Ship under construction at Tacoma Boatbuilding in late summer of 1968. Tacoma Boatbuilding had suffered a devastating fire on August 17, 1968, with more than $2,000,000 in damages. Two Navy gunboats and the primary ship assembly plant were destroyed in the three-alarm fire. The company vowed to rebound from the loss and work did continue on undamaged vessels by the end of August. (TNT 8-17-68, p. 1, TNT 8-18-68, p. 1) TPL-9132

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

On April 17, 1941, the 205th Coast Artillery anti-aircraft unit conducted a defense practice at the Sea-Tac shipyards. Pictured is a camouflaged communications post. The 205th Coast Artillery was stationed at Fort Lewis. It was non divisional, attached directly to the IX Corps of the Fourth Army. The Seattle-Tacoma shipyards were considered a vulnerable target in case of attack and therefore were chosen as the site of a mock raid. The 205th strung itself on the tideflats and the surrounding hillsides, defending the shipyard and other industries from air raids by the planes of the 116th. (T. Times 4/16/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); 205th Coast Artillery (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training;

Crew of the Cape Alava before final departure from Tacoma. The cargo ship has been assigned to the American Mail Line for service in the Northwest-Orient route.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Aerial progress photo of construction at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (see D11537 image 22 for previous month) The waterway at the top of the photo is Hylebos Creek and the one below the shipyard is Wapato Waterway. To the right of the shipyard is the Hooker Chemical plant at the top, with the Peterman Manufacturing plant below. The STSC was expanding to meet the demands of new military contracts. Under construction were five additional new ways, more dockage space and expanded fabrication facilities.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The August 6, 1941 sea trials of the "Oregon," formerly known as the Cape Cleare. The ship was built by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. as Hull #3 and M.C. 121- C1B Cargo. It was one of five identical cargo ships built by the company. Photograph ordered by the U.S. Maritime Commission TPL-1870

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Skipper of the "Oregon" and his wife pose on the deck of the ship in front of one of the huge smokestacks. The Oregon was originally launched as the Cape Cleare. It was built at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. as Hull #3, also known as MC 121. The Oregon was damaged in a collision in 1941 and sunk. The Richards Studio notes indicate that this picture was taken in Oregon.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On September 27, 1941, the hulk of the U.S. Army transport Frederick Funston towers above the crowd at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard. Preparations are being made to launch the vessel. The ship is shown on the ways, with bunting and a gang of workers on the bow. A large crowd is watching. The ship will be christened by Barbara Funston; the vessel is the namesake of her father Maj. Gen. Frederick Funston.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Perched above the deck of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard on Tacoma's tideflats, a group of shipyard workers watched on September 27, 1941 as the Frederick Funston was made ready for its christening ceremony. The new U.S. Army transport was named for the late Major General Frederick Funston; his daughter came to Tacoma from San Francisco to take part in the launching. (T. Times 9/29/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sea-Tac Shipyard, aerial view of facilities. Docks, buildings, equipment and water.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sea-Tac Shipyard, general view of facilities. Docks, buildings, equipment and water.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In October of 1941, as the shift ends at the Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., a long line of automobiles winds its way down Alexander Ave. into the city. The roadway of Alexander Ave. was only 18 feet wide, creating a long line of traffic. Recent work had increased the roadbed to 36 feet in width. The shipyard currently employed 3,000 and would be adding an additional 5,000 jobs in the next few months. (T. Times 10/10/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New paving on Alexander Avenue showing automobiles and other traffic from the shipyard. The plans called for Alexander Ave. to be doubled in width and paved to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. to handle increased traffic. On the left of the road, workers can be seen doing the enlarging. (T. Times 10/10/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1940. Bow view of freighter "Cape Flattery", second vessel launched by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. The Cape Flattery served as a troopship beginning in 1943. The vessel was scrapped in 1971. (Argentum)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

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

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

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

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

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

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

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

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

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

Clyde cranes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation in December of 1941.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery;

As the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. received more government contracts, they doubled and tripled their production. By April of 1942, traffic during morning and evening rush hours brought Alexander Ave. to a standstill. The city continued to run municipal buses, but they were bogged down in the traffic as well. Nearly 1/2 of the city's equipment was stuck during rush hour. The yard's private parking lot contained 700-800 cars that poured out of 4 exits directly onto Alexander. Staffing at the yard was expected to double by the year's end. (TT 5/8/1942, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A truck-mounted crane was used to lift a huge roof truss into position as a new shipyard building went up on the Tacoma tideflats in July of 1942. The Petrich Shipbuilding Corporation had just signed a number of new contracts with the U.S. government to build ships for the war. The new building, on the former site of the Vermont Marble Company, was 150 feet wide and 400 feet deep, running from the waterfront back to East D St. The 11th Street bridge is visible on the left through the line of roof trusses, and the Tacoma skyline can be seen in the background. (TNT 5/12/1942 p.1) Note: Negative released to Michigan Power Shovel Company, Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Waterfront--Tacoma

In July of 1942, a power crane was being used to lift a roof truss into position as a new shipyard, Petrich Shipbuilding Corp., rose from the ground on the former Vermont Marble Company site. (11th Street Bridge, city skyline in background.) The shipyard was a project of Martin Petrich and his four enterprising sons, who also owned Western Boatbuilding. The new company already held a contract for six special wooden ships for the Army. The entire plant would be covered and adjoin the shop of the Western Machine Co. Note: Negative released to Michigan Power Shovel Company, Benton Harbor, Michigan. (TT 8/5/1942, pg. 3)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Waterfront--Tacoma;

Power cranes putting up truss in new shipyard, Petrich Shipbuilding Corp., on former Vermont Marble Company site. 11th Street Bridge, city skyline in background. This was the second of two yards operated by the Petrich family. The other was Western Boatbuilding on the Tideflats. During the war, the original yard (Western) built boats for the Navy, while this new yard focused on wooden Army transport vessels. Note: Negative released to Michigan Power Shovel Company, Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Waterfront--Tacoma;

Laying of first keel at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Governor Clarence Martin, center, Seattle Mayor Arthur Langlie, 2nd from right, and Tacoma Mayor J. J. Kaufman, far right, with other dignitaries attended the March 5, 1940 event. (T. Times)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Martin, Clarence D.--1887-1955; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Mayors--Seattle; Kaufman, Joseph J., Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Laying of first keel at Tacoma-Seattle Shipbuilding Corporation. Group of 10 women dressed in fur-trimmed coats and hats. (T. Times)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation baseball team at Midland; taken on May 26, 1940. (filed with Argentum)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Laying of destroyer keel for "Hull #3," to be built at Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Shipbuilding Corporation, Seattle facility.

Boat & ship industry--Seattle; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Seattle; Hoisting machinery;

Launching of the Cape Alva at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. on August 1, 1940. Cape Alva of Tacoma was the name given to the first vessel launched at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. The ship was the largest Tacoma-built vessel since World War I and was the first of 5 merchant ships. She was built in near record time and launched four months after the keel was laid. The 416-foot motorship was named for the promontory of land which lies 20 miles south of Cape Flattery on the Washington seacoast. It is the site of the Ozette Indian Reservation. (T. Times 7/18/1940, pg. 1) TPL-8801

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Employees of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. pose proudly prior to the launch of their second vessel, the Cape Flattery. The Cape Flattery was the second of five contracted vessels. It was named after the location of the most northwestern United States lighthouse, where the Puget Sound joins the sea. Workers were understandably proud, the vessel was built in record time.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Launch of Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. Hull #3, the Cape Cleare. The launch was held November 29, 1940 and was not open to the public. The Cape Cleare was the 3rd of a quintet of 415 foot merchant motorships contracted by the U.S. Maritime Commission. All five would be identical cargo vessels with room for eight passengers plus a crew of 40, built at a cost of $2, 125,00 each. The ultra modern vessels were welded steel throughout. The keel for third vessel was laid August 7th and it was scheduled for completion late in February. The Cape Cleare was named after a prominent headland in Alaska. Mrs. William E. Boeing was the sponsor. TPL-1851 (T. Times 11/12/1940, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;