15 loose original gelatin silver photographs, each ca. 18,1x12,4 cm (7x5 in). Nine photos with captions either on negatives or on the verso. Glue residues on the verso of most photos, two photographs with minor tears at the edges, but otherwise a very good collection with strong, interesting photos.

Historically important collection of well-executed photos of the Pacific Northwest, including rare early views of the Puget Sound Naval Station in Bremerton, Washington.

The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard was established as a repair facility in 1891. Early construction included dry docks, shipways, and support facilities, making it the first repair yard in the Northwest capable of handling the largest ships. In 1902, the station was redesignated Navy Yard Puget Sound and expanded during WWI to accommodate major shipbuilding and repair programs. By WWII, it had become the West Coast’s premier yard for ship repair and modernization and the only facility capable of servicing capital ships. In 1965, it also became the first West Coast yard to maintain nuclear-powered submarines and today continues to operate as a nuclear-capable maintenance facility.

The collection comprises fifteen excellent original gelatin silver photographs apparently taken by an American traveler and his companion (captured from the back in several photos) in the late 1890s. Especially interesting is a well-executed photo of the U.S.S. Nipsic gunboat docked at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The Nipsic arrived at the yard in 1892 and, at the time the photograph was taken, was serving as both a receiving ship and a prison hulk. The image shows the gunboat with a large roof built over the amidships section, used to accommodate personnel and prisoners.  Another important photo from the Naval Shipyard shows officer’s quarters, constructed to provide adequate housing for the officers responsible for the shipyard and industrial area. The images depict early grounds of the quarters with several similar buildings erected side by side. The other photographs from the collection feature excellent views of the Columbia River Gorge and its environs, showing Latourelle Falls, Rooster Rock, Beacon Rock, Oneonta Gorge, and Mount Hood.

Overall, historically important collection of well-executed photos of the Pacific Northwest, including rare early views of the Puget Sound Naval Station in Bremerton, Washington.