(3:24 min.) (24 of 24) 24 Barge runs Barges were difficult to bring into port, had to judge waves and tides just right. On one trip to Unalakleet, men, women and children off-loaded supplies. In the 1940's the people of Unalakleet wanted...
(3:41 min.) (01 of 24) 01 Early life & family history Raised in Baltimore, MD. Life was tough so he went to sea. Traveled the world. Went to West coast because heard might make more money. In 1934, started with Alaska Steamship Co. ...
(4:00 min.) (20 of 24) 20 Purchasing agent
Nicky Jones was the purchasing agent, but he got too sick to do the job. They hired a replacement from Boeing. Buying for an airplane company was very different from buying for a ship. He quickly...
(4:35 min.) (20 of 24) 19 Labor negotiations
The steamship companies retained lawyers to negotiate. Alaska Steamship Co. had Bogo, Bogo and Gates to represent them. Some of the smaller companies would represent themselves. John had a good...
(4:45 min.) (22 of 24) 22 Matanuska Colony project
Assisted in shipping the Matanuska Colony. Some stuck it out; others only lasted a few weeks. The company shipped everything: buildings, concrete, and people. Sewick worked for the Alaska...
(4:48 min.) (09 of 24) 09 Food and health on-board the ship Beef served frequently and caused complaints. Sometimes it was the waiter's fault, sometimes it was the traveler's fault, and sometimes it was the sea. The nurse had to help lots...
(5:35 min.) (08 of 24) 08 Spring preparations. Rust preventation on ship. Liked to work on the SS Aleutian -- a nice ship and a fast one. Assistant Steward assisted passengers, cleaned cabins before the next passengers were brought aboard,...
(5:47 min.) (12 of 24) 12 Steward's duties
John explained how the Steward resupplied in port. Chief steward's responsibilities included personnel matters; alcoholism was sometimes a problem. Steward had to make out the requisitions and...
(5:54 min.) (16 of 24) 16 Passengers Dropped off Father Hubbard and his assistant, Sam Levenson [?] (later mayor of Irvine, CA). They climbed Mt. Katmai. Engine room boy served as alter boy. John Ford rode the ship; he was a good enough...
(6:26 min.) (15 of 24) 15 Deck Steward Deck steward arranged entertainment and kept the passengers happy with games. Wealthy lady from San Franciso had John Sewick fired. Dart's of Seattle stored the cars of passengers. John Sewick was...
May 9, 1903 THE FAIRBANKS MINER Fairbanks, Alaska 26 26.May 1903 Vol. 1. No. 1. James Wickersham Editor ORIGINAL of THE FAIRBANKS MINER Written by James Wickersham and typed by Geo. Jeffery at Fairbanks in May, 1903 & sold by Jeffery and Stevens...