Historical Memorabilia Of Tugboats Ships & Scenery On The Waters Of Seattle, Tacoma, Puget Sound and Surrounding Waters.
Foss Maritime, Formerly Foss Launch & Tug
Collectible Calendar With 12 Months Of Photographs and Artwork
Calendar Features Wonderful Fascinating Memorable Historical Tugs and Tows, Ships and Scenery From Seattle and Tacoma Washington and More! Foss Maritime 100 Years History Inside Cover & Biography Of Artists On First Page
My Parents Owned Marine Businesses In Tacoma, WA and I Worked In Many and Have Their Collection Of Foss Tug Calendars. These Calendars Were Coveted By All Who Worked On The Waters Of Puget Sound And Waterways. The Memories Are Fun and I've Enjoyed Going Through These Artwork Calendars and Listing Out The Tugboats, Ships and Artists.
This Calendar Is In Very Good Condition With Writing In Ink On Many Calendar Tide Chart Day (See Photos). The Photos Of The Artwork Are Crisp Bright and Frame Worthy. Pages Are Whiter Than The Photos Show Due To Lighting, Vintage Paper & Coloring In Photos
Featured Tugboats Artwork By The Month:
Jan: Arthur Foss 1989-1999 Artwork by Jerry Stitt
Feb: Wedell Foss In Heavy Seas Artwork by Carl H. Christopherson
March: Foss No. 16 With Log Tow To Ballard Artwork by J.H. Christensen
April: Peter Foss "One Last Nudge" by Dutch Mostert
May: Andrew Foss In Ballard Locks Artwork by Edwin R. Ehret
June: Edith Foss Artwork by George M. Davis
July: Foss Tugs With US Coast Guard Sailing Ship Artwork by Marshall Johnson
August: Edith Foss & Steilacoom Ferry May 1950 Artwork by
N.A. Foraker
Sept: Wood Hulled Foss Tugboat Artwork by Warren McCallister
Oct: Duncan Foss In Port Angeles Artwork by Hung Nguyen
Nov: Jenny Foss In Seattle Artwork by Michael Dean
Dec: Lela Tugboat With Logs Artwork By Dianne Van Dlac
1889 It started in Tacoma, Washington when Thea Foss bought a used rowboat, hoping to rent it out to help with the family’s finances. After painting it pristine white with green trim, she sold the rowboat at a profit and used the money to buy several more boats. She was in business – renting the small boats to fishermen and duck hunters, ferrying customers, and delivering supplies in the Tacoma waterways. She continued to purchase more rowboats and launches while her husband, a carpenter, began building them. Soon, the fleets were up to 200 boats. Thea then expanded the business by transporting logs with towboats, under the name Foss Launch and Tug Company. By 1904, the company boasted 10 launches, a shipyard, a 60-passenger oil powered boat, and a small rescue craft to help disabled vessels. World War I propelled the small towing business to a new level, allowing Foss to purchase interests in a Seattle-based towboat company.
Thea died in 1927, a day before her 70th birthday. Members of the Foss family, including Thea’s three sons, continued to operate Foss Maritime for many decades. The city of Tacoma named the Thea Foss Waterway after this pioneer, who is also said to be the inspiration for the television series “Tugboat Annie.”
Today, Foss is a legacy to Thea and Andrew’s hard work, determination and vision. The green and white colors she painted the first rowboat are still used on the company’s powerful state-of the art tugs, which can now be seen in waters throughout the world.
