On June 10, 1926, thirteen World War I era wooden warships lay at anchor in one of the shallow inlets of Henderson Bay. The vessels had been built by Seaborn Shipbuilding Co., Wright Shipbuilding Co. and Tacoma Ship Building Co. in Tacoma for the French and intended for service during World War I, but when the war ended, the work was stopped and none of the remaining ships were completed. They previously were moored in Lake Union, Seattle. They were purchased for salvage by Washington Tug and Barge Co. and towed to the mouth of Minter Creek and then out into the inlet at high tide. The cabins and super structure were broken up, doused in kerosene and at 11:45 p.m. would be set on fire. (photograph is damaged (line) upper right corner) TPL-125 (TNT 6/11/1926, pg. 1)

At dawn on June 11, 1926, blackened shells were all that remained of 13 wooden World War I warships anchored in an inlet of Henderson Bay. The ships, built by Seaborn Shipbuilding Co., Wright Shipbuilding Co. and Tacoma Ship Building Co. in Tacoma for the French and incomplete at the end of the war, had been moored in Lake Union in Seattle. After being sold for scrap, they were towed to the mouth of Minter Creek and floated out at high tide to an inlet on Henderson Bay. They were then broken up, doused with kerosene and set on fire. After the controlled blaze burned itself out, iron and other salvageable metals would be collected. TPL-127, Bowen 26393 (TNT 6/11/1926, pg. 1)

ca. 1920. Ship under construction or being repaired at Skansie Shipbuilding Co. yard at Gig Harbor, circa 1920. Skansie Brothers was founded in 1912 by four Yugoslavian brothers, Pete, Mitchell, Andrew and Joe Skansie. TPL-688, BU-13900

Shortly after midnight on June 11, 1926, the one and a half million dollar bonfire of World War I era warships was at its height. During WWI Seaborn Shipbuilding Co., Wright Shipbuilding Co. and Tacoma Ship Building Co. on the Tacoma tideflats had a contract to build 20 3,000-ton five-mast auxiliary schooners for France. When the war ended in 1918 thirteen partially completed ships still rested in the ways of the shipyard. Unfinished, they were towed to Seattle and moored in Lake Union until years later when they were sold for salvage. They were towed to the mouth of Minter Creek which feeds into Henderson Bay and set on fire. From midnight to dawn, a red glow from the fires lit up Tacoma's northwestern sky. When the fire had burned itself out, iron and other metals were collected from the ruins. (TNT 6/11/1926, pg. 1) TPL-126 Information provided by patron: The first few wrecks were burnt at Richmond Beach starting sometime after 1923, some wreckers including Nieman & Marcus continued working there up until the 1930s, while the one in Minter River was used at least twice, 13 ships were burnt in Jun 1926 and 5 ships were burnt in Aug. 1927. As late as 1930, residents complainined about the burning at Henderson Bay, preferring them to revert to Richmond Beach. I believe that the author of the Victoria Daily Times clipping (Victoria Colonist, Victoria B.C. 5/31/1926 p.8) with the ships names has gotten the location wrong, but they all are named as being laid up at Lake Union in 1921. Articles mentioned can be found in the clipping file TACOMA - INDUSTRIES - SHIPBUILDING

On April 15, 1931, after spending two weeks loading lumber and timber at the Defiance Mill, 4601 Ruston Way, the four masted "Commodore" left port in Tacoma for the Hawaiian Islands. It was towed to the Straits of Juan de Fuca by the tug Goliath. The last of the off shore sailing fleet in regular service on Puget Sound, it was the first sailing vessel to visit Tacoma in more than two years. The wooden four masted topsail schooner of 1,500 tons was built in 1919 by the JH Price Construction Co., a Lake Washington yard, for Norwegian owners and was named "Blaatind." By 1920, it was owned by a Seattle company and was renamed "Commodore." She sailed with lumber to Hawaii long past the demise of the remainder of the west coast sailing fleet. By 1942, she had passed through many hands to South African owners. They had her towed to South America and knocked apart for lumber to build houses. Bowen 05-761 (TNT 4/16/1931, pg. 20; "Marine History of the Pacific Northwest" H.W. McCurdy) TPL-9411

