.jpg)
Aleutian Express Inc is committed to minimizing the carbon footprint while operating in ecologically sensitive areas. The historic iron/steel vessel ALEUTIAN EXPRESS began service in 1913 as the Portland Oregon fireboat "DAVID CAMPBELL" which was oil fired and steam driven. Replaced in 1927 by 3 more modern gasoline powered fireboats (one of which was also named David Campbell, (which was retired in 2021), was renamed "THE CHIEF "and Purchased by the Foss Launch & Tug Company. In 1928 the vessel was sold to Kanaga Ranching Company and redesigned by naval architect H.C. Hanson in which conversion took place at Lake Union Seattle to a two masted auxiliary sail/diesel power cargo schooner renamed "ALEUTIAN NATIVE". In 1932 the vessel was purchased by Petroleum Navigation Company and converted to an oil tanker in 1935 for service to Alaska, changing the name to "EXPRESS" in 1939. It was reportedly active in the Battle of the Aleutians as an oil tanker during WWII and took part in the evacuation of some of the islands. She was converted to an ocean going towboat and became a combination towboat/ tanker/ Bering Sea king crabber in 1953 (one of the first and is the oldest actively operating US flagged former big Bering Sea crabber beginning with Wakefield trawlers Inc. operating out of Akutan, Alaska using drag gear) which was documented in a Pacific Workboat magazine article in October 1954 and a Seattle Times article from January 1970 (3 page Sunday special edition). Purchased in 1956 by the Upper Columbia River Towing Company, the vessel began towing rafts of logs from Oregon to Southern California during the post war housing boom among other activities until it was again sold in 1962 to m/v Express Inc and returned to Bering Sea crabbing (this time using pot gear) from 1963 to 1969 operated by Michael Lynch, and Miles Rice. In 1973 the Express was converted to a salmon processor and later a tender/towboat by Tom and Mike Kent. As the vessel plates are Iron alloy on steel frames (Illinois Carnegie), and having been commercially well maintained over the years, the ALEUTIAN EXPRESS is a remarkably solid and seaworthy vessel with a proven track record of safety. Today under the ownership and command of Captain John Clutter, the ALEUTIAN EXPRESS is enjoying a complete renovation and refitting to a similar rigging as she looked in 1929 as the ALEUTIAN NATIVE with a more modern interior and deck setting, while borrowing from the concepts of previous owners. With usable roller furling sails, 12 volt LED Lighting and a smaller more fuel-efficient house generator while anchored and not working at full load, the ALEUTIAN EXPRESS can reduce nearly half of it's previous carbon footprint, and sail silently without power if necessary. This is a great benefit in acoustical studies such as whale research, or in seabird rookery areas to minimize pollution in ecologically sensitive areas. With the newer design and most of the remodel complete after a drydock at Port Townsend, Washington in May 2016 the new and old names were combined reflecting the vessels rich history while giving it the distinction of a newly redesigned vessel with new purpose for future work in the 21st Century as the ALEUTIAN EXPRESS.
Photo courtesy of Amy Jordan
