Ketchikan in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

Steamships in Ketchikan

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

1. Steamships in Ketchikan Matkers

Exhibit consists of four panels, three of which can be seen here.

Inscription.
Steamship Mariposa takes on freight at the Alaska Steamship Co. Dock, 1912
Steamship arrivals and departures were frequent in early 20th century Ketchikan, and each one was an important event, as this photo illustrates. Townspeople line the dock to welcome friends and family and to pick up the latest news from the “Lower 48.” Passengers on the steamer are crowded along the rail, causing the ship to list to starboard. Barrels of mild-cured salmon and the luggage of departing passengers can be seen on the dock, ready to be loaded aboard. The Alaska Steamship Company steamer Mariposa carried passengers and freight between Seattle and Southeast Alaska from 1911 to 1917. Mariposa was known for her comfortable accommodations, and she was fast – once making the northbound trip from Seattle to Ketchikan in 43 hours and 20 minutes.

Meeting a ship on the Alaska Steamship Co. dock, circa 1930
Headquartered in Seattle, the Alaska Steamship Company was formed in 1894 and began freight and passenger service to Ketchikan in 1900. Steamship travel was the predominant mode of transportation to Southeast Alaska from the late 1800s through World

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War II when faster, cheaper air service supplanted steamship transportation. The Alaska Steamship Company office pictured here was located at the foot of Mission Street (formerly Market Street) along the Ketchikan Wharf.

Canadian Pacific Railway steamer Princess Royal at dock in Ketchikan, circa 1915
A handsome single-stack wooden passenger steamer, Princess Royal was constructed for the Canadian Pacific Railway’s British Columbia Coast Service and operated on excursions to Southeast Alaska. Princess Royal was a single-screw steamer of 1,997 tons with a service speed of 15 knots. Her capacity was 700 passengers with overnight accommodations for 164 in 2 staterooms. Princess Royal was the last wooden vessel built for the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Steamships Spokane and Ella Rohlffs docked at Ryus Float, 1908
Built in 1902 for the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, the S.S. Spokane was designed to service early tourism excursions to Alaska. The Spokane could accommodate 171 first-class tourist passengers and 100 passengers in steerage, most of who were bound for employment in Alaska’s canneries. The S.S. Ella Rohlffs was one of two smaller

Steamships in Ketchikan Marker (Panel 1) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

2. Steamships in Ketchikan Marker (Panel 1)

ships operated by the Union Steamship Company that delivered freight and passengers to outlying communities around Ketchikan during the early 1900s. Both vessels are docked at Ryus Float, which was located at the foot of Dock Street one block north of here, and directly serviced the longtime family-owned and operated Ryus Drug Company.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 55° 20.455′ N, 131° 38.811′ W. Marker is in Ketchikan, Alaska, in Ketchikan Gateway Borough. It can be reached from Front Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on the Ketchikan waterfront. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ketchikan AK 99901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Alaska,

in Tlingit and Haida & Tsimshian Region.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once

Steamships in Ketchikan Marker (Panel 2) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

3. Steamships in Ketchikan Marker (Panel 2)

the Russian Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ketchikan Waterfront from Pennock Island, 1905 (a few steps from this marker); Trials by Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); South Front Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Spirit & Sparks (within shouting distance of this marker); When 'Steam was Queen' (within shouting distance of this marker); Proud Canoes & Coastal Traders (within shouting distance of this marker); Star-crossed Square Riggers (within shouting distance of this marker); Tongass Trading Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ketchikan.

More about this marker. Marker consists of four panels, each having photographs provided by Ketchikan Museums and Tongass Historical Society.

Steamships in Ketchikan Marker (Panel 3) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

4. Steamships in Ketchikan Marker (Panel 3)

Steamships in Ketchikan Marker (Panel 4) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

5. Steamships in Ketchikan Marker (Panel 4)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 18, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.