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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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593 results for: Maritime

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Image of Makah whale hunters landing their canoe at Neah Bay, 1900
Photograph

Makah whale hunters landing their canoe at Neah Bay, 1900

The Makah people of the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula refer to themselves as Kwih-dich-chuh-ahtx, which translates roughly to "the people who live by the rocks and seagulls." The early Makah were skilled mariners, using several types of canoes which they carved from western red cedar for various purposes - war, whaling, fishing, sealing, carrying cargo, and long voyages.…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.122
Date:1900
Image of Boats in Elliott Bay, Seattle, circa 1898
Photograph

Boats in Elliott Bay, Seattle, circa 1898

Caption on image: Wilse.Photographer's Reference Number: 1183
ID Number:Lib1988.33.131
Date:Circa 1898
Image of Makah boy rowing a canoe at Neah Bay, 1900
Photograph

Makah boy rowing a canoe at Neah Bay, 1900

The Makah people of the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula refer to themselves as Kwih-dich-chuh-ahtx, which translates roughly to "the people who live by the rocks and seagulls." The early Makah were skilled mariners, using several types of canoes which they carved from western red cedar for various purposes - war, whaling, fishing, sealing, carrying cargo, and long voyages.…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.136
Date:1900
Image of Steamships being built at Moran Brothers shipyard, Seattle, 1898
Photograph

Steamships being built at Moran Brothers shipyard, Seattle, 1898

The Klondike gold rush brought lots of business to the Moran Brothers shipyard. In 1898, the company built twelve steamers to carry people and supplies on the Yukon River. The vessels were 175 feet long and 35 feet wide. They were built to be used in shallow river water, but they also had to be sturdy enough to make the…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.217
Date:1898
Image of Canoes on Black River, circa 1898
Photograph

Canoes on Black River, circa 1898

Until 1916, the Black River linked Lake Washington with the Duwamish River, and the water was deep enough for steamboats to travel between towns on the lake and Puget Sound. After the lake was lowered in 1916, during construction of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, the Black River dried up and gradually disappeared. This photo shows the Black River as…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.238
Date:Circa 1898
Image of Ferry
Photograph

Ferry "King County" on the ways, March 6, 1900

The ferry "King County," launched in 1900, was the first county-operated ferry on Lake Washington. The vessel was ill-fated from the start. During its launching, the vessel got stuck on a mud bank and boats had to be called in to rescue the dignitaries on board. Continued problems caused the county to condemn the ferry in 1908.This photo, taken in…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.438
Date:1900
Image of Indigenous group launching their canoe at Port Townsend, August 30, 1899
Photograph

Indigenous group launching their canoe at Port Townsend, August 30, 1899

Many Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest traditionally carve canoes from cedar. The canoes are made in several styles and sizes, and the larger ocean-going canoes required multiple people to launch. This image taken in late August 1899 shows a group of Indigenous people dragging a cedar dugout canoe towards the waters of Port Townsend Bay. In the late 19th…
ID Number:Lib1993.1.722
Date:1899
Image of Steamships
Photograph

Steamships "Indiana" and "Richard Holyoke" at dock, Seattle, circa 1905

This photograph shows ships docked at the waterfront, with men in the foreground. The Richard Holyoke was an early steam-powered tugboat, and the Indiana was a large cargo-passenger liner. The brothers Clarence and Otto Langstaff were prolific amateur photographers in Seattle. Clarence worked as a carpenter and also spent time at Mt. Rainier as a guide. Otto worked for W.P.…
ID Number:Lib1993.8.16
Date:Circa 1905
Image of Steamships at Smith Cove docks, Seattle, circa 1905
Photograph

Steamships at Smith Cove docks, Seattle, circa 1905

Large ocean-goingsteamships docked at what later became Pier 90 and 91, loading and unloading goods from both domestic and foreign ports. The Langstaff brothers, who lived in the Magnolia neighborhood, would have been very familiar with this scene. The brothers Clarence and Otto Langstaff were prolific amateur photographers in Seattle. Clarence worked as a carpenter and also spent time at…
ID Number:Lib1993.8.26
Date:Circa 1905
Image of Ballard locks under construction, Seattle, 1914
Photograph

Ballard locks under construction, Seattle, 1914

In this photo, a small boat travels west along the Salmon Bay waterway next to the construction site of the Hiram Chittenden locks, which had their official opening in 1917. The brothers Clarence and Otto Langstaff were prolific amateur photographers in Seattle. Clarence worked as a carpenter and also spent time at Mt. Rainier as a guide. Otto worked for…
ID Number:Lib1993.8.35
Date:1914
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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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