Gig Harbor got its name during the 1841 U.S. Exploring Expedition commanded by Lt. Charles Wilkes. The longboat from “Porpoise” – one of Wilkes’ ships on the expedition – was used to chart the smaller harbors and bays. The longboat was also known as the captain’s gig. During the mapping process on the expedition, one small bay was given the name “Gig Harbor” – in reference to the "gig" which was used to explore the hidden bay. The photo here is a replica built in 1998 for the Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society.