Foundation Co., Yard #4, located on the Tacoma Tideflats - Rigger Storage and Water Tank, May 10, 1918. The Riggers Store House measured 32' x 27'6", 14' high, 880 sq. feet and built at a cost of $250. The water tank cost $1241 to build and consisted of a 25' diameter tank 16' high and a 26 x26 platform, 18' high. Due to the fact that most of the machinery was steam driven, an abundance of water was very important.

Back of Photo:
First Air-Cushion Cruiser
Photograph By Bob Rudsit

Back of Photo:
Air Cushion Boat Co.
Photograph By Bob Rudsit

Back of Photo:
"BIZ 10/2/87 Gillie
"Suzanne C. Dicks, wife of U.S. congressman Norm Dicks, reacts after letting fly the bottle of champagne to christen the MV Sea-Land Tacoma this morning. The ceremony for the containership took place at the Sea-Land terminal in the Port of Tacoma. Mrs. Dicks is the sponsor of the vessel. Staff Photo by Joe Giron"

Launching. This is the "Maia H" tugboat that was officially launched on Saturday, March 24, 1973, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. According to a News Tribune article, she was the first tug launched in Tacoma in many years. She had actually had an "instant dumping" two months ago. Maia Halvorsen, daughter of owner Boyer Halvorsen of Bainbridge Island, was the ship's sponsor. The "Maia H" will haul a fast freight barge between Seattle and Ketchikan, Alaska. (TNT 3-25-73, A-22)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Copy of customer print. Two men are in the process of laying the superstructure onto the hull of this vessel in this undated photograph. This is perhaps a fishing boat. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding.

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

ca. 1973. Copy of customer print ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding in March of 1973. This is a painting of a prototype Coastal Patrol & Interdiction Craft (CPIC) sponsored by the US Navy and built by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Tacoma Boatbuilding had received a $15,000,000 contract to build three patrol ships for South Korea. Two of the boats were to be built in Tacoma, and the third in South Korea. The US Navy would conduct brief ship trials before the ship was transferred to South Korea. Displacement in tons, according to Jane's Fighting Ships 1974-75, was about 70 full load. (TNT 8-28-72, p. 1- article; Jane's Fighting Ships 1974-75, p. 220)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--South Korea;

Copy of customer print. A workman at Tacoma Boatbuilding stands on scaffolding as he examines the wooden hull of a boat under construction in this undated photograph. Photograph ordered on June 8, 1973, by Tacoma Boatbuilding.

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

The 181-foot tuna seiner, "Jilor," was successfully launched on February 8, 1975, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. She was the first of three steel hulled fishing boats destined for Senegal. The launching attracted several dignitaries including the ambassador to the United States from Senegal, Andre Coulbary and wife Saffia, and Congressman Floyd Hicks. The "Jilor" had a 22-man crew and could hold 800 tons of frozen fish. Photograph ordered by the United States Information Agency, Washington D.C. TPL-9885

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Wearing traditional Senegalese clothing were Andre Coulbary and his wife Saffia as they pose in front of the newly launched fishing vessel, "Jilor," on February 8, 1975. Mr. Coulbary was the ambassador to the United States from Senegal who flew in from Washington D.C. for launching ceremonies at Tacoma Boatbuilding. The 181-foot fishing vessel was the first of three tuna seiners destined for Senegal at a total price tag of $12 million dollars. The steel hulled seiner was believed to be the first major American built fishing boat to be delivered new to a country outside the Americas. Named after a small fishing village southwest of Dakar, she could carry a crew of 22 and had a 14-tank, 800-ton frozen fish capacity. Traveling at a top speed of 15 knots, the "Jilor" would set sail for Senegal in the spring. A crowd of about 500 people braved the slight snow/sleet to watch the launching. The two men flanking the ambassador and his wife were not identified. (TNT 2-6-75, A-3 -article; TNT 2-9-75, D-6 -article) TPL-9475

