After working on ships for a number of years Robert Moran (1857-1943) opened a marine repair shop at Yesler's Wharf in 1882. Shortly thereafter he established Moran Brothers Marine and Sawmill Machinery Company (later Moran Brothers Company) with his brothers, Frank Moran (1860-1934) and Sherman Moran (1865-1929). In 1898, the firm built a fleet of 12 steamers and 10 barges, and delivered them on the Yukon River to carry food to the miners. The firm also built many large steel and wood vessels, including the battleship USS Nebraska for the U. S. Navy. Moran served as mayor of Seattle from 1888 to 1890, and retired in 1906 to Orcas Island. In 1914, he donated 5,000 acres on Orcas Island to the State of Washington, which became Moran State Park.
This image shows Robert Moran standing next to the propeller of an unidentified ship in drydock at the shipyard, located at the foot of South Charles Street south of Pioneer Square, sometime between 1896-1902.
Photographer's number: 5694
ID Number: 1995.49.124
Date: Circa 1899
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 7.75 x 9.75 in.
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/xv41395
Credit: MOHAI, Moran Brothers Company Collection, 1995.49.124
