James Griffiths & Sons, Inc.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping, Shipbuilding |
| Founded | 1885 |
| Founder | Captain James Griffiths |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
Area served | United States, Pacific Northwest, West Coast |
Key people | Captain James Griffiths, Stanley Griffiths, Bert Griffiths |
| Products | Merchant shipping services, shipbuilding (cargo ships, tugs, minesweepers) |
James Griffiths & Sons, Inc. was established in 1885 in Seattle, Washington by Captain James Griffiths (1861–1943). Originally from Newport, Wales, Griffiths initially served as an agent for the Japanese shipping company NYK Line. Alongside his sons Stanley and Bert, he expanded the enterprise. In 1936, the firm collaborated with the Olympic Steamship Company to form the Consolidated Olympic Company, which operated the Olympic-Griffiths Line connecting Long Beach, California, Seattle, and Tacoma, Washington. Among their principal vessels was the 7,216-ton cargo ship SS Olympic Pioneer, primarily used to transport lumber and newsprint, supplemented by chartered vessels.
James Griffiths shipyard
In 1916, James Griffiths took ownership of the shipyard known as Winslow Marine Railway and Shipbuilding Company located on Bainbridge Island, Washington, within the Puget Sound region. This facility played a significant role during World War II by producing Auk- and Admirable-class minesweepers. The company divested this shipyard in 1948.
World War II
Throughout World War II, James Griffiths & Sons, Inc. contributed to the U.S. wartime logistics by operating merchant marine ships under contracts with agencies such as the United States Shipping Board, Maritime Commission, and War Shipping Administration. They managed Liberty and Victory ships staffed by their own crews while U.S. Navy Armed Guards operated defensive weaponry and communications equipment aboard these vessels. This wartime engagement expanded their operational capacity and strengthened their position within maritime shipping logistics.
James Griffiths & Sons, Inc. vessels
- Liberty ship James A. Drain (formerly Olympic Pioneer), acquired in 1947 and sold in 1962
- Cargo ship Griffson, 2,259 tons, constructed in 1916 at Winslow Marine Railway & Shipbuilding Company
- Cargo vessel Anyox, 1,287 tons, built in 1917 by Winslow Marine Railway & Shipbuilding Company
- Yacht Sueja III, 179 tons, launched in 1926 at Winslow Marine Railway & Shipbuilding Company; renamed Salvage Queen (1941), later Sheng-Li (1946), lost in 1948
Liberty ships operated
- Edmond Mallett
- Edward A. MacDowell
- Nicholas J. Sinnott
- Rufus W. Peckham
- William Cullen Bryant
Victory ships operated
- Douglas Victory
Ships constructed under Captain James Griffiths
Between 1919 and 1947, the following ships were built:
| Ship Name | Client | Vessel Type | Tonnage | Year Completed | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reta | Felix R. Shoer | Fishing vessel | 8 | 1919 | |
| Griffson | Norton Clapp | Schooner | 2,259 | 1920 | |
| Sueja III | Capt. James Griffiths | Yacht | 179 | 1926 | Later renamed Mariner III |
| Quillayute | Sound Ferry Line | Ferry | 728 | 1927 | |
| Chahunta | Lincoln County Logging | Tugboat | 101 | 1928 | |
| Brown Bear | US Fish & Wildlife Service | Survey vessel | 1934 | Transferred to US Navy in 1942 as YP 197; returned in 1946 | |
| Gary Foss | Foss Launch & Tug Company | Tugboat | 63 | 1935 | |
| A J No. 3 / No. 4 / No. 5 | Bolivar S Equipment Co. | Freight barges | Approximately 271 each | 1935 | |
| E. B. Schley | Howe Sound Mining Company | Tugboat | 46 | 1937 | |
| Atlas | Ritchie Transportation | Freight barge | 118 | 1939 | |
| USS Pursuit (AM-108) and other minesweepers | United States Navy | Minesweepers | 850-1250 displacement tons | 1943-44 | Several vessels were renamed or reassigned after the war; all scrapped by late 1960s to early 1970s |
| YTL series yard tugs | United States Navy | Yard tugs | 70 displacement tons | 1945 | Sold or transferred internationally following wartime service |
This collection demonstrates a strategic focus on constructing a variety of vessels catering to both commercial enterprises and military contracts, facilitating company growth through partnerships with governmental and private clients.