wasmhi1995_37.xml Guide to the James G. McCurdy II Photographs and Other Material 1889-1943 McCurdy (James G.) Photographs and Other Material Finding aid prepared by Julie Kerssen Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Museum of History & Industry © 2006
5933 6th Avenue South Seattle, WA 98108 Phone: 206-324-1126 URL: http://www.mohai.org
Finding aid encoded by ArchProteus 2006 Finding aid is in English Finding aid based on DACS ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard) Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library
5933 6th Avenue South Seattle, WA 98108 Phone: 206-324-1126 URL: http://www.mohai.org
1995.37 McCurdy, James G., 1923- James G. McCurdy II Photographs and Other Material 1889-1943 1 box 1 linear foot Photographs and publications related to the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company in Seattle. 14a.4.4 VII.b.2 (panoramas) 1a.3.17 (oversize photographs) Collection materials are in English. Biographical Note:

James G. McCurdy II was born in Seattle in 1923. He was a star football player at the University of Washington and went on to become chairman of the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company. His father, Horace Winslow ("H.W.") McCurdy (1899-1989), had earlier served as president and general manager of the company. Both McCurdys had a lifelong interest in maritime history.

Historical Note:

Founded in 1889, the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company was destined to become one of Seattle's most important companies. Whether under the title Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company or Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company, their hand can be seen in most major construction sites in the Pacific Northwest including Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California. In addition, they are responsible for many ships, including some of the Washington State ferries and many naval vessels during and after World War II.

Some of the highlights in the history of this company include: 1909-1910 Hydraulic Dredges construct Harbor Island, the largest man-made island for thirty-five years--second now only to Treasure Island in San Francisco. Harbor Island was the site of the company since the thirties. 1924 The Dexter Horton Building was constructed in Seattle. At fourteen stories, it was the largest reinforced concrete building in the United States west of Chicago. 1927 A steel cantilever bridge was constructed over the Snake River at Twin Falls, Idaho. 1939 Construction began on the Lake Washington Floating Bridge. WWII WWII provided a boom in contracts for the company with the Navy. In conjunction with their Canadian affiliate, the British Columbia Bridge and Dredging Company, they constructed Naval bases in Alaska at Sitka, Dutch Harbor and Kodiak. In addition the BCB & D built a Point of Embarkation at Prince Rupert for the Army.Eighty-two ships were constructed for the Navy as well, with a record fifteen (five of three different types) ships being delivered in one day. 1959 Company purchased by Lockheed.

More recent projects include the Grand Coulee Dam, much of the Interstate 5 bridges and roadways through Seattle, and the San Fernando Tunnel in California. They have continued to build ships ranging from dredges, tugs and ferries to mine sweepers, ice breakers and guided missile frigates, mostly for the Navy, Coast Guard and the states of Washington and Alaska.

The collection consists primarily of materials related to the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company. It includes industry publications as well as photographs of projects and employees. There are several articles and pamphlets about the Lake Washington floating bridge, which was constructed by the company. The collection also includes several sets of photos of employee activities and parties.

Oversized materials are stored apart from the rest of the collection and are described separately below.

View selections from the collection in MOHAI's online collections.

The collection is open to the public by appointment.

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.

James G. McCurdy II Photographs and Other Material, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

The collection was donated by James G. McCurdy II in 1995 and 2010.

Additional materials received from McCurdy in 2010 were accessioned as no. 2010.67 and added to the collection.

H.W. McCurdy Collection on the Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Co. (1955.970.500) and the Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company Photographs and Publications (1988.13) contain additional materials about this company.

 Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Co. -- Photographs Photographic prints Shipbuilding -- Washington (State) -- Photographs Dredging Ships and Shipping Seattle Photographs 1 1995.37.9 Pacific Builder and Engineer magazine 1940 July 6 1 1995.37.10 Lake Washington Floating Bridge materials (article from Civil Engineering magazine, 3 pamphlets) circa 1940 1 1995.37.11 Pioneering in Hydraulic Engineering book, compiled by N.C. Wilson 1950 1 1995.37.12 Hydraulic Dredging Since 1899 book, Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Company 1962 1 1995.37.13 Railway and Marine News magazines 1931 May and June 1 2010.67.5 The Cosmopolitan magazine 1899 June

Includes article "Marine Disasters on Pacific Shores" written by James G. McCurdy

 1 1995.37.14 Mercer Island Club Annual Yearbook 1940 1 1995.37.15 Photos (5" x 7"): Halloween party 1940 1 1995.37.16 Photos (5" x 7"): Christmas and birthday parties 1940 1 1995.37.17 Photos (8" x 10"): Employees 1941-1943 1 1995.37.18 Photo (7 1/2" x 11 1/2"): King County Courthouse circa 1915 1 1995.37.19 Photo albums: Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Co. projects including Harbor Island, University of Washington stadium, Smith Cove, shipbuilding circa 1917-1931 1 1995.37.20 Photo album: Associated Shipbuilders employee activities/parties circa 1917-1931 1 1995.37.21 Photo album: bridges, dredges, boats circa 1905 1 1995.37.23 Webster-Brinkley Co. data sheets undated 1 1995.37.24 Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Co. publications undated 1 2010.67.4 Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Co. ship launching brochures 1961-1965 1 1995.37.25 Bruneau project, Mountain Home, Idaho 1936-1937 1 1995.37.26 Water supply study, Twin Falls, Idaho 1936-1937 VII.b.2 1995.37.1 Photograph (8 3/4" x 36") of dredge OAKLAND dredging tidal basin in Oakland, California -- San Francisco Bridge Co. 1889 oversize VII.b.2 Boland of Tacoma 1995.37.2 Photograph (14" x 46") of four wooden ships being built at shipyard undated oversize VII.b.2 1995.37.3 Photograph (16" x 20", mounted) of Lake Washington Floating Concrete Bridge -- Pontoon Bridge Builders 1939-1940 oversize os box Jacoby, Twin Falls 1995.37.4 Photograph (8 1/2" x 16") of Idaho Falls Jerome Bridge undated oversize os box 1995.37.5 Photograph (9 1/4" x 21") of steam dredge PORTLAND undated oversize os box 1995.37.6 Photograph (9 1/4" x 21") of steam dredge TACOMA undated oversize os box 1995.37.7 Photograph (20" x 24", mounted) of Skagway Steel Arch, White Pass and Yukon Railway -- built by Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Co. undated oversize os box 1995.37.8 Photograph (20" x 24", mounted) of dredge PUGET SOUND, Lake Washington Ship Canal undated oversize os box 1995.37.22 Photograph (10" x 13.5", mounted) of group at banquet undated oversize