8 officers on the deck of the Higho: 1st Mate Meadows, 2nd Mate Phillips, Chief Engineer Robert B. Ross, 1st Assistant Engineer H.O. Halvorsen, 2nd Assistant Engineer R. Billings, 3rd Assistant Engineer B. Hubble, and an unidentified Radio Operator and 3rd Mate.
2 of the images depict 4 of the officers listed above.
1920
Hong Kong and China tours
1920
Box/Folder
1/18
120: Chinese men unloading coal from the Higho in Honk Kong
1920
1/18
121: Chinese junks in Hong Kong
1920
1/18
122: Junks and sampans in Hong Kong
1920
1/18
123: Great Wall
1920
1/18
124: Great Wall and city of Shan-Hai-Kuan
1920
1/18
125-126: Streets in Shan-Hai-Kuan
1920
1/18
127: Five men from the Higho, including R.B. Ross, in front of tower on top of Great Wall
1920 April
1/18
128: Five men from the Higho, including R.B. Ross, and 8 Chinese men near temple built on top of Great Wall
1920
1/18
129: Prison with Great Wall in background
1920
1/18
130: Higho officer Hubble standing with Chinese family
1920
1/18
131: Chinese man squatting
1920
1/18
132-134: Chow puppies
1920
Brazil tour
1920
Box/Folder
1/19
135: Engineering crew on deck of the Higho
"Panama Canal, July 5, 1920, S.S. Higho"
Identifications on verso. Left to right: Chief Engineer Robert B. Ross, 1st Engineer H.O. Halvorsen, 2nd Engineer R. Billings, 3rd Engineer B. Hubbel
1920 July 5
1/19
136: Man on deck of Higho with Rio de Janeiro and Sugar Loaf Mountain in distance
Identified on verso as L. Weltgen
1920
1/19
137: Two men on deck of Higho with Rio de Janeiro and Sugar Loaf Mountain in distance
Identified on verso as D. Brunea and L. Weltgen
1920
1/19
138: Two men on deck of Higho
Identified on verso and Robert B. Ross and "McCurdy"
1920
1/19
139: Higho officer "Sparks" in front of hotel in Santos, Brazil
1920
1/19
140: Hotel in Santos, Brazil
1920
1/19
141-143: Train tracks between Santos and Santa Paula
1920
1/19
144: Statue and pond in Santa Paula
1920
1/19
145-150: Horse racing track in Santa Paula
1920
1/19
151-153: Robert B. Ross, H.O. Halverson and R. Billings on auto road along beach outside Rio de Janeiro
Note on 153: "Drive along cliffs out of Rio de Janeiro. This road was built to entertain King Albert of Belgium."
1920
1/19
154: Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro
1920
1/19
155-157: Cable cars at Sugar Loaf Mountain
1920
Italy tour
circa 1920
Box/Folder
1/20
158-162: Leaning tower at Pisa
Includes images of the tower from the ground and views from the top of the tower. Robert B. Ross appears in some images, along with "McCurdy" and "Daniellson."
circa 1920
1/20
163-165: Pisa Cathedral
circa 1920
1/20
166-170: Higho officers, including Robert B. Ross, in Pompeii
circa 1920
1/20
171: "Weltgen" at café table in Genoa
circa 1920
1/20
172: Columbus House, Genoa
circa 1920
1/20
173: Steamship
This photo was together with the Higho tour photos but the location of the steamship is unknown
undated
The Diamond Cement
Dates are estimated based on the dates that Ross served as Chief Engineer on the Diamond Cement.
circa 1930-1942
Box/Folder
1/21
174-175: Diamond Cement loading ore at View Cove, Alaska
circa 1930-1942
1/22
176-177: Seattle waterway bridges (?) open for passage of Diamond Cement (view from deck of Diamond Cement)
circa 1930-1942
1/23
178-180: Stormy sea from the Diamond Cement showing water on deck, views forward and aft
"S.S. Diamond Cement with 6500 tons lime rock cargo in Hekita Straits"
circa 1930-1942
1/23
181: Diamond Cement discharging cargo in Seattle
circa 1930-1942
1/23
182: View of deck and water from bridge of Diamond Cement
circa 1930-1942
1/23
183: View of Laurada (?) Channel from Diamond Cement
1940 April 29
1/23
184: View of Principe Channel, B.C. from Diamond Cement
1940 April 30
1/23
185: Men on deck near lifeboat
"Fire drill on the S.S. Diamond Cement"
1940 May 3
1/23
186: Man near winch on deck
circa 1930-1942
1/23
187: Robert B. Ross, Joe Brugger, S.M. Anderson, 2nd mate Larsen and two female passengers on deck
circa 1930-1942
1/23
188: Robert B. Ross and young girl passenger on deck
circa 1930-1942
1/23
189: Radio operator "Bears" on deck
circa 1930-1942
1/23
190: 2nd Officer Clark, 1st Office Peterson and Chief Engineer Robert Ross on deck
circa 1930-1942
1/23
191: Captain Guptill, Chief Engineer Robert Ross and six passengers on deck
circa 1930-1942
1/23
192: Robert B. Ross on deck
1940 May 3
1/23
193: Captain Einer Thomsen on deck
1940 May 3
1/23
194: 2nd Assistant Joe Brugger on deck
1940 May 3
1/23
195: 1st Officer Delbert Kelly on deck
1940 May 3
1/23
196: Robert B. Ross and "Biers" of S.S. Diamond Cement standing near cactus on San Marcos Island, Mexico
circa 1930-1942
1/24
197-201: Limestone quarry at View Cove, Dall Island, Alaska
Showing quarry, power plant, crusher house, wharf, and conveyer.
The Diamond Cement carried loads of limestone between the View Cove quarry and Seattle for the Pacific Coast Coal Company.
circa 1930-1942
1/25
202: Diamond Cement in Inside Passage from Alaska to Puget Sound
undated
Other steamships
Box/Folder
1/4
62: S.S. Garonne
undated
1/6
78-79: S.S. Victorian; unidentified steamer
undated
1/26
203: Steamer Fairhaven at sea
undated
1/26
204: Steamer Prince Robert in pass
undated
1/26
205: Steamer Sehome loading passenger at dock
Crain's Instantaneous Photographics (photographer)
undated
1/26
206: Steamer Flyer at sea
"Built at Portland-famous for performances as ferry between Seattle & Tacoma for many years"
undated
1/26
207: Steamer Michigan loaded with passengers, Port Blakely
Peiser (photographer)
"Jas Nugent owner. Wm. Primrose master"
undated
1/26
208: Steamer Egremont at dock, Seattle
1912
1/26
209: Steamer Zephyr with passengers at dock
Stereograph
undated
1/26
210: Steamer Beaver near coast
"Beaver first steam vessel on the Pacific Ocean"
undated
211: Steamship at sea
negative ; 5" x 7"
undated
Box/Folder
1/27
212: Crew of steamer Hyak
Studio portrait of 4 men in uniform. Left to right: Ole Hansen, Engineer; Alfred Welfare, Mate; Gus Johnson, Purser; Henry Hansen, Captain.
circa 1910
Wrecks
Box/Folder
1/28
213-214: Men and women posed on top of wreck of the tug Lorne
undated
1/28
215: Men near wreck of the tug Lorne
undated
1/28
216-217: Wrecks of the tug Lorne and sailing ship America
undated
1/28
218: Wrecks of the tug Lorne and sailing ship America with tugs Prosper and Tyee in background
undated
1/28
219: Figurehead on wreck of the sailing ship America
undated
1/28
220: Steamer Ohioan aground near Seal Rocks, San Francisco
undated
1/28
221: Remains of S.S. Islander near Juneau, Alaska
The steamship Islander of the Canadian Pacific Steam Navigation Co. Pacific sunk in 1901 after hitting an iceberg. Repeated salvage efforts have failed to yield strong boxes of gold bullion that were expected to be on board.
"S.S. Islander after being raised from bottom of sea after being under water about 25 years."
circa 1934
1/28
222: Buildings at Observation Point (now Prospect Point), Vancouver, near the site of the steamship Beaver's remains
The steamship Beaver, owned by the Hudson Bay Company, was run aground off Prospect Point, then called Observation Point, Vancouver, in 1888. The wreck site is currently used to train divers in underwater archaeology techniques.
undated
Cartes de visite
undated
Box/Folder
1/29
223-224: Captain Tug Wilson of the Tidal Wave
Vaughan's First Premium Photographic Gallery , San Francisco Runnels & Co. , San Francisco
"Captain [of] Tidal Wave-sailing between Port Madison [and] San Francisco"
undated
1/29
225-226: Captain Jeremiah Farmham of the Northwest
Vaughan's First Premium Photographic Gallery , San Francisco
circa late 1800s
1/29
227: Alec Wood, former captain of the West Seattle ferry
Theo. E. Peiser , Seattle (photographer)
circa 1880s
1/29
228: Wife of Captain McGuire of the bark Nonantum
Morse , San Francisco (photographer)
circa late 1800s
Miscellaneous
Box/Folder
1/30
229: Steamer Prosper towing 5 whales: 4 humpback and 1 sulphur bottom
1909
1/30
230: Sulphur bottom whale and 5 men on slip
1909
1/30
231-232: Unidentified lighthouse
Negatives ; 5"x7"
undated
1/30
233: Six people in canoe
Negative ; 5"x7"
undated

