Vashon Heritage Museum (Out of Many, One display)

Olivebank at Dockton Drydock

This 1898 photo, by Oliver Scott Van Olinda, shows the 4-masted bark, Olivebank, dry docked at Dockton. She was built in 1892. This was not her first time visiting the Puget Sound. The Olivebank continued sailing until 1939, when, at the outbreak of WWII, she struck a mine in the Danish straits, rending her in two. Only 7 of her 21 crew survived.

How it represents the community’s American experience:

The photograph represents Vashon’s American experience in several ways. It shows how globally connected even a small island like Vashon is. Through immigration, war, trade, and culture, America has always been tied to the wider world. That openness to people and ideas from everywhere is part of what makes us American. Additionally, Vashon is an island. Building ships and docks that allow the delivery of goods to the island is an important and beautiful part of our history. Dockton’s maritime economy drew immigrants from all over the world, particularly Croatia and Norway. Many island families are descendants of these workers.

On display at the Vashon Heritage Museum, Wednesday–Sunday, 1–4 p.m. January–December 2026.