Lake Union Dry Dock Company
Encyclopedia
The Lake Union Dry Dock Company is a marine vessel large-scale dry dock
and repair operation in Seattle's Eastlake district. It is located near ZymoGenetics
, directly across from the Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation. It currently operates two large-scale submersible floating dry docks, as well as numerous shipbuilding
and repair facilities, all of which are located on the water.
-era vessels, including the Principia, the Electra, and the M/V
'Catalyst.
, the company shifted its focus to wartime production, becoming a major client for numerous naval contracts. This continues to this day, with clients such as the Washington State Ferries
and NOAA. However, most of the company's principle work now centers around the maintenance and repair of large commercial cruise and fishing vessels. In recent times, as the Eastlake neighborhood began to lose its industrial status, the company has added private Yacht storage and mooring
to its list of services, as well as leasing to a small plane tour company; also houseboat
s are now a common sight alongside massive fish processing tankers and luxury liner
s. In recent years, the company has worked on vessels as varied as the Sea Shepard's Farley Mowat vessel, as well as historic restorations for the Center for Wooden Boats
.
Dry dock
A drydock is a narrow basin or vessel that can be flooded to allow a load to be floated in, then drained to allow that load to come to rest on a dry platform...
and repair operation in Seattle's Eastlake district. It is located near ZymoGenetics
ZymoGenetics
ZymoGenetics is a biotechnology/pharmaceutical company based in Seattle, Washington, involved in the development of therapeutic proteins.The company was founded in 1981 by Professors Earl W. Davie and Benjamin D. Hall of the University of Washington and 1993 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Michael...
, directly across from the Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation. It currently operates two large-scale submersible floating dry docks, as well as numerous shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
and repair facilities, all of which are located on the water.
Company history
Founded in 1919 as "Lake Union Dry Dock And Machine Works", Lake Union Dry Dock is amongst the oldest businesses still currently operating in Seattle. It retains the distinction of being the last remaining all-wooden dock in that City. In its earliest years the company was directly involved in the principle shipbuilding of numerous Roaring TwentiesRoaring Twenties
The Roaring Twenties is a phrase used to describe the 1920s, principally in North America, but also in London, Berlin and Paris for a period of sustained economic prosperity. The phrase was meant to emphasize the period's social, artistic, and cultural dynamism...
-era vessels, including the Principia, the Electra, and the M/V
Cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
'Catalyst.
World War II and Beyond
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the company shifted its focus to wartime production, becoming a major client for numerous naval contracts. This continues to this day, with clients such as the Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries is a passenger and automobile ferry service owned and operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation that serves communities on Puget Sound and in the San Juan Islands. It is the most used ferry system in the world and the largest passenger and automobile...
and NOAA. However, most of the company's principle work now centers around the maintenance and repair of large commercial cruise and fishing vessels. In recent times, as the Eastlake neighborhood began to lose its industrial status, the company has added private Yacht storage and mooring
Mooring
Mooring may refer to:* Mooring , any device used to hold secure an object by means of cables, anchors, or lines* Mooring mast, a structure designed to hold airships and blimps securely in the open when they are not in flight....
to its list of services, as well as leasing to a small plane tour company; also houseboat
Houseboat
A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a human dwelling. Some houseboats are not motorized, because they are usually moored, kept stationary at a fixed point and often tethered to land to provide utilities...
s are now a common sight alongside massive fish processing tankers and luxury liner
Luxury liner
Luxury liner may refer to:*Passenger ships with a high standard of accommodation, especially ocean liners*Luxury Liner , a 1977 album by Emmylou Harris*"Luxury Liner" , 1948 motion picture from MGM...
s. In recent years, the company has worked on vessels as varied as the Sea Shepard's Farley Mowat vessel, as well as historic restorations for the Center for Wooden Boats
Center for Wooden Boats
The Center for Wooden Boats is a museum dedicated to preserving and documenting the maritime history of the Pacific Northwest area of the United States. Unlike most other museums, at CWB the public is invited to touch the exhibits and explore maritime history first hand by rowing, paddling or...
.