This page is dedicated to shipbuilder John Kruse

Painted by Dorothy Kruse Irvin, John Kruse's granddaughter

Pictured above is The Western Shore, built in North Bend, Oregon in 1874 she was the fastest clipper ship of her time. Sailing from San Fransisco to Liverpool, England in 97 days. R.W. Simpson drew her sail plan, A.M. Simpson designed her hull, and John Kruse built her.

This is a list of Ships built by John Kruse

1865--Built at Umpqua City, OR his first 2-masted schooners: the WM.F.BROW and the PACIFIC

1868-- Completed a 2-masted schooner in Old North Bend, called the BLANKALATION

1869-- Completed a 3-masted barkentine the WEBFOOT

1872-- Completed a 2 masted schooner the GOTOMA and a 3-masted schooner the OREGONIAN

1874-- Built the WESTERN SHORE a full rigged ship which was launched on the 10 of October.

1875-- Completed the TOM O'SHANTER a 3-masted barkentine.

1876-- Completed the PORTLAND a 3 masted barkentine and the HAYES a 2 masted schooner in Gardiner City, OR.

1877-- Completed the NORTH BEND a 3 masted barkentine.

1878-- Completed the TRUSTEE a 3 masted schooner.

1881-- Completed the KLIKITAT a 3 masted barkentine, sold in San Francisco to the Puget Sound Commercial Co. He also completed the JAMES A GARFIELD a 3 masted schooner.

1882-- Completed the DARE a 3 masted schooner and the TROPIC BIRD a 3 masted barkentine.

1883-- Completed the HUNTER a steam bar tug and the BEDA a 3 masted schooner, it had a steam engine installed about 6 months after she was built.

1884--Completed the ASTORIA a steam bar tug and NOVELTY a small steamer.

1886-- The NOVELTY (built two Novelty's) was the first 4-masted schooner built on the Pacific Coast and rigged as a bald-headed schooner. He also completed the CRUISER a small steamer and the TRAVELER a steam bar tug.

1887-- Completed the SIGNAL a steam schooner and the RANGER a steam bar tug.

1889-- Completed the GARDINER CITY a 4-masted schooner, first rigged as a 3-masted barkentine, then it went to a 4-masted schooner and renamed KITSAP.

1890-- Completed the WILLIS R. HUME a 4-masted barkentine.

1891--Completed the ARAGO a 4-masted barkentine. The COLUMBIA a steam bar tug was launched in 1891 but not completed until 1892.

1892-- The NONONA a small 2-masted schooner was completed.

1894-- The OMEGA a 4-masted barkentine was rigged as a 4-masted schooner.

1895-- The ADDENDA a 4-masted barkentine was started by John Kruse, but he got sick and had to quit, so Emuil Herschendorff completed her.

1896--John Kruse died the 4th of Jan. in North Bend, Coos Co. OR.

more coming soon!

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I would also like to thank Marian Kruse Gazeley and Delores Kruse for information contained on this page