Follow the links in the photos on the right below to articles about Kodiak sea and air transportation through the years, from the Alaska Steamships in the 1940’s, airline journeys in the 1950’s, through Kodiak Airways and the “bush pilots” in the 1960’s.
All articles have an abundance of photos and have been checked by pilots and passengers, to give you as authentic an experience of transportation to, around, and out of Kodiak Island that I can provide. Please share with me your own stories, and especially point out any corrections or clarifications.
This revised index page features all updated articles, with scores of classic and
recent photos, including many newly-
Timothy Smith, Tanignak.com, March, 2020.
This postcard from around 1940, colorized by the author, shows the view of Kodiak that early steamship passengers would have seen when they first arrived. This is now the site of the ferry dock. Note the green roof of the Baranof Museum (then the Erskine House) in the upper right of the photo.
How to Get to Kodiak by Sea
The Old Steamships and Military Transports
CLICK ON The PHOTOS to the Right For Links to Articles
How to Get to Kodiak by Air
Aviation Then and Now
CLICK ON The PHOTOS to the Right For Links to Articles
A (True) Cautionary Tale:
How NOT to Visit Port Lions
CLICK ON The PHOTO to the Right For Link to Article
How to Get to Kodiak:
The Grand Old Steamships –
A Short History of the Alaska Steamship Company in the 1940’s Using Old Letters and Scrapbooks
How to Get to Ouzinkie:
The M/V Cordova in 1945 –
A Continuation of “The Grand Old Steamships”, Using Old Letters and Scrapbooks
How to Get to Kodiak:
The Military Transports –
A Short History of Kodiak and its Military Transports such as the USNS Funston
How to Get to Kodiak:
Pacific Northern Airlines and The Lockheed Constellation
Stories of PNA and the “Connie” through the Experiences of Passengers, Workers, and Pilots
How to Get to Kodiak:
“Goose Stories”
Tales of Early and Recent Travels on the Grumman Goose, contributed by Pilots and Passengers
Dedicated to the Memory of Bob Hall, Founder of Kodiak Airways
How to Get to Kodiak:
More Amphibian Adventures!
Many of Kodiak’s Amphibians through the Years – Stories from Pilots and Passengers
Bob Hall, Bob Leonard, Vern Geriene, and others contributed Stories and Photos
How to Get to Kodiak:
Runways to Remember 1
Two-
Featuring Photos by Dirk Sundbaum
How to Get to Kodiak:
From Shore to Sky
Stories of Amphibians and Float Planes, From Lily Lake, the Kodiak Channel, and the New Seaplane Base on Near Island
Featuring Photos by Dirk Sundbaum
How to Get to Kodiak:
The Grumman Goose and Widgeon: Still Flying!
Recent Adventures from All Over, Featuring Two Veteran Kodiak Grumman Pilots
With Stories and Photos from Pilots Steve Harvey and Fred Ball
How Not to Visit Port Lions: a True, Cautionary Tale
The Author Shares a Misadventure From the Spring of 1971
With Photos From That Weekend Trip
How to Get to Kodiak INDEX
Articles Written by Timothy Smith from 1999 to 2015, Revised 2020
How to Get to Kodiak INDEX
Some of the oldest, most popular articles, with improved and expanded photos.
How to Get to Kodiak:
Runways to Remember 2
Two-
Featuring Photos by Dirk Sundbaum
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