Boat launching. The "Anna Maria" was successfully launched in the early afternoon of September 20, 1969. She is being maneuvered into Commencement Bay by three tugs. The contrast in size is readily apparent; the "Anna Maria," at 191 feet, was the largest tuna boat yet built and had a 1100-ton frozen fish capacity. Capt. Roland Virissimo would operate the vessel built by Tacoma Boat from the San Diego area. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 3-19-69, D-5; TNT 3-21-69, A-10) TPL-9407

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. The bow of the 165-foot tuna seiner, the "Anne M," looms over the guest speaker at her launching ceremonies on June 14, 1969. The "Anne M" is the sixth in a series built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. She has a 2800 h.p. diesel main engine and expects to exceed 14 knots. Carrying a crew of 14, she will be captained by Frank Souza of San Diego. Capt. Souza has been master and owner of several other tuna vessels including the "Mary S," "Southern Pacific," and "Antoinette B." The new seiner will be fishing out of Astoria, Oregon, for Bumble Bee Seafoods, a division of Castle and Cooke. Expected delivery to her new owners is late August of 1969. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-16-69, p. 29) TPL-9405

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Spectators--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Boat launching. With a mighty swing, Mrs. John S. McGowan christens the new fishing boat named in her honor, the "Anne M," with the traditional bottle of champagne during evening ceremonies on June 14, 1969. The 165-foot tuna seiner was the sixth in a series of fishing vessels built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. Mrs. McGowan is the wife of the president of Bumble Bee Seafoods. The "Anne M" will fish in Astoria waters for Bumble Bee. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. (TNT 6-16-69, p. 29) TPL-9402

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; McGowan, John S.--Family; McGowan, Anne; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. A large standing crowd spills out onto the grounds of the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation yard on the evening of June 14, 1969, as they attentively listen to pre-launching speeches. The "Anne M, " a 165-foot tuna seiner, would shortly slip down the ways into City (now Thea Foss) Waterways. She has a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and would fish in the waters around Astoria for Bumble Bee Seafoods. Captain Frank Souza is the master of the ship. Scheduled delivery of the "Anne M" to her owners is for late August of 1969. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-16-69, p. 29) TPL-9404

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Spectators--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Boat launching. The 160-foot all-aluminum ferry, the "Avalon," was successfully launched on October 25, 1969, by Martinolich Shipbuilding from their plant on the Port Industrial Waterway. The sleek vessel had a 27-foot beam and tipped the scale at 182 tons displacement. Four marine gas turbines powered the twin variable-pitch propellors. The "Avalon" was built for Holiday Services for use in shuttling passengers to Santa Catalina, about 26 miles from Los Angeles. She could carry up to 500 passengers with speeds of 25-28 knots. Built for more than $2,000,000, the "Avalon" would be delivered to the San Pedro area about two weeks after its launch date. Mrs. Robert Sprague, wife of one of the ship's owners, had christened the vessel with the traditional bottle of champagne. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-12-69, D-12; TNT 10-27-69, p. 6) tnt (A)-052A

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. The YFB-87 is pictured on December 18, 1969, as she slid down the ways at Western Boat Building's new plant at 1720 Marine View Dr. on the Hylebos Waterway. The 165-foot double-ended car and passenger ferry was built for the Navy and would be towed to Hawaii in May of 1970. She was patterned after the Hiyu which now traveled between Point Defiance and Vashon Island. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co.

