Meet Nate Slater: Shenandoah's New Shipwright

The has recently hired Nate Slater to lead the restoration project for the Shenandoah. Slater brings almost 20 years of experience to his new lead shipwright role. He has worked to rebuild several historic vessels, including Gig Harbor fishing boats and the Sea Scout vessels, Charles N. Curtis and Odyssey, according to the museum's announcement.

Slater grew up around a shipyard; his family owned Marine Industries Northwest in Tacoma. The shipyard was established in 1976 by his father, Don, and was recently sold to Vigor Marine.

In addition to his shipwright skills, Slater is an artist and sculptor. He earned his BA in Fine Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1991. He looks forward to bringing his artistic eye to the project, as well as interacting with museum visitors.  

“We are very excited to have Nate on board with this project,” says Vicki Blackwell, Museum Curator. “We know this restoring the Shenandoah is something the public has been anticipating, and we’re excited to get started.”

The Shenandoah was launched at the Skansie Ship Building Company in 1925. The 65-foot purse seiner was built for Gig Harbor fisherman Pasco Dorotich. In 2000 the vessel was gifted to the museum by long-time owner Tony Janovich. Stabilization of the boat was completed by Coastal Heritage Alliance in 2009. The goal of this first restoration phase is to provide visitor access to the deck and wheelhouse.

The Shenandoah Restoration Project is funded through a Washington State Capital Projects for Heritage grant.

Community involvement is one component of the project, which will provide volunteers the opportunity to work alongside Slater during restoration. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Vicki Blackwell, 253-858-6722 ext. 5 or email vicki@harborhistorymuseum.org.