Photographic postcardsReturn to Top

Includes postcards written between Robert B. Ross and his family and friends

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/31
231-235: Sailing ships
5 postcards
Numbers 231-233: O. Beaton (photographer)
Includes bark Everett G. Griggs, the Horzogin Cecelie, and the barks St. Paul and Star of Finland
circa 1912; undated
1/31
236-240: Tugboats
5 postcards
Number 236: O. Beaton (photographer)
Includes the Tatoosh, the Pioneer, the Tyee and the Lorne.
"Tug Lorne--British tug and one of the Puget Sound Tugboat Cos. fleet. Wrecked on San Juan Island and later salved and repaired."
circa 1912; undated
1/31
241-249: Steamships
9 postcards
Numbers 241-242: Renfeld's Photo (photographer)
Includes the Harvard, the Northwestern, the H.B. Kennedy and two images of the Congress near Coos Bay during and after a fire on board. One image shows the Congress being towed by the tugs Tyee, Oneonta and Granger.
undated
Wrecks
Box/Folder
1/31
250: Wreck of steamer Santa Clara on Coos Bay Bar
Renfeld's Photo , Marshfield, Oregon (photographer)
1915 November 2
1/31
251: Wreck of the S.S.Czarina, Coos Bay
A.M. Prentiss , Marshfield, Oregon (photographer)
undated
1/31
252: Wreck of S.S. Mariposa near Bella Bella, B.C.
1915 October 8
1/31
253: Wreck of the Prince Rupert
1917 March 23
1/31
254: S.S. Edith sinking off Alaska coast
John E. Thwaites (photographer)
circa 1910s
Box/Folder
1/31
255: Tatoosh Island showing Cape Flattery lighthouse and cedar-planked Makah buildings
circa 1895
1/31
256-257: Panorama of Hong Kong
2 panoramas composed of 4 postcards each
undated

