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Alaska Steamship Company Photographs of Dock and Harbors, 1939-1971

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Alaska Steamship Co
Title
Alaska Steamship Company Photographs of Dock and Harbors
Dates
1939-1971 (inclusive)
1951-1966 (bulk)
Quantity
978 photographic prints (2 boxes)
Collection Number
PH0646
Summary
Photographs of harbors, docks, and steamships in Alaska and Washington State.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Historical Note

The Alaskan shipping industry began to grow in the late 1800s with the expansion of fishing and cannery activities. As a result, there was a dramatic increase in the need for transportation of other products to and from the lower 48 states. In 1894, six men, recognizing this need, incorporated; they gathered $30,000 by selling 300 shares at $100 each, and then set about scouting for a ship to begin hauling. They found and purchased the Willapa , which could carry passengers as well as freight. Their timing could not have been better; soon after the Alaska Steamship Company (ASC) opened for business, Alaska began to experience major economic benefits resulting from the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897. In addition to fish products, ASC began hauling mining equipment, dog sleds, cattle, and miscellaneous supplies.

The company began by servicing Southeast Alaska, running only between Skagway and Seattle. Another shipping company, the Northwest Steamship Company, had organized the northern route as a result of the Nome gold strike in 1900, servicing Valdez, Cook Inlet, and the Bering Sea ports. A third party, the Guggenheim Company, bought out both ASC and the Northern Steamship Co., keeping the ASC name. They expanded the fleet into 18 ships and expanded service to all Alaskan ports from Ketchikan to Kotzebue.

For the next quarter of a century, ASC relied on copper from the Kennecot mines, gold, and salmon for backhauls from northern cities to the lower 48 states. By 1938, the copper mine had closed and the gold rush had subsided. With backhauls now significantly reduced, the Alaskan shipping industry was severely impacted. In addition, the much relied-upon fishing industry was only seasonal. The one-way haul was one of the great problems of the Alaska run; the other problem was the weather. Ships were constantly threatened by fierce Alaskan weather patterns.

Eventually, the Kennecot Company acquired controlling interest from Guggenheim Company. In 1944, G.W. Skinner of Seattle purchased all interests and retained the management identified with the Alaska Steamship Company for the next several years.

The ASC joined the war effort in 1942, losing five ships in various campaigns. In 1953, they expanded into container service. The holds of the vessels were paved to accommodate fork lifts. New masts were engineered to lift massive vans. New generators were installed to provide power for van refers (refrigerated vans) and heater equipment. Containerization was recognized as the most significant development in ocean transport since the steam engine. There was less damage to freight, less pilfering, and labor costs were significantly reduced as there was no more piece by piece handling of cargo.

In 1954, the company ceased passenger operations due to high costs of labor and union standards. By then, ASC had established itself as a pioneer in containerization. At one point, the company pumped $11 million into the economy by employing dockworkers, ship workers, and stevedores, hauling freight, and operating ship and dock facilities. However, because of increased fuel and insurance costs, increased competition from barges, ferries, and tugboats, and continual union demands, the Alaska Steamship Company ceased operations in 1971.

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Content Description

The collection includes 978 black-and-white photographs of docks, chiefly in cities in Alaska but also in Washington State. The photographs primarily show operational docks, newly constructed docks, damage to docks, pilings, and docked ships; also included are views of canneries, harbors, and cities.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Donor: Mr. McAllister, Alaska Steamship Company, 1971.

Processing Note

Processed by Elizabeth Parks, 2004.

Photographs are pasted on pages which were removed from three-ring binders; the original order of the pages was retained.

Related Materials

Also available in the repository are the Alaska Steamship Company Records (Accessions 1585 and 1566), a collection of pamphlets and various maps issued by the company.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

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

  • Adak, Alaska

    • Description: Cargo handling on dock
      Dates: 1963-1969
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 1a-d
      Location: Adak, Alaska

  • Alitak, Alaska

    • Description: Dock views and cannery, Butler warehouse, S.S. Tonsina in port
      Dates: 1962-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 2a-d
      Location: Alitak, Alaska

  • Anacortes, Washington

  • Anchorage, Alaska

    • Description: Alaska Freight Lines operations at Anchorage

      Municipal dock, discharge operations, and views of "knot" ship at dock.

      Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 9a-13b
      Location: Anchorage, Alaska

  • Bellingham, Washington

    • Description: Bellingham South Terminal and harbor; ships and Pacific American Fisheries (PAF) building and dock
      Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 14a-16d
      Location: Bellingham, Washington

  • Bethel, Alaska

    • Description: Harlan Eggleston's wife and barges at Bethel dock
      Dates: 1967
      Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 17a-18c
      Location: Bethel, Alaska

  • Blaine, Washington

    • Description: Alaska Packers Dock, Semiahmoo Bay
      Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Item 19a-20d
      Location: Blaine, Washington

  • Captain's Bay, Alaska

    • Description: Dock damage and shipping operations

      Dock damaged by Iliamna, Fortuna in harbor, and San Juan Cannery.

      Dates: 1965-1969
      Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Item 21a-27a
      Location: Captain's Bay, Alaska

  • Chatham, Alaska

    • Description: Chatham Cannery and harbor

      M.S. Susitna, new fish house, and fish elevator.

      Dates: 1967
      Container: Box/Folder 1/9, Item 28a-31b
      Location: Chatham, Alaska

  • Chena, Alaska

    • Description: Fishing vessel and dock
      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1/10, Item 32a-c
      Location: Chena, Alaska

  • Chignik, Alaska

    • Description: APA Dock and harbor
      Dates: 1962
      Container: Box/Folder 1/11, Item 33a-37e
      Location: Chignik, Alaska

  • Cook Inlet, Nikiski, Alaska

    • Description: Newspaper article "Pipeline Message Marks Beginning of Oil Flow" with photograph of dock built to facilitate oil transport
      Dates: 1960
      Container: Box/Folder 1/12, Item 38a
      Location: Cook Inlet, Nikiski, Alaska

  • Cold Bay, Alaska

    • Description: Cold Bay Dock with damage, causeway to beach

      S.S. Chena, Iliamna.

      Dates: 1960
      Container: Box/Folder 1/13, Item 39a-41d
      Location: Cold Bay, Alaska

  • Cordova, Alaska

    • Description: Harbor views, Cordova Municipal Dock, state ferry Tustumena at dock
      Dates: 1967-1969
      Container: Box/Folder 1/14, Item 42a-47f
      Location: Cordova, Alaska

  • Crab Bay, Alaska

    • Description: Dock from approaching fishing vessel
      Dates: 1939
      Container: Box/Folder 1/15, Item 48a
      Location: Crab Bay, Alaska

  • Dutch Harbor, Alaska

    • Description: North, Ballyhoo, and Standard Oil Docks

      Views of dock damage and vessels in port: Tatalina, S.S. Chena, Iliamna.

      Dates: 1965-1969
      Container: Box/Folder 1/16, Item 49a-56c
      Location: Dutch Harbor, Alaska

  • Excursion Inlet, Alaska

    • Description: Aerial views of Excursion Inlet, Barge Landing, dock, and piling damage
      Dates: 1962-1968
      Container: Box/Folder 1/17, Item 57a-60d
      Location: Excursion Inlet, Alaska

  • False Pass, Alaska

    • Description: False Pass: moored ships S.S.Chena and Fortuna and dock and piling damage
      Dates: 1962-1969
      Container: Box/Folder 1/18, Item 61a-66a
      Location: False Pass, Alaska

  • Haines, Alaska

    • Description: Haines City Dock, Lutak Dock

      Aerial views and close-ups of piling damage and new dock under construction at Haines; Fortuna and M.S. Susitna in port

      Dates: 1952-1967
      Container: Box/Folder 1/19, Item 67a-81a
      Location: Haines, Alaska

  • Hawk Inlet, Alaska

    • Description: Dock and harbor views

      Fish elevator and hoist, Coastal Rambler, Fortuna.

