Vashon (steamer)

An event worthy of note was the granting in 1907 of a second -class pilot's license by the local marine inspectors at Seattle to Mrs. Gertrude Wiman, wife of Capt. Chance Wiman of the Tacoma steamer Vashon the only other woman in Pacific Northwest marine history to have been licensed to take charge of a steamboat being Capt. Minnie Hill of the Portland stern-wheel steamer Governor Newell. Gordon Newell, Maritime Events of 1907, H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest., p. 132.

Citation: Tacoma Public Library

Vashon (steamer)

Capt. Chance Wiman, who had purchased a half interest in the steamer Sophia from W. H. Biobins in 1894, bought out all his partner's interest in the firm of Wiman & Bibbins In 1904. It was understood that Biobins would retire from the steamboat business. Capt. Wiman, with John Manson, formed the Vashon Navigation Co. to continue the Tacoma Vashon Island service, replacing the former Wiman & Biobins steamer Norwood with the new and faster 94-foot Vashon, the first vessel built by John Martinolich at Dockton. The same year Wiman's former partner Biobins joined forces with A. M. Hunt to form the Tacoma & Burton Navigation Co., taking delivery of the new 93-foot steamer Burton from Crawford & Reid and placing her on an identical schedule with the Vashon. One of the most spirited and bitter rivalries in the history of Sound steamboating ensued. Rate wars, races and collisions were the order of the day. Pitched battles between the rival crews were not uncommon and every device was used to lure passengers aboard the

Citation: Tacoma Public Library

Vashon (steamer)

The stern -wheel steamer Vashon (formerly the City of Aberdeen), being operated by the Markey brothers in connection with their Whidbey Island resort, destroyed by fire at Anacortes, November 28, 1911. Gordon Newell, Maritime Events of 1911, H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest. p. 197.

Citation: Tacoma Public Library