Alaska Steamship Company, Seattle, 1895-1971
By Michael L. Grace | March 10, 2010
Alaska Steamship Company, Seattle, 1895-1971
History of the Alaska Steamship Company – Cruising The Past
Regular monthly boat service from U.S. ports to Alaska began in 1867 following the purchase of Alaska from Russia. Occupation troops were dispatched and cargo and mail soon followed. By 1875 several ship lines were making the voyage up the Panhandle in spite of often inhospitable waters and a treacherous coastline. The first tourists began booking passage as reports of unparalleled scenery were increasingly publicized.
On August 3, 1894, Charles Peabody, Capt. George Roberts, Capt. Melville Nichols, George Lent, Frank E. Burns and Walter Oakes formed the Alaska Steamship Company which would eventually enjoy a near monopoly of freight and passenger service to Alaska.. This group of six men began gathering $30,000 by selling 300 shares of stock, at $100 each. Charles Peabody was named president of the company.
On Jan. 21, 1895, the Alaska Steamship Company was finalized. The first vessel purchased was the 140-foot steamer WILLAPA.
Sustaining the company’s growth was the completion of a railroad into the interior, encouraging mining activity for precious metals that brought both fortune-seekers and tourists. By 1905, activity shifted from the Juneau/Skagway area to Valdez/Cordova, then eventually to Nome, where Alaska Steamship was ready to capitalize on the bonanza by switching its ships accordingly. At the end of 1897, Charles Peabody reorganized the Alaska Steamship Co. and his fleet expanded rapidly as the Klondike gold stampede mounted. In 1898 the stockholders formed the Puget Sound Navigation Co. as an inland water subsidiary. That new company was registered in Nevada where corporate laws were more lenient. The Puget Sound routes were a natural place for the company to recycle some of its smaller original vessels as they became obsolete for the strenuous Alaska runs.
As the turn of the century was approaching, several events were causing tremendous increases in Southeast Alaskan marine travel: religious missions were being established, fish canneries were being built and gold had been discovered. The Inside Passage was a major route to overland staging areas for the gold fields.
In 1902, Peabody and his associates initiated through Puget Sound Navigation Co. a Port Townsend and Port Angeles to Victoria steamship route for both freight and passengers. Pacific Steamship Co. was caught napping as they had committed all their ships to the Klondike run, which was still running as the gold rush slowly subsided. The other possible competitor, Canadian Pacific Railway, initially declined to compete on the route, concentrating instead on their Empress ocean going sleek steamships that connected with their rail route across the Canadian Rockies and their Empress Hotels in Victoria and Vancouver. On May 2, 1903, the Alaska Steamship Co., purchased the controlling stock of La Conner Trading & Transportation Co. The new concern was initially named Inland Navigation Co. but as Puget Sound Navigation Co., the resulting company would become the biggest inland shipping company of Puget Sound. Charles Peabody controlled the majority of stock and he became president of the enlarged company. Soon afterwards, Peabody became chairman of the board.
In 1909, a group known as the Alaska Syndicate, with funds from J.P. Morgan and the Guggenheim Company, bought the Alaska Steamship Company so they could mine copper in the Wrangell Mountains. They merged the company with the Northwestern Steamship Co. Limited , keeping the Alaska Steamship Company name. The merger of the two companies just about gave them a monopoly in the Alaska shipping industry. They expanded the fleet into 18 ships and expanded service in Alaska from Ketchikan to Kotzebue. In 1912 Charles Peabody retired from Alaska Steamship Company and was replaced by S.W. Eccles of the Guggenheim Company.
In 1915, Kennecott Copper Company was formed and began acquiring stock from the Alaska Steamship Company.
