Society of Port Engineers (SOPE) History

Beginnings: Society of Port Engineers (SOPE) of Puget Sound

The Society of Port Engineers of Puget Sound was organized and founded in 1946. This coincided with the opening of SOPE branches in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, as steamship and other marine operations normalized, following World War II.

The first organizational SOPE meeting was hosted by Log Magazine, Alex Stewart, Northwest Editor, in Seattle, on 7 November 1946. Thirty-two marine superintendents and port engineers were invited; seventeen were able to attend. The organizational concepts of the San Francisco and New York societies, and details of the By-Laws, were given by Frank Smith, of American Mail Line, a Charter Member of the San Francisco Society; Merle Johnson, of the Olympic S/S Company in Seattle; and Ross Marble, the Advertising Manager at The Log Magazine.

Discussion at this meeting indicated a desire for greater flexibility in membership requirements than that adopted at the San Francisco and New York societies. At the suggestion of Ross Marble, an ad hoc organization was set up to investigate the concept of a Puget Sound Society. The following temporary Board of Governors was elected: Frank Howard, American Mail Line, as President; Jack Hearing, Alaska Transportation Company, as Vice President; and Joe Sweetin, James Griffiths and Sons, as Secretary Treasurer. Mickey Felton, of Alaska Steamship Company, was elected Chairman. They met at Pier 51 (at Alaska Steamship Company) on 19 November 1946 to consider and discuss information received about the San Francisco Society and New York Society.

A third meeting was scheduled for 22 November, to again review information from other societies, but this was rescheduled to 29 November. Just ten people attended, disappointing in light of the initial enthusiasm shown a few weeks earlier. The attendees reviewed the first draft of a SOPE of Puget Sound Constitution and By-Laws. However, this draft was not accepted, and the officers and Board of Governors were instructed to submit a new draft, which would, among others, allow greater flexibility in membership.

On 11 December 1946, the third SOPE meeting was held, with 37 attendees, a sharp increase. All attendees expressed approval of the new draft definition of the SOPE’s mission and functions, as indicated in the meeting notice. Thirty-four initiation fees, at $5.00 each, were collected at this meeting. The first Regular SOPE Meeting was scheduled for early January 1947, at which time permanent officers, serving on one-year terms, would be elected.

This first Regular Meeting was held at the College Club on 14 January 1947. The By-Laws, as approved by the temporary Board of Governors, were adopted. At this meeting Joe Sweetin was elected President, Frank Howard was elected Vice President, and Alex Stewart was elected Secretary Treasurer.

On the occasion of the third Regular (now monthly) Meeting on 12 March 1947 the Charter Member rolls were closed with 72 paid initiations. As of August 2003, two charter members, Frank Gallagher and Fred Zumdieck, were still active in the organization.

The first organizational SOPE meeting was hosted by Log Magazine, Alex Stewart, Northwest Editor, in Seattle, on 7 November 1946. Thirty-two marine superintendents and port engineers were invited; seventeen were able to attend. The organizational concepts of the San Francisco and New York societies, and details of the By-Laws, were given by Frank Smith, American Mail Line, a Charter Member of the San Francisco Society; Merle Johnson, Olympic S/S Company in Seattle, and Ross Marble, Advertising Manager of the Log Magazine.

Discussion at this meeting indicated a desire for greater flexibility in membership requirements than that adopted by San Francisco and New York. At the suggestion of Ross Marble, an ad hoc organization was set up to investigate the concept of a Puget Sound Society. The following temporary officers were elected: Frank Howard, American Mail Line, as President; Jack Hearing, Alaska Transportation Company, as Vice President; and Joe Sweetin, James Griffiths and Sons, as Secretary Treasurer.

These officers were charged with the responsibility of gathering information to present at a meeting on 22 November 1946. The Temporary Board of Governors, including Mickey Felton, Alaska S/S Co., acting as Chairman, met at Pier 51 (at Alaska S/S Company) on 19 November 1946 to consider and discuss information received about the San Francisco Society and New York Society.

The second meeting was rescheduled and held on 29 November 1946, but only ten attended. It was a rather disheartening experience in light of the initial enthusiasm shown a few weeks earlier. However, consideration was given to the first draft of a Constitution and By-Laws, which was rejected. The officers and Board of Governors were instructed to submit another draft which would allow a broader spectrum of Regular Membership.

On 11 December 1946 the meeting attendance was 37 persons. All attendees expressed the wish to continue with the organization of the Society as outlined in the meeting notice. Thirty-four initiation fees, at $5.00 each, were collected at this meeting. The first Regular Meeting was scheduled for early January 1947 at which time Regular officers would be elected.

The first Regular Meeting was held at the College Club on 14 January 1947. The By-Laws, as approved by the temporary Board of Governors, were adopted. At this meeting Joe Sweetin was elected President, Frank Howard was elected Vice President, and Alex Stewart was elected Secretary Treasurer.

On the occasion of the third regular meeting on 12 March 1947 the Charter Member rolls were closed with 72 paid initiations. As of August 2003, two charter members, Frank Gallagher and Fred Zumdieck, were still active in the organization.

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We are an organization to develop cooperative spirit and friendship among Members, to be of mutual assistance to each other, and to promote and protect the interests and welfare of The American Merchant Marine.