❖ Sea Story with Schooner GRACIE S. ❖ verbatim by Lew Dodd of Yellow Island.

Letterhead stationery of
Lew Dodd,
owner/resident of Yellow Island,
San Juan Archipelago, WA.
Letter sent to a mainland friend in 1954.
Click image to enlarge.
From the archives of the Saltwater People Historical Society©

Lew and his wife, Tib, longtime Orcas Islanders, purchased Yellow Island and retired there full-time in 1947. Lew wrote long, interesting letters to friends and family while he was snugged down and happy building a life on their private island. Written in longhand by Lew to some correspondents on the mainland, here is an excerpt from one letter dated 30 December 1954.

"...Several years ago, I went all around Vancouver Island on Ed Kennell's pilot schooner GRACIE S.*  We went into places that still are raw, undeveloped, wild, and about as they were many years ago. It is a wild region that West Coast, and it is anyone's guess of what will ever be made of it. One place we went into was Refuge Cove north of Nootka Island and west a bit. On the west side of the cove was quite a large Native village, canoes and skiffs hauled up in a long row. The men had rigged clothes lines running from the shanty-like homes to the tops of the tall fir trees and these lines resembled the masts of vessels dressed with code flags as on a special occasion. Every color of the rainbow in shirts, pants, dresses, underwear, ribbons, and whatever else those Natives used. On the opposite side of the nearby land-locked cove was a fish camp run by an Englishman who had seven children, who when lined up on deck, looked like animated treble musical scales and sounded like it also.
      This Englishman told us that the old Natives had said to him that our schooner was the largest vessel which had ever come this far into the cove and the only sailing vessel of such a size, in many, many years which had been at this place.
      On our second day, there were two very, very old Native men who came alongside in their canoe, which they tied to our rail, and then made signs they wished to come aboard. Once on deck, they moved slowly around, inspecting everything very closely and missing nothing. Their English was extremely limited, but their gestures were emphatic. All they kept saying to each other was: "beeeg sheep, beeeg sheep" and "Seelah! Seelah!" and nodding to each other in agreement. They believed we were an old-time sealing schooner and wanted to know "where come--Seattle?" Ugh--Seelah"; "Come Seattle, many long time ago! "Here!"
      So, you see, there are still Natives along that west coast of Vancouver Island who remember the pelagic sealing days.
      When we finally got down to Victoria, among the visitors who came aboard was a very tall, lean, sharp-faced man with piercing gray eyes and a general bearing of one who had known at first hand the sea. I was introduced to him and he turned out to be a Captain Todd, one of the last skippers of a pelagic sealing schooner sailing out of Victoria, shooting seals along the coasts of Japan before the International agreement was established outlawing this wholesale slaughter of the fur seal.
      On Orcas, when we first came there, lived a Captain Gale whose schooner, also a sealer, had been seized by the U.S. government. Just before his death, I think around 1934, the government reimbursed him for his loss. This came at a time too late to do him much good but his sister, Mrs. Madeline Curry, at about age 92, is still able to supply her few needs from what remains of the money refunded to Capt. Gale.
      So it can be seen we're not so very far removed in time from some of what happened when this Pacific Northwest was yet younger than we now know it. I shall never forget that evening spent listening intently to the first-hand accounts of the sealing days of Captain Todd of Victoria, B.C."
Lew Dodd.
With thanks to Ruthie for sharing the letter copies written by this retired man of the sea. 
* More about the pilot schooner GRACIE S can be seen on this Log HERE

Another post of the arrival of Tib and Lew Dodd to Yellow Island in 1947 can be viewed HERE.

❖ PILOT SCHOONER TO PRIVATE YACHT ❖ GRACIE S.

