New industry now building first boat for Alaskan work

“Whidbey’s newest industry, a boat building company in Freeland, is well on its way in construction of its first product, a 42-foot seiner being built for use in Alaska.

“Owners of the infant industry are Frank Nichols of Freeland and Jack Downing of Kirkland. Frank is the builder, with more than 40 years of experience behind him, and Jack is a fisherman with many years of experience in Alaskan fisheries. Their outfit is entitled “Nichols and Downing Boat Works.”

“Frank said that the 42-foot fishing boat now under construction was originally intended for use by his partner. However, even before construction started, it was purchased by George Seagrave of Valdez, Alaska. Seagrave lost his previous fishing boat in an earthquake which leveled Valdez last year.

“The all-steel fishing craft is to be completed no later than May of 1965.

“’By complete, I mean it will be ready to go,’ Frank said. ‘It will have radio, fathometer, automatic pilot, galley furniture, even the mattresses on the bunks. We’ll probably even buy the nets to ship up with the boat, although that isn’t in the contract.’”