Pictured: the Samson Mariner Photo by: Dirk Septer

(Baggen Tug and Barge Company Incorporated)

The Samson Tug and Barge company was founded as a horse and cart operation called the Baggen Transfer Company. Founded by, George Baggen Sr. he based the company in Juneau, Alaska. The company specialized in the deliverey of materials and goods to mining camps.

In 1937, Baggen and his son George Baggen Jr. Founded the Samson Tug and Barge Company with a single tug. Providing freight hauling services throughout southeast Alaska. The fleet expanded in the 1950's. And, the company began hauling freight and a variety of cargo between southeast Alaskan communities.

By 1960, Sitka, Alaska was home to the Alaska Pulp Corporation. The mill employed in excess of three hundred people. The Samson Tug and Barge provided log raft, and chip barge towing to the plant for twenty years.

In the 1980's, the company was awarded the military contract for freight services to Adak, Alaska. With the addition of even more boats, and barges capable of transporting massive volumes of freight and fuel enabled the Samson Tug and Barge Company to service a route which encompassed the entire pacific rim of Alaska.