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Collection on the Tregoning Boat Company, 1900-2010

Overview of the Collection

Title
Collection on the Tregoning Boat Company
Dates
1900-2010 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 box, (.42 cubic feet)
Collection Number
2010.17 (accession)
Summary
Photographs, papers, and magazines pertaining to the Tregoning Boat Company
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.
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Historical Note

The Tregoning Boat Company was originally established as the Proctor Boat Company in approximately 1900 by George R. Proctor. In 1904, Proctor sold the company to his brother-in-law Frank Tregoning, who renamed it the Frank Tregoning Boat Company. The company primarily built steel-hulled boats, but also designed and built yachts to order, including the Sans Souci II for D. G. Schmitz, which was later commissioned to serve in World War I. In 1907, the newly renamed Tregoning Boat Company moved from its original location on Elliott Avenue to a location on Seaview Avenue in Ballard. Tregoning’s best-selling boats were lifeboats which were used around the area and on all the Puget Sound ferries. In 1918, the Tregoning Sawmill opened in Ballard Beach, and in 1920, the Tregoning Sash and Door factory opened as well. The factory manufactured the windows and doors for the Olympic Hotel in Seattle and closed in 1926 after a large fire. Jim Tregoning, Frank’s son, took over the ownership of the company in 1936. Under him, Tregoning became the largest West Coast manufacturer of metal lifeboats during World War II. In 1946, the yard was destroyed by arson, including the building containing the wooden boat shop, a truck, a new 26’ boat, and other boats. Tregoning Boat Company became Tregoning Industries in 1945, and designed a new seine fishing boat with a mast design that soon became the industry standard. In 1952, Jim Tregoning began working in management at the Seattle Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corporation.

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Content Description

The collection includes 48 photographs (mostly modern copy prints and photocopies) of both the Tregoning family and boats built by the Tregoning Boat Company; one typed history of the Tregoning Boat Company and the Tregoning family; five articles pertaining to the Tregoning Boat Company; three Tregoning advertisements; two diagrams of Tregoning boats; an informational brochure on the Puget Sound ferry system; a collection of research materials (including computer printouts) pertaining to the company; and three boating magazines from 1928-1936.

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Use of the Collection

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 the Tregoning Boat Company, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

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Administrative Information

Location of Collection

3a.4.7

Acquisition Information

Gift of Frank J. Tregoning; received in April 2010.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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

  • Photographs and reproductions

    The photographs are comprised largely of modern copy prints, and also photocopies and a few vintage prints. All items listed below are modern copy prints unless otherwise noted.

    • Description: 1: James Tregoning

      Written on verso: Owner: Tregoning Boat Company 1936-1946, 1910-1973 (Jim) James Jonathan Tregoning

      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Folder 1
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 2: James Tregoning
      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Folder 1
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 3: Bill Tregoning
      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 1
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 4: Family near bus, possibly James Tregoning family
      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Folder 1
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 5: Frank Tregoning (1882-1937)
      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 1
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 6: William Tregoning and Frank Tregoning

      Photocopy of 3 snapshots on page.

      Dates: circa 1910
      Container: Folder 1
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 7: Anna Mary Tregoning

      Sister of William and James Tregoning

      Photocopy

      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 1
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 8: George Proctor and Frank Tregoning at N&S landing at Smith’s Cove

      Vintage print

      Dates: 1900
      Container: Folder 2
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 9: Proctor Boat Co. yard

      Vintage print

      Dates: circa 1903
      Container: Folder 2
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 10: Tregoning Boat Co. yard

      Photocopy

      Dates: circa 1914-1918
      Container: Folder 2
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 11: Tregoning Boat Co. and Tregoning Manufacturing Co. yard

      Photocopy

      Dates: circa 1920
      Container: Folder 2
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 12: Tregoning Boat Co. yard
      Dates: circa 1941-1945
      Container: Folder 2
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 13: Jim Tregoning and man at boat yard, Friday Harbor, Washington

      Accompanying note: “1959 fire, one building lost and boat that was in service was damaged”

      Vintage print

      Dates: 1959
      Container: Folder 2
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 14: Tregoning Boat Co. yard
      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 2
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 15: Tregoning life boat
      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 3
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 16-17: Men testing a Tregoning life boat Verso: “Note: hand power drive, no oars”

      Written on verso: Note: hand power drive, no oars

      Dates: circa 1940
      Container: Folder 3
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 18: Ship MV Garland with Tregoning life boats
      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 3
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 19: Ship W. T. Preston with Tregoning life boats on display at Anacortes Museum

      Color photograph

      Dates: 2010
      Container: Folder 3
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 20-24: Ship W. T. Preston with Tregoning life boat at Anacortes Museum

      Color photograph

      Dates: 2010
      Container: Folder 3
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 24: Truck hauling Tregoning life boats
      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 3
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 25-26: Sailing ship ‘Coral’ built by William Tregoning Boats, Bellingham, Washington

      Vintage print

      Dates: circa 1940s
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 27-28: Ships Castor and Polaris, built for Hoover Dam
      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 29: Two men in Tregoning steel outboard boat

      Vintage print

      Dates: circa 1930s
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 30: Power boat
      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 31: Shilshole Bay, 30’ work boat
      Dates: circa 1945
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 32: Tregoning Boat Company 14’ tender boat
      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 33: Tregoning Boat Company 24’ steel whale boat
      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 34: Tregoning Boat Company 16’ steel outboard

      2 modern copy prints on 1 sheet

      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 35: Truck hauling the St. Thomas to the Hoover Dam
      Dates: 1930
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 36: Anna Mary Tregoning on the St. Thomas at the Hoover Dam; men on ship (Watchman?)

      2 modern copy prints on 1 sheet

      Dates: 1934
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 37: Sans Souci II

      Photocopy

      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 38: M. S. New Deal

      Caption on photo: Tregoning & Carlson Shipbuilders, Wilmington, Calif

      Photocopy

      Dates: 1937
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 39: Philadelphia, naval ship served by the Sans Souci II in World War I

      Photocopy

      Dates: circa 1892
      Container: Folder 4
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 40: James Tregoning and unknown men with airplane

      On verso: Tregoning Boat Company airplane repair

      Dates: undated
      Container: Folder 5
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 41-47: 12 foot dory at the Center for Wooden Boats, built by Tregoning Boat Co. for J.G. McCurdy

      Modern color photographs

      Dates: circa 2010
      Container: Folder 5
      Location: Photographs and reproductions
    • Description: 48: Model lifeboat in museum

      Laser print on paper

      Dates: circa 2010
      Container: Folder 5
      Location: Photographs and reproductions

  • Assorted papers relating to company

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Boat & ship companies--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Boat & ship industry--Washington (State)--Seattle

Geographical Names

  • United States--Washington (State)--Seattle

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs


2010

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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