Star of Kodiak: Kodiak’s Waterfront Landmark with a Wartime Past
The imposing gray hull of the Star of Kodiak stands out along Kodiak’s downtown waterfront. You can spot it from land, sea, or air. To many locals, it feels like it has always been here.
But the Star of Kodiak has not always called Kodiak home. The ship arrived in 1965. It helped rebuild Kodiak’s seafood industry after the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake and Tsunami destroyed many waterfront canneries.
A Ship That Helped Kodiak Rebuild
Kodiak’s fishing economy faced major losses after the tsunami. Community leaders and seafood companies worked quickly to restore processing capacity. The Star of Kodiak became one piece of that recovery.
Today, many visitors see the ship as a harbor landmark. Its story also reflects Kodiak’s resilience and working waterfront culture.
Meet the Ship: The Last Liberty Ship Ever Built
Before Kodiak, the ship carried a different name: Albert M. Boe.
Builders constructed the vessel in Portland, Maine, during World War II. They launched her on September 26, 1945. She became the last of the famous Liberty Ships, a fleet designed to move supplies across war zones.
The ship honored Albert M. Boe, a Merchant Marine crewman. He died fighting an engine room fire that threatened his crew. The U.S. Maritime Commission later awarded him the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal, the service’s highest honor.
From Wartime Cargo Carrier to Kodiak Cannery
Because the Albert M. Boe launched near the war’s end, she served a short time in military use. After the war, Zidell Explorations chartered the ship. The company operated her through the Military Sea Transportation Service.
In 1954, the government took her back. Officials later sold her for scrapping in Portland, Oregon. Kodiak nearly lost the ship’s story right there.
Instead, Zidell purchased her again in 1964. The company renamed her the Star of Kodiak. Zidell and the Alaska Packers Association then brought her north. By 1965, she operated in Kodiak as a floating fish cannery.
The Star of Kodiak Today
The Star of Kodiak still anchors Kodiak’s working waterfront. Ownership has changed in recent years.
In December 2024, Pacific Seafood completed its acquisition of Trident Seafoods’ Kodiak processing operations. The purchase included the Star of Kodiak facility, along with the Alkod and Kodiak Near Island plants.
A Floating Monument to Kodiak’s Resilience
The Star of Kodiak represents more than a ship. She tells a story of endurance. She also shows how Kodiak rebuilt after disaster and adapted through change.
You can see her from the road, the harbor, or the sky. Wherever you view her, the Star of Kodiak remains part of Kodiak’s living history.
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