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. An interested crowd watches as the 165-foot tuna seiner, the "John F. Kennedy," slides down the ways into City (now Thea Foss) Waterway on December 20, 1969. Built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., the ship had a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and would be delivered to Star-Kis Foods on Terminal Island, California. She was a sister ship to the "Mary Antoinette" which had already been delivered to her owners. December 20th also saw the launching of the USS Benicia gunboat by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4) TPL-9451

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Post-launching. The "Polaris" was successfully launched into Commencement Bay on March 7, 1970, by Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, wife of the ship's co-owner. The Gann family watched as the 165-foot "Polaris" slid down the ways from Martinac Shipbuilding facilities. The "Polaris" had a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and was owned by Joseph and Edmund Gann of San Diego. This would be one of three fishing boats built by Martinac Shipbuilding for the Gann brothers and was expected to be delivered in May. The "Polaris" was destined for fishing operations in South America and Africa. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23- article) TPL-9453

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

Boat launching. Mrs. Robert Sprague of Los Angeles performs the customary duties of ship sponsor as she christens the new all-aluminum ferry, "Avalon," at Martinolich Shipbuilding, on the Port Industrial Waterway, on October 25, 1969. Mrs. Sprague was the wife of one of the ship's owners. The "Avalon" was the largest all-aluminum passenger ferry ever built and would be delivered to Holiday Services in San Pedro, California, two weeks after launching. The ferry, with a 27-foot beam, could carry up to 500 people at once. She would be used to shuttle passengers to Santa Catalina, some 26 miles from Los Angeles. With a maximum speed of 28 knots, the "Avalon" would replace outdated and too expensive steamships. Martinolich built a big new shipshed, with height of 40-feet, to house the ferry while under construction. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 11-20-68, p. 1; TNT 10-12-69, D-12; TNT 10-27-69, p. 6)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sprague, Robert--Family;

Boat launching. The Hawaii-bound ferry, YFB-87, was successfully launched at Western Boat Building's new facilities on the Hylebos Waterway on December 18, 1969. The 165-foot car and passenger ferry had a 38 car/500 passenger capacity. Built for the U.S. Navy, she would be towed to Hawaii in May of 1970, for use traveling to and from Ford Island to Pearl Harbor. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co. (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

The YFB-87, built for the U.S. Navy, was the first vessel launched from Western Boat Building's new shipbuilding plant at 1720 Marine View Dr. N.E. on the Hylebos Waterway. The 165-foot ferry, christened by Mary Petrich, slid down the ways on December 18, 1969. This ferry was not built to operate in Washington waters but instead was towed to Hawaii where she was used for the Pearl Harbor - Ford Island runs. She was completed in May, 1970 and christened "Moko Holo Hele" which means "Ship that goes back and forth". YFB-87 is no longer in service between Pearl Harbor and Ford Island. She went out of service when the Admiral Bernard "Chick" Clarey Bridge opened in April, 1998. (Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co.) (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Mary Petrich, daughter of Western Boat Building vice-president James Petrich, christens the new Pearl-Harbor bound YFB-87 ferry on December 18, 1969. The traditional bottle of champagne has exploded upon impact. The YFB-87 ferry was the first vessel launched at Western Boat's new shipbuilding plant on the Hylebos Waterway. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co. (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Petrich, Mary;

View of PG-96, the USS Benicia, on launch date of December 20, 1969. The Benicia, the second US Navy ship to bear the name and named after the city of Benicia, California, was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos on December 20, 1969. The 165-foot gunboat had a 24-foot beam and could reach speeds of 40k. She would be commissioned on April 20, 1970 and decommissioned on October 2, 1971. After service in the South Korean navy, the ship was struck from the Naval Register on August 30, 1996, decommissioned and scrapped. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4; www.navsource.org/archives)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Post-launch view of the USS Benicia. The all-aluminum patrol gunboat was successfully launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new shipyard on the Hylebos on December 20, 1969. She had been christened by Mrs. W.F. Petrovic, the wife of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's commander. Tacoma's shipbuilders were very busy during the 1960's with orders from the US Navy as well as from individuals, particularly those seeking big fishing vessels. Both Western Boat Building and Tacoma Boatbuilding would operate from new, larger plants on the Hylebos in 1969. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. With a mighty swing, Mrs. W.F. Petrovic christened the new patrol gunboat, the USS Benicia, at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new $3,000,000 shipyard on the Hylebos Waterway on December 20, 1969. Mrs. Petrovic was the wife of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's commander. The 165-foot vessel, PG-96, was made entirely of aluminum. The Benicia was the 10th of 12 165-foot gunboats being built for the Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. She would be commissioned in April of 1970. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 4-20-69, B-19; TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petrovic, W.F.--Family;

