The Man Who Wanted to Insure the Sound: London’s Lloyd’s Agent Eyes Seattle
A representative from the world's oldest marine insurance firm arrives in Seattle, arguing that Puget Sound is safer than British waters and ready for a new branch.
The story, cleaned up
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Mr. W. T. Rhodes, of London, a representative of Lloyd's, is at the Rainier Hotel. He has come to the coast for the purpose of looking for a chance to get up a connection for a marine insurance business with agents in London.
He has been in San Francisco, Portland, and Tacoma and has met with some men. He intends to remain on the coast for a year and, on returning to England at the end of that time, may return with the intention of remaining indefinitely.
In an interview with a reporter Mr. Rhodes said: "Years ago Lloyd's had no insurance on Puget Sound; now we have many risks, probably equal in amount to those we have in British Columbia, principally on lumber vessels. Lloyd's, as you probably know, is the largest and oldest marine insurance firm in existence. Lloyd's has always been afraid of the Sound, because you have no anchorage. Yet we have not had any great disaster here, the worst being near two years ago a schooner ashore last Christmas. The sound is well sheltered, the shore is sandy and I doubt if you will ever have a disaster. Have I been very long about this country may say for a long time."
In 1890, Seattle was still fighting its reputation as a dangerous port for shipping, with few insurers willing to cover the risks of the Pacific Northwest. Today, that same Puget Sound is a critical artery for global trade and a focal point for environmental and maritime safety regulations, proving that the region's economic identity has always been tied to its waters.
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