The Blanchard Boat Company was one of the leading yacht builders of Seattle. Founded by N.J. (Norman J.) Blanchard (1885-1954) in 1905, the company built nearly 2,000 boats over its 64-year history, including commercial ships, classic motor cruisers and sailing yachts, some of which are still in use today. Following N.J.'s death in 1954, his son Norman C. Blanchard (1911-2009) took over as head of the yard. Partly due to the growing popularity of fiberglass, the Blanchard shop closed in 1969, as did many of the wooden boat shops in the region.
The motor yacht "Conquista," pictured here, was a U.S. Navy submarine chaser transformed into a pleasure craft by the Blanchard Boat Co. Purchased from the Navy by Brooks Gifford in, the vessel was moved to the dock of the N.J. Blanchard Boat Co. on Lake Union for alterations and improvements. In September 1921, the "Conquista" made her maiden voyage as a yacht, with N.J. Blanchard among the party travelling to San Pedro, California.
Written on verso: 11 ft. World War I subchaser converted by N.J. Blanchard at foot of Wallingford Ave. Lake Union circa 1921 Caption information source: Railway and Marine News, October 1921, p. 11.
ID Number: 1989.89.272
Date: Circa 1921
Physical Description: 1 photographic print on linen backing : b&w ; 7.5 x 9.5
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. View the finding aid for this collection at https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv38317
Credit: MOHAI, Blanchard Boat Company Photographs and Other Material, 1989.89.272
