The Hawk

This was the setnet delivery station for Red Salmon Canning Company's setnetters for many years. It just ran between Naknek Point and the cannery. Loaded, it held about 10,000 reds. Mike Gillis of Whidbey Island, WA, captained it for many years. Red Salmon always had a anchored tally scow in deeper water parallel to where the Hawk was stationed. During WWII, the Hawk was also used by the military, while building Naknek Army Base. It was then captained by Fred Grindle Sr. along with his wife, Madrona.

The Hawk was originally powered by a large Hall-Scott gasoline engine which sat on deck, inside the cabin, taking up most of the space. The propeller shaft was below, in the hull, and driven by the engine through a large chain drive assembly. The Hall-Scott was later replaced by a much smaller Gray Marine gas engine of a little more horsepower. This took up much less space in the cabin. It made a lot of trips, taking crews upriver to catch flights from King Salmon in the spring and fall of the years prior to the road being built. The Hawk drew but a few feet of water, as the propeller was in an extended tunnel . It was quite slow but ideal for the King Salmon run.

©Photo by the Monsen Family Collection

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