Arthur Foss

Anchored in time, the Arthur Foss whispers tales of a bygone era. Here at the Historic Ships Wharf, she rests, a testament to a rich maritime history. The Arthur Foss, built in 1889 as the Wallowa, isn’t just a tugboat; she’s a living legend. She began her career guiding sailing ships across the treacherous Columbia River bar. This sturdy vessel, originally powered by steam, later received a modern diesel engine, transforming her into the most powerful tug on the West Coast. The Arthur Foss played a vital role in the Klondike Gold Rush. She ferried miners and supplies along the Inside Passage, braving the unpredictable Alaskan waters. Did you know the Arthur Foss even graced the silver screen? She starred as the Narcissus in the 1933 film “Tugboat Annie,” a story inspired by Seattle’s own waterfront. Her adventures continued during World War II. The Arthur Foss became the last ship to escape Wake Island before the Japanese invasion in December 1941. Her crew, aware of their vulnerability, cleverly disguised the tug by painting over her bright white and green paint with a hasty coat of dark gray. Upon her return to Pearl Harbor, she was commended for “action beyond the call of duty”. After the war, she dutifully returned to her logging duties on Puget Sound. The Arthur Foss tirelessly towed log rafts until her retirement in 1968. Now, the Arthur Foss rests here, a National Historic Landmark. She invites you to step aboard and experience a piece of maritime history. Explore her decks and imagine the countless journeys she undertook. Hear the echoes of her powerful engine and the stories of her courageous crew. The Arthur Foss is more than a museum ship. She’s a time capsule, preserving the spirit of a bygone era.