Slowly the Charles N. Curtis was easing stern-first out into the channel of the Foss Waterway in Tacoma, Washington, departing for a trip with local high school students who were to conduct scientific tests enroute on Commencement Bay. Manning the controls on the bridge were two veterans of the ship. Working the ancient brass throttles on the starboard side was Tom Rogers, 82, assisted by Terry Paine, 80, at the helm.
“We’re getting set by a strong current,” Rogers reported, popping his head out of the side window to check for cross traffic and working the levers with an expert’s touch as Paine calmly worked the wheel. Thrusters? No, sir. This is old school.
Operating the 91-year-old boat that’s also known as Sea Scout Ship 110 is second nature to both men, who have a combined 125 years of service is docked. The boat, which does more than 150 trips a year, is run by volunteers who donate about 20,000 hours annually.