Launching. Champagne explodes as Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, wife of the ship's co-owner, officially christens the tuna seiner, "Polaris," on March 7, 1970. The 165-foot fishing boat was one of three ships built for Joseph and Edmund Gann of San Diego by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The sister ship of the "John F. Kennedy" would be handed over to her owners in May and would join the Gann fleet operating near South America and Africa. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23 - article) TPL-9452

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

Launching party. Posed before the 165-foot tuna seiner, the "Polaris," are members of the launching party on March 7, 1970. The fishing vessel was built for the Gann brothers of San Diego by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. It was the 9th seiner built of that size by Martinac and one of three built for Joseph and Edmund Gann by the company. Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, clutching the traditional spray of red roses, was the ship's sponsor. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23- article) TPL-9454

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gann, Joseph A.--Family; Roses--Tacoma; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Saturday, December 20, 1969, saw two major boat launchings in Tacoma. Mrs. W.F. Petrovic, wife of the commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, was the sponsor at the launching of the USS Benicia at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. She is standing with her family in pre-launching ceremonies. The 165-foot all-aluminum patrol gunboat was the first to be launched from one of the plant's 350-foot double ways. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petrovic, W.F.--Family;

This is the newly constructed office building at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. The company built a three million dollar facility on Marine View Dr. in 1969 to replace its Sitcum Waterway plant which was completely destroyed by fire in August of 1968. One of its near neighbors was Western Boat Building who had permanently moved to a seven-acre site on the Hylebos after its longtime plant on 11th St. was gutted by fire in October of 1965. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Office buildings--Tacoma--1960-1970;

View of USS Crockett. The USS Crockett was one of 17 gunboats in the Asheville class. Tacoma Boatbuilding had a government contract to build seven of these patrol gunboats, each costing 2.5 million dollars. The Crockett was the third to be launched. Nearly 165 feet in length, the Crockett could accelerate from 0 to 40 knots in 60 seconds. The aluminum ship had approximately 230 tons displacement weight and was powered by a gas turbine. It was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding on June 4, 1966, with christening honors performed by Mrs. Charles Horjes of Tacoma. After service in South Vietnam, it would be transferred to the Naval Reserve Force in 1975 and decommissioned in 1976. (TNT 2-6-66, A-16; TNT 6-5-66, D-15; www.navsource.org/archives/12/11088.htm; www.hobbybarn.com/Dumas-pages/USS-Crocket-1218.htm)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

USS Crockett (PG-88) prior to launching. The Asheville Class gunboat was launched at Tacoma Boat Building on June 4, 1966. Powered by a gas turbine, the speedy ship would be commissioned on June 24, 1967, and stationed in South Vietnam where she would be used for coastal patrol, blockade reconnaissance and to give support. The nearly 165-foot gunboat would hold a complement of 4 officers and 33 enlisted men. Tacoma Boat Building had won a government contract to build seven of these Asheville Class vessels. (TNT 2-6-66, A-16, www.navsource.org/archives/12/11088.htm; www.hobbybarn.com/Dumas-pages/USS-Crocket-1218.htm)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

With a mighty swing, Jeanne Martin Soares christens the new "Blue Pacific" on March 29, 1967. The vessel was launched at Tacoma Boat Building. She was a 176-foot steel tuna seiner built for Capt. Roger Soares of San Diego who placed her in operation for White Star- Van Camp Seafoods. The "Blue Pacific" was the largest tuna fishing boat built from the keel up at the time. She was constructed in the Port Industrial Yard (the former Tacoma Naval Station) by Tacoma Boat Building. Moments after the christening, the "Blue Pacific" eased down the ways and came to a standstill before she finally floated free. Five Foss tugs assisted when the boat was hung up. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building. (TNT 3-12-67, A-23, TNT 3-29-67, A-1) TPL-9061 (Corrected identification provided by a reader)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Soares, Jeanne Martin;