Schooner GRACIE S. 
Sailing Lake Washington, 17 April 1949.
Click to enlarge.
Original photo by Ken Ollar from the archives
of the Saltwater People HIstorical Society©

"Seattle acquired another picturesque pleasure craft in the GRACIE S, a 96-ft power schooner, built in 1893 for the San Francisco Pilots Association. For 40 years she was in that service, standing about 15 miles off Golden Gate and contacting incoming and outgoing ships. Six pilots made their headquarters on her. The vessel owned at this time (1949) by Edison Kennell Jr was rebuilt and re-rigged. Beginning 20 June 1949 she cruised between Seattle and the north end of Vancouver Island carrying a crew of 12 boys who were taught the seafaring art." 
Source of text: The Seattle Times, April 1949.

Schooner GRACIE S
Looking aft from the starboard bow,
with master rigger and sailmaker,
 Rupert Broom, at work on deck.
 The schooner carried 3,900 sq ft of new canvas.
Dated 17 April 1949.
Click to enlarge.
Original photo by Ken Ollar from the archives
of the Saltwater People Historical Society©

Schooner GRACIE S.
Out on Lake Washington, with all hands
 heaving on the main throat halyard.
 The vessel is built of teak and Douglas fir
and was the largest privately owned craft
of her type in the PNW. 
in 1949. Kennell brought the boat
to Seattle under her own power and 
has been reconditioning her,
guided by the old original blueprints.
Click to enlarge. 
Also dated 17 April 1949.
Original photo by Ken Ollar from the archives
 of the Saltwater People Historical Society©

GRACIE S. has another chapter under the name of WANDERER with another owner––for another day.

❖ SEAFAIR DAYS OF OLD ❖

SCHOONER GRACIE S

sails in the Royal Entourage
to open Seattle Seafair
Photo dated 11 August 1950
from the archives of the Saltwater People Log©

King Neptune takes over Seattle: Victor Rabel, as King Neptune I led his royal entourage ashore at the Harbor Patrol dock at the foot of Washington Street to officially open Seattle's first annual Seafair. 
      Mayor William Devin welcomed the Seafair ruler and his party. The group included: Prime Minister Ray L. Eckmann, a company of guards, and 25 princesses, contenders for Seafair Queen. The royalty arrived on the schooner GRACIE S, under full sail. King Neptune was crowned last night at the Green Lake Aquatheater.
Text from The Seattle Times, 12 August 1950. Front page. 

1950
Old sternwheelers churn Elliott Bay.
US Army Corps W.T. PRESTON, right 
powered past the SKAGIT BELLE, center
and the 
SKAGIT CHIEF to take the lead
and win the 3-mi race.
The course of the Seafair event
ran from Magnolia bluff
to the foot of Lenora St. 
The race was sponsored by the
Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society
Photograph by Larry Dion.
Original from the archives of S.P.H.S.©

1950

WORLD RECORD HOLDER 
SLO-MO-SHUN IV.
Best of all this photo depicts 
the designer, Ted O. Jones;
the builder, Anchor Jensen;
the driver, Stanley S. Sayres;
the second year of the 

Seattle SeaFair, 1950.

Original photo from the archives of S.P.H.S.©

1952

King Neptune,
E. L. Blaine, Jr.
gets a royal reception, as he steps ashore
from the yacht GRACIE S
to take over Seattle for the Seafair.
He was given a king salmon
by Joan Knutson, representing Ballard.
L-R: Ray Lichtenberger, holding the salmon,
Mayor Allan Romeroy, in background,
King Neptune, holding Joan,
Rack Eckmann, first prime minister
of Seafair,
Vic Rebel, King Neptune, and 
Willis Camp, 1952 prime minister.

1954

Are we serious about this parade?
Bobby Dow, Mary, and Peggy Dow
and Judy Knightlinger watch from
Times Square, Seattle, WA.
Click image to enlarge.
Photographer unknown,
From the archives of the Saltwater People
Historical Society©

1955

British Cruiser SUPERB,
Pier 91, Seattle, WA.
Original photo dated 1955
from the archives of the S.P.H.S.

