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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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133 results for: Maritime

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Image of Thacher's calculating instrument (cylindrical slide rule) by Keuffel & Esser, 1881

Thacher's calculating instrument (cylindrical slide rule) by Keuffel & Esser, 1881

Edwin Thacher, a civil engineer, invented this device in 1881. It is a mechanical cylindrical slide rule designed for rapid and accurate calculations, particularly for engineers and architects. The inner cylinder slides and rotates freely inside the outer cage-like cylinder. The measurements and scales are more accurate than standard slide rules, and the metal construction protects it from moisture and…
ID Number:2026.5.1
Date:1881
Image of

"Ma-Chiong" set from the Admiral Oriental Line, ca. 1923

The Admiral Line (also American Mail Line, and later Admiral Oriental Line) was a steamship company based in Seattle which operated five ocean liners sailing from Seattle to Japan and China. This Ma-Chiong set was distributed to passengers during the 11-day trip from Seattle to Asia. “Ma-Chiong” appears to be a different transliteration of the Chinese game Mahjong.
ID Number:2026.6.1
Date:Circa 1923
Image of Life ring from the ferry Kalakala, ca. 1930s

Life ring from the ferry Kalakala, ca. 1930s

The Kalakala, in operation on Puget Sound from 1935-1967, was designed and built to be fast, to look "futuristic", to showcase revolutionary construction technologies, and to express a buoyant confidence in Seattle's irrepressible progress even in the depths of the Great Depression.
ID Number:2026.13.1
Date:Circa 1930-1940
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Land Acknowledgement

MOHAI stands on the historic and contemporary lands and shores of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other Coast Salish Nations. We acknowledge the forced displacement of Native Communities from this land while honoring the endurance of the Duwamish people who still live here.
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