      Dates: 1951-1970
      Container: Box/Folder 1/20 , Item 82a-85c
      Location: Hawk Inlet, Alaska

  • Homer, Alaska

    • Description: Homer harbor, old pilings, new dock (1965), and S.S. Tatalina
      Dates: 1952-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 1/21, Item 86a-89e
      Location: Homer, Alaska

  • Hoonah, Alaska

    • Description: Nadina in port
      Dates: 1953
      Container: Box/Folder 1/22, Item 90a-d
      Location: Hoonah, Alaska

  • Hydaburg, Alaska

    • Description: Harbor, Coastal Rambler in port
      Dates: 1951-1952
      Container: Box/Folder 1/23, Item 91a-92a
      Location: Hydaburg, Alaska

  • Juneau, Alaska

    • Description: Dock views, harbor businesses
      Dates: 1952-1967
      Container: Box/Folder 1/24, Item 93a-100f
      Location: Juneau, Alaska

  • Kake, Alaska

    • Description: Dock and pilings, M.S. Susitna
      Dates: 1962-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1/25, Item 101a-102e
      Location: Kake, Alaska

  • Ketchikan, Alaska

    • Description: Ketchikan harbor docks and aerial views of town and docks
      Dates: 1962-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1/26, Item 103a-121d
      Location: Ketchikan, Alaska

  • King Cove, Alaska

    • Description: Views of harbor, S.S. Chena andTatalina in port
      Dates: 1953-1970
      Container: Box/Folder 1/27, Item 122a-127c
      Location: King Cove, Alaska

  • Kenai, Alaska

    • Description: Kenai barge operations
      Dates: 1955
      Container: Box/Folder 1/28, Item 128a-c
      Location: Kenai, Alaska

  • Klawock, Alaska

    • Description: Klawock harbor, dock, Coastal Rambler
      Dates: 1951-1967
      Container: Box/Folder 1/29, Item 129a-e
      Location: Klawock, Alaska

  • Kodiak, Alaska

    • Description: Aerial views of city, dock, van staging area, and Coastal Monarch and Iliamna in port
      Dates: 1947-1969
      Container: Box/Folder 1/30, Item 130a-143f
      Location: Kodiak, Alaska

  • Letnikof Cove, Alaska

    • Description: Harbor views, dock and pilings
      Dates: 1954-1962
      Container: Box/Folder 1/31, Item 144a-148a
      Location: Letnikof Cove, Alaska

  • Lutak Inlet, Alaska

    • Description: Harbor views in winter, ferry landing, Lutak Inlet Dock
      Dates: 1954-1955
      Container: Box/Folder 1/32, Item 149a-152b
      Location: Lutak Inlet, Alaska

  • Metlakatla, Alaska

    • Description: Aerial view of harbor and city, harbor, dock and pilings
      Dates: 1962-1967
      Container: Box/Folder 1/33, Item 153a-156a
      Location: Metlakatla, Alaska

  • Moser Bay, Alaska

    • Description: Moser Bay dock
      Container: Box/Folder 1/34, Item 157a
      Location: Moser Bay, Alaska

  • Oduna, Alaska

    • Description: Dock views
      Dates: 1971
      Container: Box/Folder 1/35, Item 158a-c
      Location: Oduna, Alaska

  • Orca, Alaska

    • Description: Dock views
      Dates: 1962-1967
      Container: Box/Folder 1/36, Item 159a-d
      Location: Orca, Alaska

  • Ouzinkie, Alaska

    • Description: Ouzinkie Seafoods dock, aerial view of harbor
      Dates: 1967
      Container: Box/Folder 1/37, Item 160a-161a
      Location: Ouzinkie, Alaska

  • Petersburg, Alaska

    • Description: Dock and pilings
      Dates: 1962
      Container: Box/Folder 1/38, Item 162a-163f
      Location: Petersburg, Alaska

  • Port Bailey, Alaska

    • Description: Harbor and dock views, Tanana
      Dates: 1962-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1/39, Item 164a-166c
      Location: Port Bailey, Alaska

  • Port Nellie Juan, Alaska

  • Port San Juan, Alaska

    • Description: Harbor and dock views
      Dates: 1962
      Container: Box/Folder 1/41, Item 168a-f
      Location: Port San Juan, Alaska

  • Port Vita, Alaska

    • Description: Harbor view
      Dates: 1939
      Container: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 169a
      Location: Port Vita, Alaska

  • Port Wakefield-Raspberry Strait, Alaska

  • Port Williams, Alaska

    • Description: Harbor, dock and pilings
      Dates: 1962
      Container: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 175a-176c
      Location: Port Williams, Alaska

  • Pulney Point, Alaska

    • Description: Harbor views, S.S. Columbia
      Dates: 1942
      Container: Box/Folder 2/4, Item 177a-178a
      Location: Pulney Point, Alaska

  • Sand Point, Alaska

    • Description: Aerial view of harbor and town, harbor and dock views, and dock damage
      Dates: 1962-1967
      Container: Box/Folder 2/5, Item 179a-184d
      Location: Sand Point, Alaska

  • Seldovia, Alaska

    • Description: Dock and pilings, harbor views

      Dock damage, S.S. Tatalina, and Anderson dock.

      Dates: 1947-1962
      Container: Box/Folder 2/6, Item 185a-189a
      Location: Seldovia, Alaska

  • Seward, Alaska

    • Description: Various docks, construction
      Dates: 1951-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 2/7, Item 190a-208a
      Location: Seward, Alaska

  • Shearwater Bay, Alaska

  • Sitka, Alaska

    • Description: Aerial views of harbor and city, various docks
      Dates: 1966
      Container: Box/Folder 2/9, Item 210a-215a
      Location: Sitka, Alaska

  • Skookumchuck, Alaska

    • Description: Bay view
      Dates: 1967
      Container: Box/Folder 2/10, Item 216a
      Location: Skookumchuck, Alaska

  • Snug Harbor, Alaska

    • Description: Harbor views
      Dates: 1962
      Container: Box/Folder 2/11, Item 217a-b
      Location: Snug Harbor, Alaska

  • Squaw Harbor, Alaska

    • Description: Aerial views of harbor and town, S.S. Chena
      Dates: 1964-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 2/12, Item 218a-222a
      Location: Squaw Harbor, Alaska

  • St. George Island, Alaska

    • Description: Skinboats, S.S. Tatalina
      Dates: 1966
      Container: Box/Folder 2/13, Item 223a-d
      Location: St. George Island, Alaska

  • St. Paul Island, Alaska

    • Description: Loading mike boats, S.S. Tatalina
      Dates: 1966
      Container: Box/Folder 2/14, Item 224a-225d
      Location: St. Paul Island, Alaska

  • Tenakee, Alaska

    • Description: Dock and pilings
      Container: Box/Folder 2/15, Item 226a-b
      Location: Tenakee, Alaska

  • Uganik, Alaska

    • Description: Dock and harbor views
      Dates: 1939-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 2/16, Item 227a-228c
      Location: Uganik, Alaska

  • Uyak, Alaska

    • Description: New dock
      Dates: 1965
      Container: Box/Folder 2/17, Item 229a
      Location: Uyak, Alaska

  • Valdez, Alaska

    • Description: City dock, ferry landing, ships in port

      Alaska State Ferry Bartlett, Iliamna, S.S. Nordnes, S.S. Denali.

      Dates: 1953-1969
      Container: Box/Folder 2/18, Item 230a-248c
      Location: Valdez, Alaska

  • Ward's Cove, Alaska

    • Description: Dock and pilings, Fortuna
      Dates: 1962-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 2/19, Item 249a-251b
      Location: Ward's Cove, Alaska

  • Wrangell Dock, Alaska

    • Description: Views of dock and pilings, warehouse
      Dates: 1951-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 2/20, Item 252a-260d
      Location: Wrangell Dock, Alaska

  • Waterfall, Alaska

    • Description: Dock views
      Dates: 1962-1967
      Container: Box/Folder 2/21, Item 261a-265d
      Location: Waterfall, Alaska

  • Whittier, Alaska

    • Description: Plowing snow off dock, unloading containers with crane
      Dates: 1965
      Container: Box/Folder 2/22, Item 266a-269b
      Location: Whittier, Alaska

  • Yakutat, Alaska

    • Description: Dock and pilings
      Dates: 1962-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 2/23, Item 270a-273a
      Location: Yakutat, Alaska

  • Zachar Bay, Alaska

    • Description: Ship in harbor
      Dates: 1939
      Container: Box/Folder 2/24, Item 274a-b
      Location: Zachar Bay, Alaska

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Canneries--Alaska--Photographs
  • Docks--Alaska--Photographs
  • Harbors--Alaska--Photographs
  • Steamboats--Alaska--Photographs
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Geographical Names

  • Alaska--Photographs
  • Washington (State)--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographic prints


2005 (Last modified: 11/27/2017)

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