Visitors streamed aboard the British cruiser at Pier 91 that year as the SUPERB and 12 ships of the USN were opened for Seattle inspection. Another major attraction was the US aircraft carrier MIDWAY. With them on display were the destroyer escorts BRANNON, GILLIGAN, ROMBACH, JOHNSON, NICKEL, GRADY, WELDEN, GOSS and BUTLER with minesweepers REDSTART and DEXTROUS. Crew members were the guides aboard their ships.
Text from the Seattle Times, 31 July 1955.

1957

PAR-LIN

14-ft sloop after 1,000 miles from
Sitka, AK to the Seattle Seafair
Summer 1957.
Original photo from the archives of the
Saltwater People Historial Society©

Two suntanned youths from Alaska got a Seafair welcome in Seattle after completing a 1,000-mile trip from Sitka. 

      The sailors were directed to the pier by Harbor Patrol to receive an official Seafair greeting.

      Sailors Don Noreen, 18, and Lester Radach, 19, steered their small craft to Pier 50 after a trip from Everett. The boys, who started their trip on 9 June at Stika, also were greeted by Noreen's grandfather, Adam Fries of Tacoma, and other relatives.

      The men made most of the journey by sail, but used a borrowed outboard motor for the last leg of the trip; they plan to sell the boat.

      The daily distances varied from four to 75 miles; they only experienced minor sailing difficulties. 

Abridged text from the Seattle Times 31 July 1957.

      

1964

Third Lake Bridge,
Lake Washington, 1964.
The first symptom of the annual malady––
hydroplane fever––was detected as men
from the 554th Engine Co at Fort Lewis
built a 472' floating span from the Stan Sayres
Memorial Pits to the official barge.
The Army brought half pontoons and
decking from Fort Lewis
in heavy trucks and six trailers.
Thirty-five men assembled the span in five hours.
At left, a USCG buoy tender marked the course for
the Seafair Trophy Race of 9 August 1964.
Photo by Bruce McKim
on 30 July 1964
Original photo from the archives of S.P.H.S.©

1965

Army engineers push a section towards
the bridge already installed.
Photo date verso, 29 July 1965.
Original photo from the archives of the S.P.H.S.©

Army engineers constructed the bridge from the shore of Lake Washington to the official barge near the Stan Sayres Memorial Park, the site where the unlimited hydroplanes would begin the build-up for the Gold Cup.

1967

Honorary Marshal
Mr. Joshua Green
(c. 1870-1975)
SeaFair, Seattle, WA. 1967.
Original photo from the archives of S.P.H.S.©

Long on years but high on Seafair enthusiasm, Joshua Green appeared in a new role as honorary marshal of the Torchlight Parade. Green took to the honor like a duck takes to Lake Washington in parts uncharted by hydroplanes. "Tip top!" Green cried on learning of the choice.

      Promptly, Green slipped into a Seafair Commodores' jacket, temporarily discarded his hard-brim sailor straw in favor of a Commodore cap and saluted Seafair and all Seattle in his new role.

      Honorary chairman of the board of Peoples National Bank of Washington, a golfer, a pheasant-and-duck hunter, a brisk man for all his 97 years. Green said of his appointment:

      "It fits me like the paper on the wall. It's a very nice thing, but I don't think I rate it. My steamboating days make me just right for this Seafair job––right out of my Seafair book. Great cities have great festivals––New Orleans has its Mardi Gras, and Seattle has its Seafair. My steamboating fits me for Seafair; my banking fits me for Seafair, for it pours money into the city at this season, and that makes for more prosperity.

      Green saluted in front of the Neal Ordayne portrait of him that hangs in the Green home. He grinned as he struck a pose for the new role. 

      "Reckless abandon," Green said impishly.