The Jones Act, passed by Congress in 1920, helped the Alaska Steamship and the Pacific Steamship companies. The law prohibited shipping between any two United States ports in anything but American-built ships. Two Canadian shipping companies serving Southeast Alaska communities were forced out of the Alaska market. In the 1930s Alaska Steam purchased is long time rival, the Pacific Steamship Company. Responding to Alaskans complaints about irregular service and high rates, Congress passed the Intercoastal Shipping Act in 1933. It called for definite shipping schedules and approved, published cargo rates.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Alaska Steamship had a fleet of 16 vessels operating out of Seattle to Skagway, Seward and Nome. During World War II, the federal government took control of most U.S. registered ships for the war effort, including the ships of the Alaska Steamship Company and the company became an agent for the War Administration, was assigned its own ships and was given sixty others to manage.
It returned to peacetime operations under the ownership of Skinner and Eddy Corporation, Seattle, which purchased the Alaska Steamship in August 1944 for $4,290,000. During World War 2 five ships were lost.
After the war, the Alaska shipping industry changed. Only two major companies, Alaska Steamship Company and Northland Transportation Company served Alaska, both owned by the Skinner and Eddy Corporation in Washington. Before the war, 42 ships served Alaska; in 1948 only seven. The change was due to the end of federal subsidies, rising labour costs, and new competition from truckers and air carriers. The Alaska Steamship Company started to use tugs and barges and container ships. Tugs and barges could travel faster and operated with smaller crews 5 to 7 workers as compared to 30 to 40 on freighters. Containers could be trucked, lifted on and off, and trucked away, allowing faster loading.
The first passenger sailing out of Seattle was undertaken by ALASKA in January 1946. She was subsequently followed by the YUKON, ALEUTIAN, BARANOF and DENALI. Ports of call northbound were Ketchikan (two days), Juneau (three days) and Seward (five days), with occasional calls at Wrangell, Petersburg, Skagway, Sitka, Cordova, Valdez, Kodiak and Seldovia. Southbound, the steamers called at the same ports they stopped at heading north. All steamers had accommodation for over 200 passengers ranging from steerage to a deluxe cabin with private bath. It was during this period that the company decided to concentrate on tourism.
The Inside Passage to Alaska was a hazardous journey and Alaska Steamship was no stranger to its perils. On 4 February 1946 at 4 am during a blinding snowstorm and strong north easterly winds the YUKON ran aground near Cape Fairfield. Heavy seas prevented the launching of boats until daylight, by which time rescue vessels arrived to take off the frightened passengers and crew. Some years later another calamity was the collision of BARANOF with the Greek steamer Triton on 26 July 1952 near Nanaimo with the loss of two of the crew of the latter.
Many factors contributed to Alaska Steamship’s eventual termination of passenger service. Firstly, there were continued labour problems caused by longshoremen, seamen and stewards. Secondly, the arrival of an air service (partly subsidized by the Government) to Alaska took away potential passengers and freight bookings and thirdly was the end of charter privileges and subsidy payments.
The Alaska Steamship Company was facing insurmountable financial difficulties that even a new fleet of steamers could not remedy. On 6 July 1954 therefore Mr. D.E. Skinner the president of Alaska Steamship Company announced that his firm was moving out of the passenger business. The BARANOF was immediately laid up, the ALASKA sailed until August, the DENALI made the company’s last passenger sailing in September 1954, The ships were then sold off.
The Alaska Steamship Company now concentrated on the carriage of cargo but declining revenues, rising operation costs forced the Company to shut down in January 1971.
Topics: ALASKA STEAMSHIP LINES, STEAMSHIP LINES | No Comments »
SS UNITED STATES TO BE SCRAPPED.
By Michael L. Grace | March 8, 2010
SS UNITED STATES TO BE SCRAPPED.
The SS United States Conservancy says the SS United States, may soon be scrapped. It says the ship’s current owners, Genting Hong Kong through its subsidiary, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), are currently collecting bids from scrappers.
