Skinner Foundation photograph collection, ca. 1898-1946.
Title:
Skinner Foundation photograph collection, ca. 1898-1946.
Corporate Author:
Physical Description:
circa 4, 000 photographs (32 volume) : black and white, color.
General Note:
In the Alaska State Library, Historical Collections, P.O. Box 110571, Juneau, AK 99811-0571.
Abstract:
The Skinner Foundation (Alaska Steamship Company) photograph collection covers steamship activity in Alaska from 1898 until approximately 1946, shortly after World War II including subjects such as steamships, steamboat travelers, steamboat cruises, passenger accomodations, shipping, other modes of transportation, tourism, Alaskan towns and villages, and turn-of-the-century Gold Rush photographs taken by various photographers. Vessel information sheets, ship layouts, newspaper clippings, brochures, correspondence, vessel maintenance, personnel, the cargo industry and other corporate activities are also included.
Subject Term:
Geographic Term:
Added Corporate Author:
Ownership:
The Skinner Foundation of Seattle, WA donated the companies photographic archives to the State Of Alaska. As a subsidiary of the Skinner Corporation, the Alaska Steamship Co. was also a supporting company of the Skinner Foundation.
Biographical/Historical Data:
The Alaska Steamship Company was incorporated on the brink of the Klondike Gold Rush for $30,000. The first steamer was a 136-foot, 245-ton steamship named the Willapa, that carried 49 passengers and cargo on its maiden voyage to Ketchikan, Juneau, Dyea and Skagway. In 1908, the Alaska Steamship Co. was purchased by Kennecott Copper and merged with Northwestern Steamship Co., serving as the Alaska Line. The War Administration requisitioned the Alaska steamship fleet for government service in 1942. It was purchased again in 1944 by Skinner & Eddy but shipping costs and the introduction of the airline passenger service forced the company to focus on cargo and containerization. By 1954 passenger service to Alaska via the Alaska Steamship Co. ended. More economic setbacks were experienced by the Alaska Steamship Co. in the '60's including the destruction of many ports by the 1964 earthquake. After years of reorganization and efforts to maintain economic viability, the Alaska Steamship Co. went out of business in 1971. [From: Guide to the Skinner Foundation photograph collection ... [unpublished], by Allison O. Hackett, 1993.].
Organization & Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into 32 volumes: vols. 1-15 are described at the item level; vos. 15-32 are organized into general subjects and described at the folder level.
Restrictions on Access:
Collection is open to research.
Additional Physical Form Available:
Also available on microfiche.
Variant Title:
Alaska Steamship Co. collection