Joe D. Williamson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe D. Williamson
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| Born | March 28, 1909 |
| Died | February 26, 1994 (aged 84) |
| Occupation | Sailor and photographer |
Joe D. Williamson (born March 28, 1909, died February 26, 1994) was a talented sailor and photographer. He loved ships and the sea, especially around the Puget Sound area in Washington State. He spent his life capturing the history of boats and the ocean through his amazing pictures.
Contents
Joe D. Williamson's Life and Work
Starting His Photography Business
In 1937, Joe Williamson opened his very own photo shop. It was located right on the Seattle Waterfront. This busy area was close to important places like Colman Dock.
Helping During World War II
During World War II, Joe played an important role. He was the captain of a motor vessel called the Speeder. This boat helped transport shipyard workers. They traveled from downtown Seattle to the shipyards on Harbor Island.
Founding a Historical Society
In 1948, Joe Williamson helped start something special. He was one of five people who founded the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society (PSMHS). This group works to preserve the history of ships and the sea in the Puget Sound. Joe was also the first president of this society. He led the group from 1948 to 1950.
His Boats and Later Life
Joe Williamson loved boats. In 1959, he owned a 45-foot long boat called the Susan Jane. It was a harbor launch, powered by a 141 horsepower gasoline engine. Later that year, he sold the Susan Jane. Joe also owned another motor yacht named Photo Queen. This boat was 50 feet long. In 1962, Joe closed his photo shop. He then moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington.
His Amazing Photo Collection
Joe Williamson was a very busy photographer. He collected over 35,000 maritime photographs! These pictures show many different ships and scenes from the sea. In 1980, the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society bought his entire collection. People said that Joe Williamson would one day be as famous as Darius Kinsey. Kinsey was a well-known photographer who took pictures of logging.
Books He Helped Write
Joe Williamson also helped write several books. These books shared stories and pictures about ships and the sea. Here are some of the books he worked on:
- Maritime Memories of Puget Sound (with Jim A. Gibbs)
- Pacific Coastal Liners (with Gordon R. Newell)
- Pacific Steamboats (with Gordon R. Newell)
- Pacific Tugboats (with Gordon R. Newell)