The SS United States was listed for sale in February, 2009. While NCL offered the Conservancy first right of refusal on the vessel’s sale, the Conservancy says it has not been in a financial position to purchase the ship outright. However, the Conservancy has been working diligently to lay the groundwork for a public-private partnership to save and sustain the transatlantic liner for generations to come.
It’s the Captain’s Dinner Night. And it is the one night that Judy Garland left her stateroom. Pictured: Sid Luff and his wife Judy Garland with a friend John Carlyle at right. 1956 1st Class Dining Room – SS UNITED STATES
The Conservancy understands that Genting and NCL are reluctant to continue covering the significant costs associated with maintaining the vessel in its current berth in Philadelphia. It adds that it appreciates the good care the vessel has received since its purchase in 2003 with the stated intention of returning the ship to seagoing service.
The Conservancy has begun discussions with NCL with the intent of covering some of the fees associated with maintaining the ship in Philadelphia so it can finalize plans for repurposing the ship as a stationary attraction at a large metropolitan waterfront.
Actor Burt Lancaster boards the SS UNITED STATES with family in the 1950s.
The Conservancy has launched a new “Save Our Ship” (SOS) national campaign. It is offering a “Plank Owner” certificate for tax-deductible donations of at least $25 via its new donor website: www.ssusplankowner.org.
“This is both a patriotic and a practical effort,” said Conservancy Executive Director Dan McSweeney, whose father emigrated from Scotland to America to serve as a crewmember aboard the vessel. “We’re absolutely committed to saving one of the most important symbols of America in the 20th century, but we’re also talking about creating hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs when this ship is refurbished and becomes a stationary attraction in a large U.S. city. We must save this irreplaceable American icon and continue the process of establishing a public-private partnership to re-purpose her.”
New York City Campaign Kick-off and Film Screening
A special screening of the award-winning American Public Television documentary, SS United States: Lady in Waiting, will be held at the National Academy Museum (1083 Fifth Avenue, at 89th Street in Manhattan) on Thursday, March 11th, 7 p.m., followed by a reception and call to action.
Topics: STEAMSHIP LINES, UNITED STATES LINE | No Comments »
SS UNITED STATES WILL BE SCRAPPED OR TURNED INTO A REEF ACCORDING TO SOURCES AT NCL
By Michael L. Grace | March 5, 2010
SS UNITED STATES – Waiting for her future in Philadelphia.
A bit of history that deserves a better ending – from today’s MARITIME PROFESSIONAL.
Rumor has it that Norwegian Carribean Line NCL is looking to scrap the SS United States. A more dignified end for her might be sinking her as a reef as she has been stripped of all asbestos. Doing this would make an interesting dive site and a great haven for all sorts of marine life. A shame to see such a technically advanced ship of her time scrapped. The original buyer (Hadley) would have been better off to crank her up and market her for what she was with some detuning of the plant. MarAd maintained her for years in a great state of readiness and the gov’t had many pipe dream projects for her, school ship, troop ship, hospital ship, etc. Let her go with dignity rather than send her up on the breakers beach. As for a restoration, money spent on the restoration could well fund a modern, no frills school ship for use by the state maritime academies. Better yet, how about a marine fuels and emmissions training and research center dedicated to the engineers who “kept the lights burning” on the Big U.
SS United States disembarking at Le Havre in 1964.
Topics: STEAMSHIP LINES | No Comments »
STEVE CHASE COLLECTION SAILS INTO AUCTION HISTORY TODAY AS THE STEAMSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA SELLS $330,000 WORTH OF POSTERS TO STAY “AFLOAT”!
By Michael L. Grace | March 5, 2010
STEVE CHASE COLLECTION SAILS INTO AUCTION HISTORY TODAY AS THE STEAMSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA SELLS $330,000 WORTH OF POSTERS TO STAY “AFLOAT”!
Steve Chase, famous designer and philanthropist, gave the collection to the SSHSA as he was dying of AIDS. Chase believed the collection would never be split up. The SSHSA now has a policy of deaccessioning. Chase gave millions to various charities.
