On a quiet evening in July of 2024, the Coos History Museum and the Coos Bay community bid an unplanned farewell to the Welcome, a beloved member of the historic Mosquito Fleet, that had been a reminder of our region’s maritime heritage. After decades of service, the Welcome found a new role in retirement as an exhibit on museum property, offering visitors a tangible connection to the lives of those who worked on Coos Bay’s bustling waterways.
Built during an era when milk boats were crucial to connecting rural coastal communities with larger towns, the Welcome served as a lifeline, delivering dairy products, mail, and school children across the waters. This little boat, weathered yet resilient, stood as a testament to the hardworking people who lived and thrived along our shores. Generations of families passed by this artifact, imagining the countless journeys it made through thick fog and rolling waves, an unsung hero of coastal life.
In July, the Welcome was tragically lost to arson on museum grounds. The flames that consumed it were a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of history and the importance of preserving our cultural artifacts. For museum staff and the local community, it was a heartbreaking loss of a piece of Coos Bay’s past. Over the summer, community members were encouraged to share their stories and memories of the Welcome. Museum staff have collected these stories, along with several pieces of the Welcome, which will be featured in a future exhibit. Since then, museum personnel have collaborated with environmental and historical preservation experts to plan for the safe removal of the remains of the vessel.
In place of the beloved Welcome, the Coos History Museum and the City of Coos Bay are now focusing on the future by expanding the Coos History Museum Boardwalk. This project will honor the legacy of the Welcome by creating an inviting and accessible space for the community to gather, reflect, and connect with our local history along the scenic waterfront. With this new addition, we ensure that while the Welcome may be gone, its story and the maritime heritage it represented will continue to live on, reminding all who visit of the enduring spirit of Coos Bay.
