Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
D8995-1
Date(s)
- 1939-10-19 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This October 19, 1939 photograph shows the Paul Satko family on the boat they built, "The Ark," before leaving Tacoma for Alaska. The 40 foot, 8 feet wide "Ark" has a tall, narrow wheelhouse on top of the deck. The Satko family drew national attention as the modern day Noah placed the frame of his homemade boat on a $10 truck and drove across the country from Virginia to Tacoma with the firm intention of voyaging to Alaska. The unemployed 49-year-old welder had plans to homestead in Alaska. On the deck with Mr. Satko and wife Molly are believed to be one of his older sons, either 17-year-old Edward or 15-year-old Joe, and two younger children, possibly Billy, age 7, and Betty, 4. The Satkos were a family with seven children in 1939; by the time of Mr. Satko's death at age 68, the family had increased by five. The Satkos' Alaskan adventure would only last about five years; after the war, they went back to Richmond, Virginia, but Mr. Satko and part of the family returned to Tacoma in 1950. Mr. Satko would resume work as a steamfitter and welder.
Satko, Paul; Satko, Paul--Family; Satko, Molly; Boats--Tacoma--1930-1940;