Phil Seymour, a North End auto mechanic, built this cabin cruiser, "Sea-More", with friends in their idle moments over a period of nine months. Seymour finishes the project as he paints number 4212CGA on the side of the boat. Officially launched on April 24, 1943, she was used by the Coast Guard as an auxiliary during World War II. (T.Times 4/26/43 p.1.)

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Seymour, Phil;

A spray of water calls attention to a May 7, 1943 fire fighting drill off the Old Town Dock. Participating are Tacoma's Fireboat #1 and five Coast Guard fire barges assigned to Tacoma. Together the vessels can pump over 23,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

One of the three Coast Guard fire barges stationed to protect Tacoma's waterfront showed off its water pumping abilities in May of 1943. U.S. Coast Guard inspectors were visiting Tacoma to look for fire hazards and award "Good Housekeeping" pennants to the waterfront businesses that had eliminated fire hazards on their property. Accumulations of waste wood and bark, drifting logs and oil on pilings and bulkheads were the most serious problems found. The fire barges were propelled by two engines at the rear and could scoot around the waterfront at very rapid speed. (T. Times 5/10/1943 p.14)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

These two members of the Coast Guard took part in the May 7, 1943 fire fighting drill off the Old Town Dock. The pair are aboard one of the smaller CG fire barges. These smaller barges were designed to fight fires under the docks. They could pump 600 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

The three larger Coast Guard fire barges assigned to Tacoma are photographed in formation on May 7, 1943. They were taking part in a drill along the Tacoma waterfront. The Coast Guard had a total of five barges assigned to Tacoma. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Tacoma's Fireboat #1, shown underway, participated in a May 7, 1943 drill, showing its effectiveness in fighting waterfront fires. The drill was part of a campaign to clean up debris along the waterfront, removing fodder for deliberately set fires. The number one enemy of our port and waterfront defense industries was fire. (T. Times 5/8.1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. was working on a contract to build and repair fishing boats for China under the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration program. The boats are intended to rehabilitate China's fishing industry. Tacoma Boat's production line methods are helping get the boats ready for launching at a rapid pace. View of small boat at Tacoma Boat facilities.

Boats--Tacoma; Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., 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;

Adolf Olsen stands on the bow of his fishing boat, the "Spawn," on May 15, 1946, while an unidentified man is nearby. She was built for Mr. Olsen by Tacoma Boatbuilding at the end of World War II. Mr. Olsen was reportedly very proud of her and the good material that went into her construction. He used the "Spawn" for at least 19 years and caught a lot of fish - salmon and albacore - with her. (Additional identification and information provided by a reader) TPL-8020

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Olsen, Adolf;

Tacoma Boat launched a Pacific Coast-type purse seiner. The "F. D. Roosevelt" was built under the UNRRA contract for Yugoslavia. It is a modern boat completely refrigerated, powered by a 360 horse power engine, with diesel generators, 85 feet long, 22 foot beam and a 10,000 mile range. Miss Margaret Marinkovich (second from right) was the launching sponsor, Marcus Nalley, second from left. (T. Times, 7/1/46, p. 3).

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Marinkovich, Margaret;

US Army Transportation Corps. Hull no. 8 - TP225, 96' Wooden Utility Boat, Design #333, Petrich Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma.

U.S. Army Transportation Corps; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat (Mann). US Army Transport Corps LT 214. Four men stand on the upper deck while the "Large Tug" (LT) is under way. TPL-6388

U.S. Army Transportation Corps; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

US Army Transportation Corps. Hull no. 8 - TP225, 96' Wooden Utility Boat, Design #333, Petrich Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma. Docked under the 11th Street Bridge. Petrich Shipbuilding was located on the City Waterway. The company received the prestigious E Award March 1942 for their outstanding efforts during World War II. TPL-8026

U.S. Army Transportation Corps; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Waterfronts--Tacoma; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Vertical lift bridges--Tacoma;

Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. began producing ships in May 1942. They were building government vessels and commercial fishing boats. They company was started by two of the Martinolich brothers, well known boat builders on the West Coast. Interior view of Sea Boy's control room with helm, compass and engine controls.

Helms; Control rooms; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Western Boat Building Co. was owned and operated by the Petrich Family. They were building tuna clippers and purse seiners for the Navy. View "Dolores M" control room with partial view on right side of ship's steering wheel. TPL-8872

Helms; Control rooms; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat. "Evening Star" docking under the 11th Street Bridge. Several people are on the bow of the boat. She was launched June 11, 1945, from Puget Sound Boat Building Corp.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vertical lift bridges--Tacoma; 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma); City Waterway (Tacoma); Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat water shots, Y.P. 626 - side view. Y.P. designates a patrol craft. Tacoma Boat Building was one of ten small ship building firms in Tacoma at this time many of which switched from building fishing vessels to produce ships for the war. TPL-8029

Government vessels; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The 61.9-foot fishing trawler, the "Hustler, " was successfully launched by Western Boat in June of 1945. As the poem written in her honor states, she has just slid down the ways. The Tacoma city skyline can be seen in the background. The ship's owner was R. Tom Muchlinski and she carried a crew of six. After completion, the "Hustler" was bound for Ketchikan, Alaska. Shortly after being placed in service, she was taken over by the U.S. government.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Fishermen's Derby. Annual Father and Son Salmon Derby, sponsored by the Tacoma Poggie Club was held at Point Defiance Park. 200 boys and girls were expected to attend. View of participants in fishing boats on Point Defiance waterfront.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Children fishing--Tacoma; Contests--Tacoma; Poggie Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

This unidentified woman is prepared to christen a new 72-foot Army tug on March 5, 1944. The ship was built by Pacific Boat Building Co. of Tacoma.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tugboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Sea Boy launching. Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. launched the 85- ft. sardine boat, "Sea Boy," into the City Waterway on July 1, 1944. Many gathered to view the impressive sight. View of three unidentified individuals, including an infant, who were present at launching of "Sea Boy." (T. Times, 7/1/44, p. 4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Infants--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pacific Boat Building Co. received a government contract to build 14 barges in February 1944. All vessels were made of wood, diesel powered and sea going. View of unidentified family at launching of 72 foot long sea going power barge with 240 horsepowered diesel engine.

Barges--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat Building had a government contract to build barges for the Army. Building progress photos of U. S. Army B.S.P. 3136, a self propelled, 88 foot long, twin diesel engine, 26.8 foot beam barge. View of vessel and row boat on left side.

Barges--Tacoma; Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Henry Mill & Timber Company was working on many commercial and government contracts. As a leader in the prefabricated lumber products, they were able to fill orders very rapidly, therefore helping to aid the war effort. View of Peter B. Solberg working on a barge model for Henry Mill & Timber Co. Mr. Solberg worked at the company during WW II. After the war, he founded and operated the Timber Fabrication Company until his death in February 1964. TPL-6662 (Photo identification provided by a family member)

Barges--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Solberg, Peter B.;

Allen Petrich, Sr., is aboard a modified tuna tender in this photograph from 1944. His father, Martin Petrich, Sr., and others started Western Boat Building Co. in 1916. The Petrichs' five sons, Hervey, Allen, Martin Jr., Jim and Jack, helped Western Boat Building become a well known and respected business in Tacoma. They built government vessels, commercial fishing vessels and pleasure boats. The modified tuna tender above, dubbed the "Patty," had an open cockpit and resembled a racing boat. She was used to travel to and from docks when large tuna clippers could not and was carried aboard the larger ships. (Identification and additional information provided by a reader)

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Petrich, Allen;

Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. built Sea Boy, an 85 foot sardine boat, for Bill and Ted Healy. Sea Boy is the fourth seine boat built at the yard. View of two unidentified men aboard Sea Boy. TPL-8878

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat Building was gaining recognition for building first rate fishing vessels. They had just completed a series of Army tugs and barges and were getting an increase of contracts for commercial fishing boats. View of "Vagabond", a tuna clipper built by Puget Sound Boat. TPL-8888

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

American Girl launching. The American Girl tuna vessel, built by Western Boat Building Co., is completely refrigerated and can handle 180 tons of tuna. It will join the tuna fleet that travels between San Diego, California and the coast of South America. View of American Girl tuna boat on Puget Sound (T. Times, 7/24/44, p. 2). TPL-8868

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. began building vessels in May 1942. The company was started by two of the Martinolich brothers, well known for their boat building on the West Coast. They immediately received government contracts to build ships for the Army. View of recently finished vessel being transported to Puget Sound plant. TPL-8802

Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat Building, the launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #113 for the Navy, sponsored by Evelyn Langlie, wife of Governor Arthur B. Langlie. Mrs. Langlie holds the ceremonial champagne bottle and and an unidentified young girl holds flowers. The AMS 113 was the first minesweeper to be launched in Tacoma since WWII and on completion would cost upward of $1,000,000. Tacoma Boat Building had received the contract to build the minesweepers prior to the devastating fire of 1951 that destroyed their plant. By December of 1951, their new plant was almost complete and construction begun on 3 of the 144 ft class and 5 of the 57 ft. class. (T. Reporter 7/22/1952, pg. 2)

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