Other Useful Resources
- Guide to the Leonard C. Hosford Scrapbooks 1811-1957Compilation of historical research and photographs on steamboating in the western and central United States and Canada from 1811 to 1957. Collection comprised of thirty five volumes assembled by steamboat captain Leonard C. Hosford.
- Bellingham Maritime HistoryVideo. Bellingham Shipyard during the World War II; economic impact of Bellingham’s maritime history; Pacific American Fisheries, building war ships during World War II, and is considered a leader in the introduction of fiberglass into ship building. 
Collections at the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
Construction of "Redwood" and "Firwood" at the Pacific American Fisheries shipyard at Commercial Point in South Bellingham. The Redwood was launced in January 1917 and the Firwood in April 1917. Image from the Galen Biery Papers and Photographs #2545.0, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies.
Useful collections re: ships, vessels and maritime history may include:
- Biery (Galen) PapersIncludes film footage and photos of ships launched from the Bellingham Shipyards and the "Mosquito Fleet" of Steamships
- Bullitt (Dorothy) Collection on 18th Century ExplorersLithographs, and narrative accounts documenting explorations by British Naval officers including Captains James Cook and George Vancouver in the late eighteenth century. These documents reflect early European perspectives and depictions of Native and First Nations people and culture, including in the Pacific Northwest region.
- Buswell (Howard E.)Series VII: Whatcom Historical Materials: Ships, shipwrecks, steamships
Series VIII: Pacific Northwest Historical Materials, 1946-1959
Ships, shipping, steamboats, river boats - CPNWS Miscelleaneous Scrapbook CollectionIncludes photo albums documenting Pacific American Fisheries operations and WWI and WWII era boats and shipbuilding in Bellingham.
- Funk (Wallie V.) PapersIncludes images documenting Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
- Collection of publications on Washington State 1899-1985; 1960-1980This collection contains reference materials including articles, brochures and publications covering various topics through Washington State, with a strong focus on Bellingham and Whatcom County history. The collection is arranged by subject.
- Pacific American Fisheries RecordsBusiness records of one of the largest salmon fishing and packing operations, formerly headquartered in Bellingham, Washington.
- Pacific Northwest Historical Materials, Series VIII: 1946-1959This collection contains reference materials including articles, brochures and publications covering various topics through Washington State, with a strong focus on Bellingham and Whatcom County history.
Published Resources
- Isla de Eliza byHistory of Eliza Island, home for many years to ship-building operations of the Pacific American Fisheries.
- Lewis & Dryden's marine history of the Pacific Northwest byPublication Date: 1895an illustrated review of the growth and development of the maritime industry, from the advent of the earliest navigators to the present time, with sketches and portraits of a number of well known marine men
Archives & Special Collections
OUR MISSION
Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections provides for responsible stewardship of and access to unique and archival resources in support of teaching, learning and research at Western Washington University and beyond. The Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Special Collections, and University Archives and Records Management work together to document the culture and history of Western, the local community and Pacific Northwest region, and to promote public and scholarly access to holdings.