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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 Robert Moran's metal lathe, ca. 1882-1906

Robert Moran's metal lathe, ca. 1882-1906

Robert Moran was an engineer, ship builder and Seattle city mayor. He arrived in Seattle in 1875 with only fifty dollars and went on to establish the Moran Brothers shipyard in 1889 with his brother Peter, specializing in both wooden and steel designs.
ID Number:1955.970.482
Date:Circa 1882
Image of Figurehead of woman from Iolanda, 1908

Figurehead of woman from Iolanda, 1908

This figurehead is one of several in the MOHAI collection donated by Horace W. McCurdy. McCurdy (1899-1989), born in Port Townsend, was a shipbuilder, bridge builder, civic leader, native Washingtonian, and prolific maritime collector. Both the Lake Washington Floating Bridge and the Hood Canal Bridge were built by his firm, Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging. He was instrumental in the…
ID Number:1955.970.485
Date:1908
Image of Painting of the Seattle waterfront with Indigenous canoes by P.A. Morgan, ca. 1880

Painting of the Seattle waterfront with Indigenous canoes by P.A. Morgan, ca. 1880

This is a finely executed painting of the Seattle waterfront in the late 1800s. The artist, P.A. Morgan was active in Seattle at this time but is relatively unknown.
ID Number:1957.1281.2
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Oil painting of canoes at Ballast Island by John Fery, 1925-1935

Oil painting of canoes at Ballast Island by John Fery, 1925-1935

Artist John Fery (1859-1934) was born in Austria and immigrated to the United States where he eventually settle in Seattle. During his career, Fery painted many scenes under contract for the Great Northern Railway. He based this waterfront scene on a historical photograph. Ballast Island, as the name implies, was where ships coming into the bay would dump their ballast.…
ID Number:1957.1282.7
Date:1925-1935
Image of Fourth (4th) order light from West Point Light Station, Discovery Park, 1881-1926

Fourth (4th) order light from West Point Light Station, Discovery Park, 1881-1926

The West Point Light Station was the first manned light station on Puget Sound. It began operation in 1881 and, though it is automatic today, it is still in use in its Discovery Park location, which now includes a visitor center.
ID Number:1958.2153.1
Date:1881-1926
Image of Spike from Imperial Russian Navy sidewheel gunboat, the POLITKOFSKY, ca. 1850s

Spike from Imperial Russian Navy sidewheel gunboat, the POLITKOFSKY, ca. 1850s

Built by the Russians in Sitka, the POLITKOFSKY came under United States ownership in 1867 when Russian Alaska was sold to the US. The gunboat was then sold into civilian service as a tugboat, Polly, working the northwest coast of North America until 1896. It was then converted to a schooner barge and carried eager gold seekers to Alaska during…
ID Number:1959.1623.1
Date:Circa 1850
Image of Spike from Imperial Russian Navy sidewheel gunboat, the POLITKOFSKY, ca. 1850s

Spike from Imperial Russian Navy sidewheel gunboat, the POLITKOFSKY, ca. 1850s

Built by the Russians in Sitka, the POLITKOFSKY came under United States ownership in 1867 when Russian Alaska was sold to the US. The gunboat was then sold into civilian service as a tugboat, Polly, working the northwest coast of North America until 1896. It was then converted to a schooner barge and carried eager gold seekers to Alaska during…
ID Number:1959.1623.2
Date:Circa 1850
Image of Slo-Mo-Shun IV hydroplane, built in 1929 and rebuilt in 1956

Slo-Mo-Shun IV hydroplane, built in 1929 and rebuilt in 1956

The Slo-Mo-Shun IV hydroplane (rebuilt with a model of the engine) brought unlimited hydroplane racing to Seattle with her Gold Cup win. The unlimited hydroplane is an example of aerodynamic design in boat building, and it is best remembered by the estimated 200,000 exhilarated spectators on Lake Washington's shoreline as it sped to a new world record in the 1951…
ID Number:1959.1701
Date:1929
Image of Ashtray made from the engine room bell of the USS OREGON, ca. 1893

Ashtray made from the engine room bell of the USS OREGON, ca. 1893

The USS OREGON battleship launched in 1893 for the United States Navy and served during the Spanish-American War (1898), the Philippine-American War (1899-1902), and WWI before she was decommissioned in 1919. In 1925, she was lent to the state of Oregon to serve as a floating monument and museum in Portland. Her stripped hulk was later used as an ammunition…
ID Number:1959.1816.3
Date:Circa 1893
Image of Diver's helmet and shoulder gear used by Henry Finch, 1890 - 1920

Diver's helmet and shoulder gear used by Henry Finch, 1890 - 1920

This copper and brass diver’s helmet relied on its weight (about 40 lbs) to keep the diver’s body submerged. The helmet was made by A.M. Morse & Sons of Boston, and used by Henry Finch, who dove in Elliot Bay and was known nationally in his time as the “King of Divers” because of his diving expertise and knowledge about…
ID Number:1959.1816.7
Date:1890-1920
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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.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA, 98109
Phone: 206 324 1126
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