Photo from around 1900.

Prvi od mnogih značajnih brodograditelja - Hrvata u Americi bio je Stjepan Babare iz Starigrada. Prvo brodogradilište osnovao je koncem godine 1890, a već 1913. sa sinovima Georgeom i Mickom proizvodi po jedan brod u dva dana. Tko je radio kod Babare u Tacomi, smatran je majstorom toga zanata.

The first notable Croat shipbuilder in U.S. was Stephen Babare from Starigrad. Stephen founded his first shipyard in the late 1890's with his sons George and Mick. By 1913 in their shipyard they produced one ship in two days. Anyone working at the Babare shipyard in Tacoma was considered to be a master of this craft.

Stjepan (Stephen) Babare, born in Starigrad in Croatia



Votive Chapel of Our Lady of Bistrica, photo by Vladimir Novak

Zavjetna kapelica Majke Božje Bistričke u američkom Narodnom Svetištu u Washingtonu, D.C., S.A.D.

Votive Chapel of Our Lady of Bistrica in the National Shrine, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

Votive Chapel of Our Lady of Bistrica, photo by Vladimir Novak

Centuries old Croatian Coat of Arms is at the top. The statue of Marija Bistrica, Queen of Croatia holding the Christ Child, was carved by notable Croatian-American sculptor Joseph Turkalj.

Votive Chapel of Our Lady of Bistrica, photo by Vladimir Novak

The mosaic roundels surrounding the statue are the designs of John de Rosen, executed by Venetian Art Mosaic of New York. The seven roundels, viewed from the bottom and proceeding clockwise are: St. Nicholas Tavelić and Bl. Ozana Kotorka; the baptism of a Croatian peasant (A.D. 640, i.e. in 7th century, symbolizing very early christianization of Croatians); Our Lady of Sinj; the Croatian coat-of-arms; Our Lady of Trsat (Our Lady of Grace); King Zvonimir (11th century); and Aloysius Cardinal Stepinac (d. 1960). The inscription on a mensa of the Portasanta marble altar translates: "Maria of Bistrica, pray for us." Archbishop Franjo Kuharić of Zagreb dedicated the chapels October 17, 1970. Source: Our Lady of Bistrica

Votive Chapel of Our Lady of Bistrica, photo by Vladimir Novak

Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac; Votive Chapel of Our Lady of Bistrica, photo by Vladimir Novak


Croatian King Zvonimir, 11th century; Votive Chapel of Our Lady of Bistrica, photo by Vladimir Novak

Votive Chapel of Our Lady of Bistrica, photo by Vladimir Novak

Please, go to the next page below.