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KARLYN
Pictured as: the Elf (Earl Van Diest) Photo by: Unknown

Built in 1902 by Crawford and Reid Shipyard of Tacoma, Washington as the Elf for the Olson Towing Company.

In 1916, she was acquired by the Foss Tug and Launch of Tacoma, Washington. Where she was renamed as the Foss No. 15.

In 1970, she was reacquired by the Olson Towing Company where she was renamed again as the Elf.

The tug was then acquired by Tate Towboat Company of Poulsbo, Washington where she was renamed as the Karlyn.

She was later renamed as the Skookum Cache where she was involved with the construction of the Bangor Submarine Station.

In 1989, she was acquired by Karen and Earl VanDiest where she was renamed
as the Elf.

She is powered by a 360 horsepower V12 Caterpillar D386 engine.


  • Vessel Name: KARLYN
  • USCG Doc. No.: 136985
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Fishery, Registry
  • Call Sign: WA5097
  • Hull Material: WOOD
  • Ship Builder: CRAWFORD AND REID SHIPYARD
  • Year Built: 1902
  • Length: 63.1
  • Hailing Port: TACOMA, WA.
  • Hull Depth: 6.5
  • Hull Breadth: 15.9
  • Gross Tonnage: 39
  • Net Tonnage: 26
  • Owner:
    EARL VAN DIEST JR.
    1001 SOUTH MYERS
    PO BOX 65176
    TACOMA, WA 98464-1176
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Elf, Foss No. 15, Elf, Karlyn
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Olson Towing Company, Foss Tug and Launch, Olson Towing Company, Tate Towboat Company, EARL VAN DIEST JR.