“Unselfish service and general achievement.” That’s what the plaque beneath the Harry Lundeberg Bust says. This bust commemorates a man who truly dedicated his life to the maritime industry.
The Harry Lundeberg Bust honors Harrald Olaf Lundeberg. He was born in Norway in 1901. He later became a significant American labor leader.
Lundeberg’s journey began at sea. At the young age of fourteen, he left home. He then became a sailor. By 1923, he joined the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific in Seattle. For twenty-one years, he sailed. He sailed under different flags and on various vessels. He eventually became an American citizen.
In 1934, Lundeberg was third mate on the SS James W. Griffiths. During the West Coast Longshore Strike, he took a stand. He walked off his ship in Oakland. He did this in support of the strike. About 8,000 sailors joined him. As the strike neared its end, Lundeberg was elected Sailor’s Union of the Pacific patrolman for Seattle.
His leadership led to the creation of the Maritime Federation. In 1935, Lundeberg became its first president. Later that year, he was elected secretary-treasurer of SUP.
The International Seamen’s Union faced difficulties. William Green of the American Federation of Labor took over the ISU. His goal was rebuilding it under the AFL. Lundeberg, also head of the Sailor’s Union of the Pacific, oversaw this. In 1938, Green handed Lundeberg the Seafarer’s International Union charter.
Harry Lundeberg served as president of SIU. He served from 1938 until his death. He died of a heart attack in San Francisco in 1957.
The Harry Lundeberg Bust here is a memorial. It stands outside the Sailors Union of the Pacific Hall. The bust sits on a marble pedestal. An inscription honors his dedication.
There’s also the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship. It’s in Piney Point, Maryland. Paul Hall established it in 1967. This school provides maritime career opportunities.
Lundeberg also has a monument in Seattle. It’s called the Lundeberg Derby Monument. This statue includes a derby cap atop a pillar. It represents the cap worn by members of the Sailors Union.
Did you know Lundeberg’s nickname was “The Lunchbox?” He stood tall at six feet two and a half inches. He weighed 190 pounds. He also had tattoos and was known for his toughness.
Harry Lundeberg left a lasting impact on maritime labor. He fought for sailors’ rights. He created pension and welfare plans. He stood against legislative attempts to weaken the American Merchant Marine. His legacy lives on through this bust. It reminds us of his unselfish service and achievements.