Above text by Robert Heilman for the Seattle Times, 31 July 1967

      

1986

Boats of all shapes and sizes
moored at the log boom
to watch the hydros on Lake Washington
This day 3 August 1986
with photograph by freelancer,
James Robert Zebroski
Original photo from the archives of S.P.H.S.©

Log boom spectators 
watching the Blue Angels, 1986.
Racecourse for the hydroplane races,
Lake Washington, Seattle, WA.
Click to enlarge.
Photo by Greg Gilbert.
from the archives of the
Saltwater People Historical Society©

❖ "Privateers" on the Schooner GRACIE S ❖ 1949

Pilot Schooner GRACIE S 

O.N. 86275

New home port, Seattle, WA.

Also known to flirt with mariners in the San Juan Islands.

Dated 1949 photo by Kenneth G. Ollar©
Original photo from the archives of the S. P. H. S.

"Wanted––able lads between the ages of 14 and 18––to sail on schooner GRACIE S––leaving 20 June for unknown ports to westward."
      Find a lad whose heart wouldn't be captured by such an advertisement appearing in this day and age. However, that's no imaginary ad. That very sign appears in the window today of the downtown business establishment of E. Edison Kennell, Jr.
      And, 20 June, the 97-ft schooner GRACIE S. will shove off from the Seattle Yacht Club with a crew of teenage lads. There will be no timetable. For two weeks they just go where the wind blows.
      Only a few years ago the most venturesome lads found their big thrill in running off to sea on a sailing ship. Such storied vessels have all but disappeared from the high seas, yet this thrilling adventure is to be born again, here in Seattle.
      Kennell recently purchased GRACIE S, for 50 years a pilot schooner off San Francisco Bay, and refitted her as a sea-going school for lads 14 to 18 years of age.

GRACIE S
Courtesy of John Kennell©

      It's an adventure that Kennell will thrill in as much as will the boys, for GRACIE S is a perfect replica of the old traders. She is one of the most seaworthy vessels afloat, and though everything aboard her has been kept old fashioned for atmosphere, she has all the modern conveniences––a big Diesel engine, steam heat throughout, showers, an electric galley, and complete radio equipment, consisting of a transmitter and receiver and radio-direction finder, bringing a lad as close to his parents as the nearest telephone.

Privateer Ted Rogers, age 14,
at the helm of the famous Schooner GRACIE S.

 William Donley, aft, the nav instructor.

Strait of Juan de Fuca, 1949.

Photo by Kennell-Ellis©

Original photo from the archives of the S. P. H. S.

      The ship's company will consist of Kennell, the skipper; Mrs. Kennell, who will take care of the menu, as well as sew on the occasional button; James (Doctor) Tuohy, the cook; William Donley, navigation instructor; Dave McCrea, engineering officer; Amos Levitt, Jr., mate, and 14 "Privateers", as the lads will be known.
      Any boy between the permitted ages, who can swim and has a love for the sea, is eligible to take part in one or more of the five two-week cruises scheduled for this summer. The only cost is sharing the expenses of food, fuel, and the cook's wages.
      Monday, 20 June, GRACIE S. will leave for her first cruise––to Princess Louisa Inlet. Every other Monday another two-week trip will be leaving, visiting Barkley Sound and Hot Springs Cove, Butte Inlet, a trip around Vancouver Island and a visit to Knight's Inlet, all in British Columbia waters.
      Drills and schooling will occupy the first few days of each cruise. Then the "Privateers" will sail into the ocean, then back to the coast, and the particular destination of that trip. Almost every night the hook will be dropped and the lads will go ashore and beach comb and fish and visit many coastal BC communities.
Above text by Bob Sutton for the Seattle Times, 17 April 1949.

July 1949:

Ed Kennell, Jr. and the privateers on GRACIE S stopped off at the Lopez Yacht Club on their two-week cruise through the islands en route to Princess Louisa Inlet, BC.
Orcas Islander Newspaper, 7 July 1949

November 1964: 

Fate: 
Sadly, WANDERER (ex-GRACIE S.) wrecked when she struck a reef off Rangiroa Island, 200 miles northeast of Tahiti in November 1964. She was en route to Panama. All hands were rescued. Her last owners were Omer Darr and Joe Price of Bartlesville, OK.