The 16th annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards took place last Saturday in Palm Springs at a major star studded event – click here. Betty Ford, Ted Kennedy and Archbishop Desmond Tutu were past honorees.
Chase was dishonored by the SSHSA ant its trustees in the sale today to make up what is clearly a major short fall as indicated by the $200,000 loss. Chase had given the posters while dying of AIDS believing they would be kept intact. His executors completed the deal and failed to make it restricted. Chase thought the collection he had compiled since a young man would never be auctioned off to pay “the rent” of the moribund group. The SSHSA reported a $200,000 loss, $500,000 expenses and their endowment was under 1 million in 2008. Since the SSHSA raises money in RI and California – complaints have been filed with the Attorney General in both states regarding the situation at SSHSA. Besides financials of the SSHSA 2008 990 Tax Return, questions are being asked about the current President and a Trustee. According to newspaper articles and websites linked below, they were involved in another “Steamboat” group that spent $3 Million Dollars of Tax Payer money, went bankrupt, after fund raising scandals.
Topics: STEAMSHIP LINES | 4 Comments »
SOS SS UNITED STATES – IS THE FAMED LINER HEADING TO THE SCRAP YARDS?
By Michael L. Grace | March 3, 2010
The SS United States sits indefinitely at a pier in Philadelphia, but she was designed to move fast: Her knifelike prow could cut through the ocean at 44 knots. Inset: The luxury liner crossing the Atlantic in the 1960s.
SOS FOR THE SS UNITED STATES – PLEASE HELP SAVE HER! Will the famed liner survive 2010?
Walt Disney signing an autograph for a young fan aboard the SS United States during a 1950s crossing from New York to Europe. Both Disney and the boy are wearing party hats – it was probably Captain’s night aboard the famous vessel. The SS United States held the trans-Atlantic speed record.
Philadelphia lunching Ikea shoppers have a view of the SS United States, at Pier 82 since 1996.
CRUISE SHIP HISTORY: SOS for faded liner – SOS for faded liner – Is the SS United States headed for the scrap yards or will Philadelphia save her?
Bill Clinton was in his first term as president when the peeling hulk of the SS United States was towed up the Delaware River for temporary moorage. The massive ocean liner has now idled in the shadow of the Walt Whitman Bridge for so long that its 12-story stacks are virtually part of Philadelphia’s skyline, hardly noticed by the thousands who drive overhead each day.
But the once-grand ship could soon slip away as quietly as it arrived.
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FAMOUS LINER RMS QUEEN MARY IS GETTING A LONG-OVERDUE MAKEOVER. HUGO MARTIN OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES REPORTS.
By Michael L. Grace | March 3, 2010
Social History: The Los Angeles Times reports in a great story by Hugo Martin the RMS Queen Mary is getting a long-overdue makeover. The company that leases the cruise ship turned floating hotel from the city of Long Beach is investing $5 million to upgrade rooms and restaurants.
The RMS Queen Mary, famed Cunard liner, which Long Beach purchased in 1967, is getting long-overdue upgrades. So far, 75 of the 314 hotel rooms and two of its three restaurants have been renovated. Cruise ship seen behind the RMS Queen Mary is docking at Carnival Cruises terminal in Long Beach. (Courtesy Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
LOS ANGELES TIMES – By Hugo Martín – 9:15 PM PST, March 2, 2010
The Queen has seen better days.
A makeover has been long overdue for the venerable Queen Mary, the retired cruise ship turned tourist attraction and hotel docked in Long Beach Harbor since 1967.
But repairs to the city-owned ship have been delayed because of financial crisis and organizational wrangling.
THE QUEEN MARY IN SERVICE – TRANS-ATLANTIC – PHOTOS OF THIS GREAT LINER FROM 1939 UNTIL THE LATE 1960s – WHEN SHE WAS RETIRED FROM CUNARD LINE SERVICE.
THE FIRST CLASS SMOKING ROOM
Topics: STEAMSHIP LINES | No Comments »
S.S. Normandie Sails into Auction History. Steamship Historical Society of America sells off famous poster collection to “stay afloat”!
By Michael L. Grace | March 2, 2010
S.S. Normandie Sails into Auction History. Providence based Steamship Historical Society of America sells off famous poster collection to “stay afloat” – after reporting $200,000 loss and $500,000 in expenses.
The Chase Collection of Ocean Liner Posters will be auctioned off Thursday at the Swan Auction Galleries in New York.
Steve Chase, famous designer and philanthropist, gave the collection to the SSHSA as he was dying of AIDS. Chase believed the collection would never be split up. It appears the current policies of the SSHSA is deaccessioning. Chase gave millions to various charities.
The 16th annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards took place last Saturday in Palm Springs at a major star studded event – click here. Betty Ford, Ted Kennedy and Archbishop Desmond Tutu were past honorees.
Chase is being dishonored by the SSHSA ant its trustees in this sale to make up clearly major short falls as indicated by the $200,000 loss. Chase had given the posters while dying of AIDS believing they would be kept intact. His executors completed the deal and failed to make it restricted. Chase thought the collection he had compiled since a young man would never be auctioned off to pay “the rent” of the moribund group.
Topics: STEAMSHIP LINES | 4 Comments »
S.S. LA MARSEILLAISE – Messageries Maritimes’ “Orient & Indo China” route… from Saigon to the depths of Grenada…
By Michael L. Grace | March 2, 2010
Messageries Maritimes’ flag-ship ended up like mini-Titanic… read on…
MM ship leaving Saigon
Dating from 1862, Messageries Maritimes’ “Orient & Indo China” route was its premier route, serving as it did the Jewel in France’s Crown in the East: Indo-China.
Saigon during the golden age before the endless and useless war…
Saigon was always MM’s second homeport centred on la maison aux dragons, the residence of the general agency there.
S.S. La Marseillaise – on maiden voyage…
Topics: STEAMSHIP LINES | Comments Off
A HISTORY OF SHIPBOARD EDUCATION – MV EXPLORER – 1910 TO 2010
By Michael L. Grace | February 25, 2010
Holland-America Line History – In 1926 the University World Cruise set out from the New York harbor (Hoboken) aboard the Holland America Line Ryndam for a seven month odyssey that visited 35 countries
A History of Shipboard Education
Click Here To Visit the SEMESTER AT SEA ORGANIZATION
Nearly 100 years ago, the idea for a floating university that would travel the world became the passionate pursuit of James Edwin Lough, a psychology professor at New York University. He believed changes needed to be made to traditional teaching methods of American universities and soon became a leader in a new educational movement. Travel and first-hand experience, he felt, must be part of every scholar’s education and he set out to find others who shared this vision.
Topics: CRUISING THE PAST VIDEOS, Cruise History, Cruise Memorabilia | Comments Off
SS ATLANTIC – AMERICAN BANNER LINES – From a failed pioneering tourist liner to a celebrated university at sea.
By Michael L. Grace | February 23, 2010
Cruise History – Steamship History – SS ATLANTIC – AMERICAN BANNER LINES – From a failed pioneering tourist liner to a celebrated university at sea.
American Banner Lines 1957-1958
Arnold Bernstein chartered in the summer of 1948 a passenger ship the CONTINENTAL (ex ANCON of 1902) for four round voyages from New York to Plymouth and Antwerp. In 1950-1951 Arnold Bernstein was involved with the Incres Line and their ship the EUROPA (ex MONGOLIA of 1923). She spent two seasons running between New York, Plymouth and Antwerp. After these experiences he wanted to run an economy passenger and cargo service from New York to Antwerp and Rotterdam.
Topics: AMERICAN BANNER LINES | 1 Comment »
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