Birchfield Boiler Inc.; interior shots of the largest boilers built on the coast. Worker seems diminutive beside the massive boilers. These two are the largest of their type ever built on the west coast. They are modern school house boilers designed and built for Yakima Junior and Senior High School. Each is 18 feet high, rated at 400 horse power and weighs 15 tons. (TNT 9/3/1956)

Boiler industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

Birchfield Boiler Inc.; interior shots of the largest boilers built on the coast. These two were a pair of modern school house boilers designed and built by Birchfield for Reynolds High School in Troutdale, Oregon. They were fully automatic and rated at over 300 horsepower each. Each boiler weighed over 15 tons. (TNT 9-3-1956)

Boiler industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

This huge condenser was one of a pair fabricated in the Birchfield Boiler shops, at 2503 E. 11th St., for installation in the St. Regis plant. Each condenser, the largest ever built in Tacoma and among the largest built in the Northwest, weighed more than 15 tons. They were manufactured of stainless steel and were 22 feet long and 6 feet high. Each was valued at $25,000. The condensers were used to recover waste heat from the pulp digesters. (TNT 3/13/1955, pg. B-17)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boilers; Boiler industry--Tacoma; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Birchfield Boiler; heat exchanger and casing. This huge condenser is one of a pair manufactured by Birchfield Boiler for the St. Regis Paper and Pulp plant. The condenser is used to recover waste heat from pulp digesters. Because they come in contact with corrosive substances, the tubes are stainless steel. There are 1184 of them, more than 3 1/2 miles of tubing in each unit. The shells and ends are made of 1 1/2 inch steel plate. Each condenser was valued at $25,000. (TNT 3/13/1955, pg. B-17)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boilers; Boiler industry--Tacoma; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Birchfield Boiler is producing three mammoth boilers, in addition to the standard sized heating and power boilers; the company also produces steel constructed ships. View of E. E. Smith (top) and Oscar Hagin (bottom) welding one of the largest boilers ever to have been made by an American manufacturer. This steel boiler is seven feet 2 inches wide, and 13 feet 4 inches long; shipping weight for the boiler will be 23,400 pounds (T. Times, 1/23/49, p. 31).

Boilers; Boiler industry--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Welding--Tacoma; Metalworking--Tacoma; Iron & steel workers--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

In August of 1942, a small group of war heroes, on a nation wide tour, visited Tacoma to speak to the shipyard workers at Birchfield Boiler, Inc., 2503 E. 11th St., and the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. During the war years, in addition to boilers, Birchfield also built ships. The four servicemen who came to Tacoma were: Pierre Rodriques (second from left), a French army private who escaped just before the fall of France; George Matthews (third from left), a British sailor; Victor Haggith (fourth from left), a 15-year-old British merchant marine sailor who had survived two torpedoed ships; and John Smith (fourth from right), a U.S. sailor. Standing in the middle of the group is Alvin T. Davies, the president of Birchfield Boiler, Inc. The other four men in this photograph are not identified. (T. Times 8/11/1942 p.14)

Boiler industry--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Davies, Alvin T.;

On August 10, 1942, a group of war heroes were scheduled to speak at Birchfield Boiler Inc. A large crowd has gathered to hear the speakers and an automobile with a public address system and horns on the roof is parked out front. During World War II, Birchfield also built boats and held several contracts for steel tugs. Three tugboats can be seen in the background: Port Discovery, Port Ludlow and Port Blakeley. Birchfield was located on the Port Piers, next to Western Boatbuilding.

Boiler industry--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

In August of 1942, Birchfield Boiler Co. was honored with a visit by a group of war heroes. Five men pose at the company with an American flag in the background. They are, left to right, U.S. sailor John Smith, Pierre Rodriques, a French army private, Victor Haggith, a 15 year old British Merchant Marine, an unidentified man and Birchfield owner Al Davies. During World War II, Birchfield constructed ships, specializing in steel tugboats. (T. Times 8/11/1942 p.14)

Boiler industry--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Davies, Alvin T.;

Birchfield Boiler has been at this location since March 1921. Other than their famous boilers they also manufacture hot water heating equipment, steel piping, tanks, stacks and breechings. They have enlarged their plant in order to meet the higher demands and during the war they assisted the boat and ship industry in government orders. View of large boiler tank at plant.

Boiler industry--Tacoma; Boilers; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

Birchfield Boiler launching party. Birchfield Boiler was about to launch the third steel tuna clipper in a fleet of four on May 24, 1946. The steel tuna clipper was built for Al Davies. Left to right view of Mary K. Northstrom, sponsor of "Hull 38" and Margaret Casperson, matron of honor (T. Times, 5/29/46, p. 5). TPL-8904

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Northstrom, Mary K.; Casperson, Margaret;

Alvin T. Davies was President of Birchfield Boiler, they built boilers, specialized in all kinds of steel construction, and had built small ships during World War II. Birchfield has just started producing a new line of Scotch high pressure steam boilers. These boilers will be used at laundries, bakeries, dairies, cleaning and pressing establishments. Standing left to right, Paul Reed, Joseph Lamar, Melvin Grant, Charles Tuttle, Harold Lee and Arthur Nero; inside of boiler is George Whitman; kneeling left to right, Ernest Hartwick and Raymond G. Harvey (T. Times, 12/22/47, p. 10).

Boiler industry--Tacoma; Boilers; Laborers--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

Scotch Boiler for Industrial Page, Birchfield Boiler, Mr. Kinton. Birchfield Boiler began production of high-pressure, scotch type industrial boilers for the western and Alaska market. Workmen are shown putting the finishing touches on units of varying sizes designed for dairies, bakeries, laundries and similar small plants requiring large amounts of ready steam. The boilers were built for two working pressures: 100 and 125 pounds. Horsepower ratings ran from 7 to 36 and the boilers could be fired by solid fuel, oil or gas. Ralph Kenton, chief engineer, personally directed the design of these new boilers which had formerly only been available from eastern manufacturers. (T.Times, 3/1/1948, p.3)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boilers; Boiler industry--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Birchfield Boiler Company was currently working on cutting steel for the construction of a new fishing boat, a 57 foot seiner, "Alaska Limit". Birchfield was expanding their shipbuilding and conversion department. View of workman using machinery manufactured by Rud Engineering Company at Birchfield Boiler Company, possibly for new fishing boat (T. Times, 6/21/48, p. 5).

Boiler industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma; Machinery; Rud Engineering Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

Birchfield Boiler Incorporated, 2503 East 11th St., completed a 47 foot, all steel tuna hull for Alfred O. and Robert E. Erickson, local Tacoma fishermen, in July of 1948. Birchfield was in the process of expanding their shipbuilding and ship conversion department. After the hull was christened, the Erickson family celebrated on the desk of their new fishing boat. Birchfield Boiler's maintenance and electric shop can be seen in background.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishermen--Tacoma; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Erickson--Family;

Local Tacoma fishermen, Robert and Alfred Erickson, had a new 47 foot all steel tuna hull, built by Birchfield Boiler. Robert was married to Jean and lived at 3816 South Cushman Avenue; Alfred was married to Ragna and lived at 1221 Ridgewood Avenue. View of unidentified woman, possibly Jean or Ragna, christening the new tuna hull, Birchfield Boiler's plant and shops in background.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishermen--Tacoma; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Erickson--Family;

ca. 1952. Two boilers manufactured by Birchfield Boiler, Inc. of Tacoma. The company, located at 2503 E. 11th St., opened in 1921 on the Tideflats as the "first industry in Tacoma to lease land from the port commission." Besides the firm's well-known Birchfield Boilers, they also built steel ships and other steel construction including tanks, hot water heaters, pipes and stacks. Birchfield Boiler, Inc. was owned by Alvin T. Davies.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boilers; Boiler industry--Tacoma;

A view of the galley aboard "Libby No. 10" built by Birchfield Boiler. This narrow galley provides the required equipment for the two officers and four crewmen while at sea. A sink and metal counter are shown on the left with a cook stove and refrigerated storage area on the right. A table with benches lining the walls of the boat is seen at the back. Ordered by Bob Dorrim.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Galleys (Ship kitchens)

Libby No. 10 is tied up to the dock at Birchfield Boiler next to another of the "Libby"s. The fishing boats were typical Alaska seiners with dimensions of 48 feet by 14 feet 6 inches, with a 5-foot draft. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, July 28, 1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Libby No. 9, 10 and 11 are tied up, side-by-side, at Birchfield Boiler. Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle liked these seiners because they had better capacity and lower maintenance costs than other fishing boats. One of the outstanding features of a Birchfield-built boat was the fact that the inside of the cargo hold was completely smooth. The cork insulation was covered over and there was no place for the fish to bruise or for fish oils to accumulate. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A view of the starboard side of "Libby No. 10" at Birchfield Boiler. Birchfield Boiler built five seiners, a small steel power scow and a steel gillnetter for Libby over a period of several years. This seiner has a powerful seine winch at the back. The vessels would sleep six men - two officers and 4 crewmen. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, 7/28/195l)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A view of the helm on "Libby No. 10" at Birchfield Boiler. The chain linking the helm with the rudder is clearly visible. Birchfield Boiler, Inc., delivered three new Libby boats to Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle. As of July 1951 the company built five of the steel seiners for Libby. The fishing boats were well equipped with Onan generators from the Fremont Electric Company, Seattle. They also had automatic controls and switchboards from Fremont. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960; Helms;

Birchfield Boiler company were builders of all steel welded vessels of all types and designs. Birchfield fabricated the steel used in their ship building and also specialized in ship repairs and conversions. View of Birchfield Boiler built "Situk", a 48 foot by 16 foot by 28 inch power scow built for Libby McNeill and Libby.

Barges--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

Birchfield Boiler company were builders of the famous "Birchfield Boiler", they also specialized in building tanks, hot water heaters, pipes, stacks and various types of vessels. Birchfield Boiler, Inc. was located on 2503 East 11th Street in Tacoma's tideflats area; the plant was on the Port Industrial Waterway, now known as the Blair Waterway. View of Birchfield Boiler built "Situk", a 48 foot by 16 foot by 28 inch power scow built for Libby McNeill and Libby.

Barges--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);