The Way We Were

In the Sentinel 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago.

Aug. 22, 1912: While steaming southward off Pt. Baker early last Friday morning, the big steamer Mariposa of the Alaska Steamship Company's fleet struck an uncharted rock but miraculously escaped serious damage. Several trollers fishing nearby who were eyewitnesses to the Mariposa's mishap report she struck with great force, rising high on the rock and swinging partially around, then sliding off sideways. The fishermen for miles around were aroused by the shock of the ship and had the damage been so great to cause the ship to founder, there would have been scores of fish boats immediately at hand to offer assistance in landing the passengers. The ship's pumps were started as quickly as possible and after a short delay her engines were started and she proceeded on her way.

Aug. 20, 1937: Henry Bowman's new seiner Tiny Boy was swamped last night after it struck a rock in Affleck Canal near Pt. Decision. The accident happened about 6 p.m. The boat listed on the rock the greater part being submerged in water. Mrs. Andy Bakke was in the galley at the time and a tea kettle of boiling water tipped over on her as well as the hot grease from a roast in the Dutch oven on the stove, burning her painfully from hip to ankle on both legs. She was in the salt water about fifteen minutes before being picked up by a seiner, which saw the accident and came at once to the scene. Bowman's crewmembers were Charles Powers, Andy Bakke, Lyle Hibner and Marion Goodrich. His eight-year-old son Henry Jr., was asleep in the pilothouse when the boat struck. He was able to get out the port on the high side and one of the men took him off. Most fortunately all the men were on deck or in the pilothouse and no one was below on the down side of the boat where escape would have been very difficult.

Aug. 17, 1962: A reception for Mrs. M.S. Watt of Scotland, believed to be the first white child born in Wrangell, is planned by the Chamber of Commerce for August 28, it was announced at the Chamber luncheon meeting yesterday. Entertainment committee, headed by James Evans, was authorized to make arrangements. Mrs. Watt was born in Wrangell before the turn of the century as Mary Etoline McKinnon, the family for whom McKinnon Street is named. In a letter from her son, James Watt, he says that three generations of women in the family bear the name Etoline in memory of Etolin Island. He goes on to say, “My mother has, as far as I know no documentary souvenirs of Wrangell, or Alaska, but she preserved carefully such tangible links as a silver spoon engraved 'Wrangel' with what may be a fish eagle worked in the handle; ebony totem poles, some 14 inches high; carved horn spoons with engraved ladle-bowls; an oil-painting of a local bay scene; bear teeth; gold nugget bracelets and a large nugget brooch; a spoon with a miner's pan, studded with gold flecks and surmounted by a crossed pick and shovel on the handle.”

Aug. 20, 1984: Blue balloons, free donuts, pizza samples and sale prices…and a segment of Wrangell history came alive last week as Benjamin's Supermarket celebrated its 75th anniversary. The store, founded in 1912 by Charles Benjamin, has been operated in Wrangell through three generations of the family. Originally located at the building now occupied by LaDonna's, Benjamin's was a grocery and general store for Wrangellites for many years. Charles Benjamin was active in the store management until nearly 1939 when he died and his son Lloyd Benjamin took over the business. Lloyd and Clara Benjamin led the store into the modern age, moving the business to Outer Drive and a new building in 1972.