SKANSIE BROTHERS SHIPYARD GIG HARBOR, WA. Original 1927 photo from the archives of the Saltwater People Historical Society© Click image to enlarge. |
The first craft built by the Skansie brothers, Peter, Andrew, Mitchell, and Joseph, at their new shipyard was the 65-ft fishing vessel OCEANIA, launched in May 1912, and designed for their own fishing fleet. The brothers were said to have built the first gasoline launch for seine fishing on Puget Sound while other fishermen were still using oar-powered skiffs. The brothers learned the shipbuilding trade in Europe.
Mitchell Skansie was the major owner of the young shipyard and the upcoming ferry company. In 1921 he established the Steilacoom-Long Branch ferry, adding the Fox Island ferry in 1924. In 1926 he organized the Washington Navigation Company of which he was 93% owner, taking over the county ferries operating between Tacoma, Gig Harbor, and Vashon Island, thus gaining control of the entire ferry system then operating in Pierce County." H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the PNW. Newell, Gordon, editor.
1927: The launching of the M.V. DEFIANCE, Gig Harbor, WA.
Flags flying for the launching of DEFIANCE 226366 444 G.t. 295 N.t. 156' x 49.2' x 13.6' Original photo inscribed, 16 January 1927 from the archives of the Saltwater People Historical Society© |
Launching of DEFIANCE 16 January 1927 Skansie Brothers Shipyard Gig Harbor, WA. Dated original photo from the archives of the Saltwater People Historical Society© |
1930: By this year, Mitchell Skansie owned 7 ferries operating on 4 routes.
1940: "The spectacular collapse of the Washington State Highway Department's first suspension bridge across the Puget Sound Narrows at Tacoma early in the year, resulted in the resumption of the ferry service that had been discontinued there following the completion of the bridge. Bids were submitted to the highway department by William Skansie of Gig Harbor (WA. Navigation Co.) and Capt. John L. Anderson. The Anderson bid was the lower of the two, but it was claimed that it did not meet contract specifications and the award was made to Skansie. The ferries SKANSONIA, CITY OF TACOMA, and DEFIANCE maintained this service for the ten years between the collapse of the first ill-fated bridge, and the completion of a new $18,000,000 span to replace it."
H.W. McCurdy's Marine History of the PNW. Newell, G. editor.
Thank you, Captain Mike Boyle, for the help with this post.
For more history from this well-known immigrant family's hometown, please see a Harbor History Museum blog post along with other links they have included HERE
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