❖ Farewell 2009 ❖ Ahoy 2010

Photo by Debra Madan
on board the good ship
MORNING STAR.2009.

It was a productive and enjoyable founding year for Saltwater People Historical Society. Mariners, historians, and interested parties from several islands have come together to share and collect stories and remnants of our earlier maritime antics.

It was a pleasure to have the help of the following people:

Miles McCoy who donated a framed 14" x 24" vintage photo of the Schooner AZALEA when she was the flagship of the codfishing fleet owned by Robinson Fisheries, Fidalgo Island. This photograph serves to illustrate the archived notes shared by Ellen Bruns Madan, written by her father Eber, of his two seasons sailing as a member of the AZALEA crew in the early 1920s. Eber was born on Lopez, grew up and married on Shaw Island, and then moved with his wife and family to Orcas Island, where he had an interesting land-based career.

William B. Evans donated huge new signal flags from the Tatoosh Island weather station where he was stationed in the 1950s. The flags are larger than the home where they currently live in the warm and dry. With the flags came Pacific Ocean charts, a finely illustrated drawing of Bellingham Bay and Fairhaven in 1891, related posters, a shell-back certificate issued by the USN in 1929, and THEN there's the mounted King Crab specimen that once graced the former Warshall's Sporting Goods store in Seattle. The species is not native to our region, but some of the local fishermen were involved in that fishery. Just try me... I'll find a connection to our archipelago.

Former fisherman Jon Boyer has shared an antique steamer trunk and some glass floats from his personal collection. Kit Africa, Dan Levin, Poul B. Olsen, and Schattauer Sails people have donated or made possible line drawings of vessels from their private files. Skip Bold parted with a wooden bilge pump and a life-ring from his boat, the CORAL SEA.

Taking liberty to slip back one year, flying over the Shaw Island Community Center, there is a gift from 2008. It is the ship windvane designed, crafted, and donated by steamboater John M. Campbell. It features the lumber schooner CAMANO, to commemmorate her 1919 connection to a local sailor, Capt. Lyle E. Fowler. John also made a windvane that sits atop the Orcas Post Office.

Fine books and journals were added to our reference library. We have these good people to thank; William B. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Les Gunther, Robin Paterson, Mary Schoen, Gordon Tweit. To the rescue came angels Neil and Angela Bryant with two seven-foot wooden book cases to shelve the growing library.

In an earlier blog you learned of the generous donation by Louise Thomas -- the Old Town canoe once seen paddled throughout our county by S.J. County Engineer/Surveyor Errett Graham.

Oceans of thanks also to Louellen McCoy for her fine photo editing skills, John Kennell for some family images of the former pilot schooner GRACIE S; for care packages that come from Kae and Robin Paterson. Debra Madan facilitated the purchase of two pieces of marine art painted by Orcas islander Michelle De Long. Dave Yansen earns points for locating and hauling the heaviest contribution... a piston from the Washington Ironworks main engine of the dearly departed VASHON which he salvaged from the wreck site and donated to us recently. What can I say, some of us loved that boat. The piston has been underwater since 1986; it's being cleaned up before it is ferried out to SJ County.

Kit Africa traveled from Port Townsend to present our first program --- his childhood memories of sailing to Tahiti with his family on board Sterling Hayden's WANDERER in the late 1950s. A donation from sailor guy Mike Douglas made it possible to copy drawings that were loaned to us by Kit.

Captain Tony Lee, MORNING STAR, and rigger Brion Toss sang themselves through a wonderful presentation of their efforts with the restoration of the historical tall ship ELISSA.

To each and all of you and to any that I've temporarily forgotten, please know that firstly, you are adored, and secondly that you are important and necessary to this mission. Many thank-yous from the middle of my main.