Ernest W. Steers Photograph and Log Book Collection, ca. 1901-1923

Collection

Identifier: PCA 519

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Photographic scenes of Dolomi, Ernest W. Steers, friends, family, and his boats, as well as Katalla, Ketchikan, McKinley, Holy Cross, Bering Sea. The collection includes two boat logs, a workmen’s time log book from Dolomi days, and a journal of Mr. Steers’ trip to Katalla.

Dates

circa 1901-1923

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Use

Request for permission to publish or reproduce material from the collection should be discussed with the Librarian.

Biographical Note

Ernest Walter Steers was born December 16, 1879 in Oregon City, Oregon, and died November 18, 1946 in Ketchikan. He and his brother, Marion Bert Steers, arrived in the Ketchikan area by the early 1900s. They prospected and eventually, Ernie ran tug boats towing logs and ships from Ketchikan for the rest of his life.

Chronology of experiences in Alaska:

1898-1906 Worked at Dolomi Alaska 1905 Towed the sawmill equipment from Dolomi 1908-1909 Worked in Ketchikan 1910 Took the steamer Bertha to Katalla, wintered in Sitka 1916 Towed with the launch George B out of Ketchikan 1917 Towed with the Spray which he owned 1918 Spent part of the winter in Southern California, towed with the Spray in summer 1923 Bought the Chief, which Ernie operated until he died

Extent

1 boxes (9 folders) : 80 black and white photographic prints, assorted sizes ; 3 log books, 1 journal

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was donated by Marcy Steers Cusato September 14, 2009. Acc. # 2009-36. Ernest Walter Steers was the donor’s great uncle. Ernest Walter Steers and his spouse, Charlotte Steers had no children and after Ernie died, Charlotte Steers gave the collection to the donor’s parents, Mary and Cy Steers. Cy had worked with his uncle Ernie on the tug Chief when he was in high school and college, approximately 1927-1937.

Processing Information

This collection has been described at the item level. All items were placed in Mylar. The original envelopes for the log books and journal have been retained and placed in the appropriate folder. The collection had been placed in pH-neutral folders in original order.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Finding aid for the Ernest W. Steers Photograph and Log Book Collection, ca. 1901-1923
Status: In Progress
Author: Processed by: Anastasia Tarmann, September 2009. Revised by: Jacki Swearingen, May 2012. ArchivesSpace Finding Aid by: Freya Anderson
Date: 2019 June
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: Undetermined
Script of description: Code for undetermined script
Language of description note: English