The Nancy Foss tug assisted in the launching of the J.M. Martinac on March 27, 1967. View of ship's bow post-launching. The 154-foot tuna seiner was the fifth tuna boat built by Martinac Shipbuilding for skipper Lou Brito of San Diego. It had a payload of 540 tons and carried a 32-foot power skiff. The J.M. Martinac, whose name was selected by skipper Brito in honor of Martinac founder J.M. Martinac, had nets more than half a mile long. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 2-19-67, B-4, TNT 3-28-67, A-1) TPL-9124

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Launching of the "Jeanette C." Built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, the tuna clipper "Jeanette C" was launched on June 6, 1967 at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Plant 2 in the Port Industrial Yard. View of lauching participants in front of the fishing boat, the second of four planned tuna seiners, and the sister ship to the 176-foot "Blue Pacific" previously launched on March 29th. 15-year-old Jeanette Caboz, daughter of skipper-to-be and part owner Manuel Caboz, holds a large bouquet of roses. She christened the ship that is named in her honor. Also pictured is Mrs. William Gillis who assisted Miss Caboz. Presiding at the launching was Tacoma Boat's president, Arnold J. Strom. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 6-6-67, p. 26, TNT 6-7-67, C-4) TPL-8857

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Caboz, Jeanette;

Broadside view of the Eastern Pacific as it tests the waters of Commencement Bay in early August, 1965. The tuna clipper was built by Martinac Shipbuilding. Photograph ordered by Martinac Shipbuilding. TPL-9058

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma;

The "Pacific Pearl" was docked at Tacoma Boatbuilding on May 20, 1965. She was a new shellfish processing plant that had been converted from a 175-foot Coast Guard tender, the M.V. Hemlock. The floating cannery was to leave its berth in Tacoma and head toward Alaska. Photograph ordered by Northwest Advertising Co., Seattle. (TNT 5-23-65, A-15)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing industry--Washington; Canneries--Washington;

A man surveys the peaceful waterway as he stands aboard the "Pacific Pearl," a floating cannery, on May 20, 1965. The shellfish processing plant, out of Seattle, is docked at Tacoma Boatbuilding. The cannery was formerly a 175-foot Coast Guard tender, the M.V. Hemlock, before being rebuilt. Sutterlin & Wendt, Inc., packers of northwest seafoods under the Pacific Pearl label, would be moving their cannery from Tacoma to Alaska. Photograph ordered by Northwest Advertising Co., Seattle. (TNT 5-23-65, A-15)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing industry--Washington; Canneries--Washington;

View of the Eastern Pacific's bow with three men on board in late July, 1965. The tuna clipper was built by Martinac Shipbuilding. Photograph ordered by Martinac Shipbuilding. TPL-9057

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma;

The "Alpha Helix" commenced its trial runs on February 19, 1966. Martinac Shipbuilding built the 133-foot research vessel for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, as a floating experimental biology laboratory. It had a 31-foot beam and displacement of 512 tons, carried a crew of 12 and could berth a scientific party of ten. The $2,225,000 floating lab was skippered by Capt. James Faughn.The "Alpha Helix" made news on the day of its launching, June 29, 1964, when she broke away from fastenings on the Martinac ways and launched itself. She was spared damage when boom men alertly kept her from smashing into broken pilings. In 1980, the vessel was sold to the University of Alaska's Institute of Marine Science. Photograph ordered by J.M.Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. ( TNT 2-20-66, A-15; scilib.ucsd.edu/sio/archives/siohstry/alphahelix-hist.html; sea.edu/SEA2000/NewsUpdates2000/ShipyardNews/MartinacShipbuilding.htm)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ship trials--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

PGM 63 glides through calm waters on May 9, 1963. The J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. built this patrol boat for the U.S. government. A previous Martinac-built Motor Gunboat underwent sea trials in April, 1963. The PGM 63 would later be transferred to South Vietnam as the To Yen.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma;