A Shipbuilding Crew in Seattle, Side View - Circa 1900

In 1900 wood was still the dominant material used in ship building, and many wooden ships were built in the Pacific Northwest, especially in the Seattle area.

This view by Wilhelm Hester shows the early stages of putting together the frame for a new ship. The crew has gathered for a portrait, featuring a steam donkey in the foreground that was used to help move the many heavy timbers. Shipbuilding was profitable, and thousands of these ships were put together near the turn of the last century.

NOTE: It's been pointed out to me that this may be a photo of building a cradle used to build cigar rafts of logs for towing to California. If you know something about this, please let me know.

-- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon.