The 62 foot Indra IV was designed by Roger W. McAleen of Alexandria, VA and built in Tacoma by the Western Boat Building Company, 2505 E. 11th Street. She was taken out on Puget Sound for sea trials in August of 1959. The steel hulled craft weighed less then 20 tons and carried over 1,500 square feet of sails. Her hollow aluminum main mast was 79 feet high. With teak wood decks and mahogany cabins, the boat could sleep a total of 12 crew and passengers and cost $100,000. (TNT 7/19/1959, pg B-2, 7/22/1959, pg. 1) TPL-10,543

Sailboats; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma Boat Building launched MSC-277, a 145-foot minesweeper built for the Navy, on June 30, 1958, in Sitcum Waterway. During the early 1950's, Tacoma's shipbuilding companies had garnered several contracts to build vessels for the government. This wooden minesweeper, however, was the first to be formally launched in nearly two years by a Tacoma firm. Tacoma Boat Building was awarded a contract to build four minesweepers for the Navy at a cost of approximately $7 million. Since then, the firm had received contracts totaling $4.25 million for six more Navy craft. The ship's sponsor was Mrs. Guy Garland, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (TNT 6-27-58, A-1, TNT 6-29-58, B-2, TNT 7-1-58, A-6))

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

An employee of the Simmons Oyster Co. in Olympia stands on a wooden barge preparing to use his large fork to shovel the piles of oysters into a holding tank. His plywood craft is adjacent to the barge with a further assortment of tools on board. A Johnson motor guides the small boat. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Barges--Olympia; Oysters; Shellfish industry--Olympia; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Mansfield Corporation, located at 2928 South "K" St., were boat builders. An example of their boat construction was this Mansfield Custom Line pleasure craft on display at 2201 Pacific Avenue. It was either 16 feet or 20 feet long. This sleek model may have been a speed boat. Other boats can be seen dimly in the building's garage. Photograph ordered by Mansfield Corporation.

Mansfield Corporation (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Three men look intently at an Evinrude motor catalog in a 1958 photograph. They may be comparing the catalog to the new Evinrude model before them. Dangling flags are advertising a "dreamboat contest" sponsored by Evinrude where the winner would be able to choose his own boat and motor with a cash bonus thrown in. The contest would begin February 22 and end on March 23. The Evinrude motors were advertised as being safe, sound-sealed and quiet. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW television.

Boat engines; Boats; Signs (Notices);

The young girl uses the rudder to steer the small sailboat while controlling the sail with a rope. The small sailboat is just large enough for one. The girl appears to be heading into shore. The sailboat is the "Pipsqueak," designed by John Burroughs of Tacoma for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. It could be built from 2 panels of plywood in 2-3 evenings for a cost of around $30.00. Free plans were available, or patterns were available for $1.00. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B -10)

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

With the gaily striped sail blowing gently with the breeze, the young girl fastens it in preparation for taking the small sailboat out. The rudder and its control arm can be seen clearly at the rear of the ship. The girl wears a life jacket. Photographs ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. This sailboat, the "Pipsqueak," was designed for youngsters ages 6-10 to use in an enclosed area where adult supervision was available. The mast can be detached to convert it to a paddle boat. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B-10) TPL-8803

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

ca. 1956. A boy and girl erect a sail on a small childsize sailboat prior to taking it out on a summer day for a leisurely sail. Both children wear a life vest. The boy handles the sail while the girl loads an oar, in case the wind does not cooperate. Photograph ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The sailboat, named the "Pipsqueak," is 5 feet long, 33" wide and 15" deep; it weighs less than 50 pounds. It is designed for children ages 6-10 to sail alone in an enclosed area with adult supervision. Supervision was neccessary because a stiff wind would quickly carry the boat out to deeper water. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B-10) TPL-9510

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

Launching of the AM 504 with Foss tugboat. The AM 504 was the second of three 171 ft. minesweepers to be launched by Tacoma Boat Building. The ship was expected to be ready for delivery to the Tacoma Naval Station for outfitting in November of 1955. Mrs. Charles S. Weeks, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station, would be sponsor and her seven year old daughter June would be the flower girl. Cmdr. L.L. MacKinley, the Navy's resident supervisor of shipbuilding, would be the guest speaker. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. B-6) TPL-9246

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching of the AM 504, the second of three 171 foot minesweepers to be launched at Tacoma Boat Building. The keel was laid on the AM 504 October 25, 1953 and expected delivery to the Tacoma Naval Station for outfitting was November of 1955. On completion, the ship would be turned over to a foreign nation. Mrs. Charles S. Weeks, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station, would be the sponsor and her seven year old daughter June would be the flower girl. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. B-6)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The M.S.A. #491, a 171 foot minesweeper, was scheduled to be launched from the Bayview Shipyard, at the north end of East F St., on April 24, 1955 by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Co. It is the eighth of nine contracted 171 foot minesweepers to be launched. It will be named the U.S.S. Persistent. The keel was laid for the ship in June of 1954. (TNT 4/127/1955, pg. B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Dorothy (Mrs. M. Stanley) Erdahl serves as sponsor for the launching of the U.S.S. Persistent (A.M. #491) minesweeper, constructed by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. M. Stanley Erdahl was the current Port Commissioner and an ex-Navy officer who took the first YMS type minesweeper out of the Martinac yard in WWII. She would be assisted at the launching of the 171 ft. minesweeper by Sharon McCoy, daughter of Ed McCoy- Sumner High School's Director of Athletics, who would serve as flower girl. (TNT 4/17/1955, pg. B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Erdahl, Dorothy;

The platform is set up for the ceremonies attending the launch of the M.S.A. #491 (U.S.S. Persistent) at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. The ship poised on the ways rises above the bunting draped speakers' platform. Capt. Vernon B. Cole will be the principal speaker at the launch. Mrs. Dorothy Erdahl will be the sponsor and Sharon McCoy will be the flower girl. The Persistent is the eighth of nine 171 foot minesweepers to be launched by Martinac. Four of the ships have already been delivered. The keel of the Persistent was laid in June of 1954. (TNT 4/17/1955, pg. B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The launching of the USS Pledge, MSO 492, at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The minesweeper was the ninth of its class to be launched. M.S. Erdahl, Port Commissioner, was the Master of Ceremonies. Mrs. Theodore Ultsch did the christening assisted by Miss Janet Bruder, as the flower girl. The featured speaker was Rear Admiral Smoot, commander of the mineforce of the US Pacific Fleet. The launching was held in conjunction with the commissioning of the USS Conquest, Hull #488. (TNT 7/21/1955, pg. D-10

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

A crowd of spectators await the launching of the minesweeper #489, the U.S.S. Gallant, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding on the evening of June 4, 1954. Martinac Shipbuilding had received a contract to built nine 171-foot minesweepers for the Navy during the early 1950's. Those observing the launching heard Rear Adm. W.F. James, 13th Naval District medical officer, give the principal address. Mrs. Walter Meserole, daughter of J.M. Martinac, was the ship's sponsor. Music for the ceremony was provided by the McChord Air Force Band. (TNT 5-30-54, C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching of the minesweeper #489 by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Co.on June 4, 1954. The Martinac company had received a contract to construct nine 171-foot minesweepers for the Navy. The U.S.S. Gallant was the sixth of its type to be launched by Martinac. Its keel was laid in September, 1953; all work will be completed in about a year. Rear Adm. W.F. James, 13th Naval District medical officer, was the principal speaker at the ceremony. The sponsor was Mrs. Walter Meserole, daughter of J.M. Martinac. (TNT 5-30-54, C-12) TPL-8032

Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Indians and canoes Rutter G5.1-005

ca. 1886. Several long boats (Indian canoes) rest on the beach at about Fifth and Pacific in Tacoma in this photograph from the mid 1880s. Long boats could transport a whole family with supplies for a season of fishing. This group of boats is probably preparing to head upstream on the Puyallup River where members of the Puyallup tribe worked in the hop fields of the Puyallup Valley. The Puyallups are part of the Puget Sound Salish original peoples. They were hunters, gatherers and fishermen, although they inhabited permanent houses along the riverbanks and along the Sound. Salmon was their main food and figured strongly in their culture. Under the Treaty of Medicine Creek, the tribe ceded much of their territories but retained fishing rights. Rutter Collection TPL-564

Longboats--Tacoma--1890-1900; Indians of North America--Tacoma--1890-1900;

The passenger vessel "Chickawana" is dockside while passengers wait to depart on May 24, 1924. She was used to transport people from Dash Point to Tacoma and back again while mustering a speed of 10.5 mph. 75 passengers could fit on board and enjoy the fresh air and marine views. The passengers on this date consisted of the nine salesmen of the Younglove Grocery Co. (standing in left foreground on float) and store and factory employees of the firm. The salesmen were being honored with a cruise to Delano Beach where a chicken picnic lunch, games, buffet dinner and dancing in the lodge took place. The wholesale store and factory were closed all day so that all employees could attend this special event. The "Chickawana" traveled home in moonlight to cap a fun-filled day. G50.1-070 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-25-24, 8-E)

Passengers; Boats; Younglove Grocery Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Rowboat on display. This is believed to be a product of the Babare Mfg. Co., 3517 E. 11th St., as viewed on July 11, 1924. The Babare Bros. had moved their shipbuilding facilities to a site on along the Hylebos Waterway about 1920. G37.1-114

Rowboats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Standard Oil Co. service barge. The service station barge was in handy proximity to the Tacoma Yacht Club on this July day in 1924. Sailboat is close by. G49.1-013

Barges--Tacoma; Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Sailboats--Tacoma;

Engine room of the Steilacoom ferry as pictured on July 21, 1924. The 110-feet long ferry, dubbed "City of Steilacoom," was completed at the Skansie yards in Gig Harbor. She was designed to replace a ferry operating between Long Branch and Steilacoom and took her maiden voyage on April 13, 1924. The ferry was propelled by a Fairbanks-Morse semi-diesel type engine putting out 200 horsepower. Her engine room had auxiliary pumps, lighting plant and hot water heating plant. G66.1-094 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-13-24, A-11-article)

Boat engines; Ferries;

Photographer Marvin Boland's notes indicate that this is the "waiting room" for the Steilacoom ferry as pictured on July 21, 1924. Long wooden benches are positioned below windows and there appears to be a drinking fountain against one wall. Staircase leads below. G66.1-093

Ferries; Waiting rooms; Benches;

Aboard the "City of Steilacoom" ferry. This is believed to be the car holding area of the new ferry as pictured above on July 21, 1924. She had a 30-car capacity. The "City of Steilacoom" was designed to replace the present ferry operating between Long Branch and Steilacoom. She was 110-feet long with a 34-foot beam and could travel at 14 mph. G66.1-095 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-13-24, A-11-article)

Ferries;

Solta The small fishing boat, the "Solta," cruises through the serene waters of Puget Sound in June of 1921. The unidentified man pictured above may be her skipper. The "Solta" was built by Visko Lisicich and was the first of three boats built by him. The others were the "Planet" and the "Helen L." The "Solta" was named after the island of Solta where Mr. Lisicich was born and raised. She was believed to have been built in Dockton on Vashon Island. In addition, the "Helen L." was named after Mr. Lisicich's daughter, Helen Lisicich Kokich. TPL-452; G34.1-083 (Additional information provided by a family member)

Fishing boats;

Several rowboats from the Antlers Lodge are moored on placid Lake Cushman in June of 1921. This is the original Lake Cushman prior to its expansion in 1925. The Antlers Lodge was a hunting lodge located on the shores of Lake Cushman which had catered to wealthy patrons. They had flocked to relax at the pristine lake which was fed by the icy waters of the Skokomish River. Fishing tackle and rowboats were supplied by the Antlers Lodge so that visitors could try their luck at the trout-filled lake. By 1921 the lodge had seen its heyday pass and in 1925 it would be deliberately set ablaze as part of the planned clearing of Cushman Basin. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-19-21, C-1-article on Lake Cushman)

Rowboats; Lake Cushman (Wash.);

Venus in dry dock. This boat, dubbed "Venus," was owned by Dr. S.L. Blair and built by Skansie Bros. of Gig Harbor. She was one of the newer boats owned by members of the Tacoma Yacht Club. Measuring 53-feet by 11-feet, she was powered by a 36 h.p. Enterprise engine with cruising speed of 8 mph. All controls were in the pilothouse. "Venus" contained the owner's state room, quarters for several guests including a galley and dining salon. Three other boats are afloat in the background including the "Prosperity" and the "Mary Ellen." G37.1-122 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-19-22, G-2-article on the "Venus" and alternate picture)

Yachts--Tacoma;

The ferry "City of Tacoma," which operated between Point Defiance and Gig Harbor, underwent a major remodel in January of 1924. The ferry was taken to Western Boat Building at 2505 East 11th to have 34 feet added to her length and her carrying capacity increased to 50 automobiles. She was opened up midship and the added length was inserted just aft of her engine room. The reconstruction job was estimated at $15,000 and the ferry out of service for 30 days. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building. (TDL 1-16-24, p. 4, TNT 1-24-24, p. 24) G66.1-115

Boats--Tacoma; Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Foss Launch crew involved in the raising of the sunken 80-ton steamer, "Rubaiyat," which had foundered on September 29, 1923. The 65-foot vessel had left Municipal Dock at 6 p.m. on her way to Seattle. She was heavily loaded with hundreds of cases of canned goods and capsized in Commencement Bay. Four persons died including one woman. The "Rubaiyat" sank within 30 seconds of capsizing and lay in 35 fathoms of water. Foss Launch immediately came to the rescue, putting five boats in the water, and reached the area at the same time as the lifeboat launched by the steamer "Fulton." Previous attempts in 1923 to raise the "Rubaiyat" had failed and the vessel was thought unsalvagable. The men pictured above on March 12, 1924, were successful in raising the ship from Commencement Bay's bottom: (L-R) Walter McCray, diver; H.F. (Fred) Berg of Foss Launch & Tug; Otto Kraus; William McDaniels; George Westerman, engineer; and O.F. Currey. McCray and Berg had obtained title to the hull since the sinking. G50.1-138 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-30-23, p. 1-article); TDL 3-13-24, p. 10)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma)--employees; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; McCray, Walter; Berg, H.F.; Kraus, Otto; McDaniels, William; Westerman, George; Currey, O.F.;

Powerful winch used by Foss Launch & Tug Co. to raise the sunken steamer, "Rubaiyat," in March of 1924. The ship had sunk the previous year as she headed for Seattle. Four people aboard the vessel drowned. The tug, "Andrew Foss," is in the background. The winch, from the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, had a six-foot in diameter drum with a two-inch steel cable. The winch enabled the hull, not seen since the September 30th sinking, to be visible . Four tugs towed the "Rubaiyat" toward the shore on March 12, 1924, and allowed her to rest just south of the Sperry Dock in about 60 feet of water. G50.1-147 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-30-23, p. 1-article on capsizing; TDL 3-13-24, p. 10)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hoisting machinery;