Albums, undatedReturn to Top

Albums of ship photographs, depicting sailing ships, tugs and steamers.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/1
258: Album 1
6 photographs 3.25" x 3.25"
Six photographs of sailing ships: the Santa Clara, Gatherer, and unidentified ships. The photographs were probably taken from a tugboat; the end of a tugboat is visible in one of the images.
undated
2/1
259: Album 2
34 photographs 4" x 5.5"
31 photographs of sailing ships,2 photographs of steamships, and 1 photograph of a tugboat. Includes sailing ships Highland, Griffiths, and Admiral and the steamer Victoria. Photographs probably taken from a tugboat.
undated
2/2
260: Album 3
48 photographs 3.5" x 3.5"
Sailing ships depicted include the Eclipse, Wm. J. Rotch, Occidental, Drenna, Lamorna, Okanogan, Nokomis, Spartan, Angerona, Eric, Tanner, Grant, Mayflint, Vidette, Glendoon, Trongate, Coryphene, Manila, Harry Morse, Colbert, Highland Light, Honoipu, Quickstep, J.M. Coleman and Imberhorn.
Tugs depicted include the J.E. Boyden, Wallula, and Puget Sound Tug Boat Co. tugs Pioneer, Sea Lion, Tacoma, and Holyoke.
Steamships depicted include the Victorian, Mayflower, Prosper, Bloemfontein, Angeles, Milos, Glenogil, Flyer, Sehome, Walla Walla, survey steamer Pathfinder, and transport ships Sheridan, Lawton and Victoria.
Other ships: hospital ship Iroquois.
Photographs probably taken from tugs, with tug or tow line visible in some
undated
2/2
261: Album 4
60 photographs 3.5" x 3.5"
Sailing ships depicted include the Inca, Wm. H. Smith, Courser, Highland Light, John A. Briggs, J.M. Griffith, Drenna (a German ship), St. Robert, Eric, Florence, Rickmers, and Colorado.
Tugs depicted include the Tyee, Walula and Puget Sound Tug Boat Co. tugs Pioneer and Tacoma.
Steamship depicted include the Prosper, Queen City, Victorian, Mayflower, Morgan City, Angeles, and Discovery.
Also includes images of Neah Bay; the Skagway waterfront showing the Pacific Coast Co. dock; Fort Wrangel; a view from Ross's home of a sandspit at Port Madison; people atop a large rock at Tracyton; men and horses on a logging road; people at a cabin; Crystal Springs; women and children with horses; a large house ("home, sweet home"); a horse and buggy on a dirt road; women and children on house steps ("coming home from school"); women posed on porches, on a dock, and in other outdoor scenes; and a cemetery.
Images of Port Madison depict the Port Madison Hotel, a Port Madison stable, cookhouse and mill, a cabin, and McClallam House in Port Madison. Two cyanotypes depict the Port Madison Post Office, Masonic Hall and a store; and a schoolhouse in Port Madison.
undated
2/3
262: Album 5
48 photographs
Sailing ships depicted include the Spartan, Reaper, Silo, Occidental, Okanogan, Expansion, Mermaid, Portland, Santa Clara, Gatherer, Meteor, Emilie, Abner Coburn, W.H. Smith, May Flint, Tanner, Helene, Standard, Honoipu, Maggie Russ, J.M. Griffith, News Boy, Battle Abbey, Admiral, Benicia, Isaac Reed, Robert R. Hind, Monitor, Brinhilda, General Banning, Inca, Florence and Fred D. Sander.
The Tug Tacoma is visible towing ships J.D. Peters, Pengwern, Expansion and Yola.
undated
2/4
263: Album 6
48 photographs
This album consists of the same photographs as Album 5, arranged in a different order.
undated
Container(s) Description Dates
Writings
Handwritten manuscripts, mostly signed by Robert B. Ross, with one signed by "Geo. Wish."
Box/Folder
3/1
264: "Record of the Tug Tacoma" by Robert B. Ross
4 pages
Ross notes at the end of the manuscript that he served as Engineer on the Tacoma for about 10 years.
undated
3/2
265: "Record of the Tug Tacoma" by Robert B. Ross
9 pages
undated
3/3
266: "About the Tug Tyee - the Grand Old Lady" by Robert R. Ross
7 pages
undated
3/4
267: Poem "S.S. Higho," probably by Robert B Ross
8 pages
undated
3/5
268: Drawing and account by Robert B. Ross of the S.S. Diamond Cement listing at a Baltimore wharf
2 pages
undated
3/6
269: "The Ross Family - Port Madison"
1 page
The top of the page reads "C.T. Conover history" and the page appears to be signed "Geo. Wish."
undated
3/9
272: Engineering notes
Includes a handwritten reference guide of formulas, and a list of distances traveled by the Diamond Cement from 1928-1940.
1919-1940
Correspondence
Box/Folder
3/8
270: Outgoing correspondence from Robert B. Ross as Chief Engineer of the S.S. Higho
1920-1921
Ephemera
Box/Folder
3/7
Postcard advertising Puget Sound Tug Boat Company
undated
3/7
Inspection certificate for tug Pioneer
1890
3/10
Invitations
Invitations to the launching of the Battleship Nebraska and the arrival of the U.S. Battleship Fleet from the tug Tyee.
1904; 1908
3/11
Flyers for a strike by the crew of the S.S. Diamond Cement in Baltimore
undated
3/12
Clippings
Includes Ross's retirement announcement; articles on early Puget Sound vessels; and articles on Einer Thomsen, captain of the Diamond Cement.
1935-1961

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Sailing ships--Washington (State)--Puget Sound--Photographs
  • Steamships--Washington (State)--Photographs
  • Tugboats--Washington (State)--Puget Sound--Photographs

Corporate Names

  • Puget Sound Tug Boat Company--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • Dall Island (Alaska)--Photographs
  • Port Madison (Bainbridge Island, Wash.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photograph albums
  • Photographic prints