Seaside Stories
Seaside Stories puts young Washingtonians in conversation with members of their diverse communities about their relationships with local waters. Through a joint project between Sea …
Stories
Since time immemorial, people have settled along the saltwater shores of what is today Washington State, supported by the rich maritime resources for food, shelter, inspiration, trade, and transportation. Today, Washington’s shores continue to serve as home to many vibrant maritime cultures. The stories of this place are diverse, complex, and constantly evolving. To help share these narratives, Maritime Washington uses three themes as an organizing framework: people, movement, and resources. Learn more about the people, places, and cultures that make up Maritime Washington by exploring this collection of stories from our shores. And be sure to check back frequently—we’re always adding new voices to this story bank.
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Working Waterfronts Series: Seafood Connection, Westport
By Jeremy Johnson In Westport, Mikayla Evans writes out orders on a dry erase board: 200 pounds, 150 pounds, 30 pounds—portions of fresh tuna to …
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A Ghost Ship in Maritime Washington: Everett’s Haunted Schooner Equator
Working in historic buildings, there is no shortage of ghost stories. (Even the Washington Trust’s own Stimson-Green Mansion is said to be haunted…by friendly former …
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Shadow Boats: Prohibition Rum Runners on Puget Sound
Small speedboats transporting illegal booze down from Canada, smashing through the cold, storm-tossed waters of Puget Sound. The cruel sea might sink them and their …
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Women on the Waterfront: Vanessa Castle
By Vanessa Chin, Maritime Washington Storytelling Intern Image above: Standing on one end of a rotary screw trap, Vanessa Castle and her team use this …
Women on the Waterfront: Ruth Reeber
I am a Lead Test Engineer at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and my job is cool. Well, sometimes. Some days it’s really cool, like when …
Working Waterfront Series: Grays Harbor Bar Pilots, Westport
By Jeremy Johnson Standing on the forward deck of the pilot boat Vega, Port of Grays Harbor Director of Pilotage Bobby D’Angelo times the Vega’s …
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Working Waterfront Series: Brady’s Oysters, Westport
By Jeremy Johnson On a warm September morning, the crew at Brady’s Oysters begins to arrive. The sun rises above the Elk River, and the …
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The Maritime Underground Railroad of Puget Sound
In September 1860, a Black teenager ran away from slavery in Olympia, Washington Territory. An African-Canadian network helped him flee to Victoria—but Charles Mitchell’s “underground …