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coulbary, Andre; Coulbary, Saffia; Ambassadors--Senegal;

ca. 1975. 1975 Richards color stock footage. Ships under construction at one of Tacoma's shipyards, believed to be the J.M. Martinac Shipyards on the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. This aerial photograph may have been taken in late fall of 1975.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Aerial views; Aerial photographs;

1975 Richards color stock footage. Ships under construction in November of 1975 at what is believed to be the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp.'s yard adjoining the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. This aerial view also shows the new Familian-Northwest, Inc., plumbing supply building on 15th St. E.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Familian-Northwest, Inc. (Tacoma);

Oceangoing tugs " Seneca" and "Sioux" were christened at Martinac Shipbuilding facilities on June 13, 1970. View of the "Seneca" in foreground with glimpse of the "Sioux" at left. Both tugs will be based in Seattle but will be utilized in hauling barges to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska. The "Seneca" is already sea-worthy but the "Sioux" still needs outfitting. Photograph ordered by Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-14-70, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Christening of tugboats. Mrs. Edith R. Bullock carries the traditional spray of red roses and a decorated bottle of champagne as she and other principal parties await the christening of the tugboat "Seneca" on June 13, 1970. Another tug, the "Sioux," would also be christened at Martinac Shipbuilding facilities the same day. Both oceangoing vessels were apparently based in Seattle but would haul barges to Alaska's Prudhoe Bay. Standing next to and behind the flowers of the sponsor, Mrs. Bullock, is J.S. Martinac of the shipbuilding firm. Other dignitaries are not identified. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-14-70, A-4 article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Bullock, Edith R.; Martinac, J.S.;

Launching. The 184-foot steel tuna seiner, "Trinidad," was launched at 5:30 a.m. on February 27, 1971, from the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding yard on the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. The $2,100,000 fishing boat was christened by Mrs. William A. Magellan, wife of the owner/skipper. Scheduled delivery to her San Diego owner was expected in mid-May of 1971. The vessel, capable of holding 850-ton of frozen fish, was used to fish for Star-Kist Foods. The 36-foot wide "Trinidad" was air conditioned and held a crew of 16. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 2-28-71, A-21- article) TPL-9461

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Post-launching. The "Grand Rapids" rests alongside Tacoma Boatbuilding's Marine View Dr. facilities after a successful launching on April 4, 1970. The gunboat was named for the hometown of House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford; Mr. Ford and his family were in attendance at the launching ceremonies. The PG 98 would be commissioned on September 5, 1970. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding.

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Tugboats post-christening. On June 13, 1970, two tugboats were christened at Martinac Shipbuilding facilities. Both the "Seneca" (foreground) and "Sioux" (rear) are Seattle-based but will be used to haul barges to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska's oil fields. Color photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-14-70, A-4 - article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching. The crowd at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Marine View Dr. facility has just watched the "Grand Rapids" slide gracefully down the ways on April 4, 1970. The ship was the 11th of 12 gunboats built under contract for the US Navy. House Minority Leader and future president Gerald R. Ford and family were on hand for the festivities as the vessel was named after the Fords' home town in Michigan.

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Crowds--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching. View of the "Captain Vincent Gann" prior to her 8 p.m. launching on May 22, 1970. The 191-foot tuna seiner was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Plant #2 in the Port Industrial Yard. This would be the final launching at Plant #2 which had seen the production of nine fishing boats since 1966. All tuna boat construction in the future would be done at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. After her launching, the "Captain Vincent Gann" would be transported to the Hylebos location for outfitting and trials. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 5-22-70, D-7- article; TNT 5-24-70, B-11-article) TPL-9458

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching. People stop and stare at the "Captain Vincent Gann," a 191-foot tuna seiner, on her launch date of May 22, 1970, at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Port Industrial Yard plant. The fishing boat would be the last launching at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Plant #2 as all future tuna boats would be constructed and launched at the new Hylebos Waterway location. She would be launched by Mrs. Edmund Gann, wife of the ship's owner. Delivery was expected to her San Diego-area owners in July. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 5-22-70, D-7 - article; TNT 5-24-70, B-11 - article) TPL-9459

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching. The Tacoma Class Gunboat PG-100 (formerly PGM-100) was launched in ceremonies occurring at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. at 4:45 p.m. on June 19, 1970. She would be commissioned the "USS Douglas" in February of 1971. The gunboat had a displacement of 250-ton and was 165-feet in length. She had a speed of 40k and was equipped with two gun mounts and two twin .50-cal machine guns. Only 6 1/2 years after she was commissioned, she was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register. The "Douglas" was converted to a research vessel and renamed the R/V "Lauren." Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (www.navsource.org/achives; TNT 6-19-70, p. 7 - article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching party. Posed before the patron gunboat PG-100 (formerly PGM-100) are the dignitaries involved in the launching ceremony on June 19, 1970. Clutching the traditional bouquet of beribboned red roses is Mrs. Willard F. Searle, Jr., of Alexandria, Virginia, the ship's sponsor who had the honor of christening the ship with a bottle of champagne. The "USS Douglas" was named after the city of Douglas, Arizona. Also in the photograph is believed to be Rear Adm. W.F. Petrovic, commander of the Puget Sound Naval Station. The gunboat was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., the last in a series of 12 aluminum gunboats built for the US Navy by that firm. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (TNT 6-19-70, p. 7- article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Searle, Willard F.--Family; Roses--Tacoma;

Launching. If you think this fishing boat looks larger than normal, you are correct. This is the "Apollo;" at 258-feet long with a 44-foot beam, it was the world's largest tuna clipper in 1970. The $3,000,000 boat was under construction at Tacoma Boatbuilding for one year. Tacoma Boatbuilding had built 12 out of the 25 tuna boats built locally in the last eight years. The "Apollo" was launched on Saturday, October 24, 1970, at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Hylebos plant. She was the largest boat built by the firm and would remain in Tacoma until December of 1970 for final outfitting and acceptance trials. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (TNT 10-23-70, p. 11- article; TNT 10-25-70, B-9) TPL-9528

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching. A beaming Mrs. Manuel Cintas, wife of one of the newly launched "Apollo" owners, poses with the traditional spray of beribboned red roses on October 24, 1970. She was the ship's sponsor and had the honor of christening the tuna clipper before the vessel slipped stern-first into the Hylebos Waterway. The "Apollo," built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, was the world's largest tuna boat in 1970. It took a year to construct the 258-foot vessel. The "Apollo" had a capacity of 2000 tons of frozen tuna, 600 tons more than her largest competitor. The "Charley the Tuna" cartoon sign on the viewing stand was there as an advertisement for Star-Kist, whose Puerto Rican cannery would accept the frozen tuna. The ship's owners were Ocean Blazers, Inc., of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 10-23-70, p. 11- article; TNT 10-25-70, B-9) TPL-9529

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Cintas, Manuel--Family; Roses--Tacoma;

Launching. The tuna clipper, "Aquarius," was launched in official ceremonies on Saturday, December 5, 1970, at Martinac Shipbuilding facilities. The above photograph, with decorative bunting, was taken before she slipped down the ways into the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. The 184-foot tuna seiner was owned by brothers Joseph and Richard Madruga of San Diego. They operated a tuna fleet for Van Camp Sea Foods. The ship was powered by a 3600 hp diesel engine and had a frozen fish capacity of 850 tons. She had a 35-foot beam. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 12-7-70, p. 36 - article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);