Onto the
national news scene came the story of Paul and Molly Satko and their crew of
children, shown in this striking photo taken in Tacoma. So many on-lookers had
suggested the 40' boat resembled an ark, so that became her chosen name, the
ARK OF JUNEAU.
Paul
was an unemployed machinist/welder living in Richmond, VA, who had dreams for a
better life. His plans led the man and his family on a long path, trailering
his unfinished, home-built boat across the country to the west coast. Boat work is never
done, so they were stuck on shore for three years prior to launching.
Authorities inspecting the ARK OF JUNEAU Owner, Paul Satko on right. Seattle, WA. 27 April 1940 Original photo from the archives of the S.P.H.S.© |
Paul Satko with daughter Betty, their journey interrupted by court action. Their ARK, in background, is being viewed by Seattle spectators. Original photo from the archives of the S.P.H.S.© |
Satko was encouraged to hear of federal homestead land still available in the Eagle River valley, near Juneau, AK. His scheme got bogged down in Seattle when the US Coast Guard and the Puget Sound Pilots said the trip couldn't be done safely in the awkward vessel. Following this stranding, the underage children were taken into protective custody for a time and Paul Satko was escorted off to jail.
Paul Satko In jail for resisting arrest. Original photo dated April 1940, From the archives of S.P.H.S.© |
It
was in this port that the family found friendship. The well-known civic leader, Paul
Luvera, welcomed them, energized the townsfolk to help provision the boat for
the long trip ahead, and with his legal skills, helped Satko acquire Customs
clearance papers.
To
avoid any difficulties from waterborne officials, they left quietly under cover
of darkness, casting off from the island, a quick passage through the San
Juan Islands (being noted in the local Friday Harbor Journal), past any resident US Coast Guard cutters, and safely into BC
waters.
The
Satkos arrived at their northern destination just in time to welcome another
baby, Northsea Meridians Satko, their tenth child.
The
story goes that they did find AK land to homestead but failed to file their
claim within the time limit, so they did not achieve a patent deed. They farmed
for a few years, with only a little success, some of the children married and
settled in AK, but late in the 1940s, records show the parents had returned to
VA., without the ARK.
Other
details of the Fidalgo Islanders support, with follow-up on the family's
adventure, can be viewed here
What an interesting article. Thank you.
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