This is our story of the ownership, restoration and operation of the Thelma S. (No. 224588). The vessel was originally built for Libby, McNiel, and Libby Cannery Co. at the Port Blakely shipyards in 1925. The naval architect was H.C. Hanson. She operated as a cannery tender from 1925 to 1958 in and around Bristol Bay Alaska.
The vessel was purchased by Horluck Transportation in 1958. Horluck transportation was one of the “mosquito fleet” ferry companies of the Puget Sound, owned and operated by my Great Grandmother, Captain Mary Lieseke. The m/v Thelma S operated for Horluck Transportation as a towboat, servicing the ferries during the 1960's and 1970's. She was also a commercial towboat operating for Sinclair Towing. Sinclair Towing and Port Orchard Marine Railway where owned and operated by my Grandfather, Captain Al Lieseke. Captain Lieseke operated the vessel as a commercial towboat on the inland waterways of the Puget Sound, the Pacific Coast, and Alaska from 1958 to 1996, when she was retired. Throughout her working career, Captain Lieseke performed extensive maintenance and restoration on the m/v Thelma S at the Port Orchard Marine Railway. My Grandfather maintained ownership of the vessel after his retirement and she was used recreationally until his passing in 2001.
Ownership of the Thelma S. was transferred to myself, Kris Auclair, and my father Kim in 2002. She was moved from the Port Orchard Marine Railway to Thompson Pile Driving.
After living aboard, and several haul outs and restoration projects at the Port Townsend shipyard, we ran her down the Pacific Coast and across the Columbia River bar to Portland Oregon. After arriving in Portland, she hosted my family and friends for my wedding. My wife Rebecca and I were married on her back deck, with the beautiful city skyline behind us. From 2005 until today, she has had extensive restoration work done, and made several trips from Portland to Astoria on the Columbia River.