Undated photograph of the "Firecracker," a fishing boat, as requested by Martinolich Shipbuilding. The vessel is passing quietly through the waters of Commencement Bay; a glimpse of one of Kaiser's aluminum domes is visible on the far right of the photograph.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The "Lori Ann" docked outside Tacoma Marine Supply in late February, 1969. She may have been a crab boat. A small "for sale" sign is posted in the pilothouse. Work order placed by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co.

Boats--Tacoma;

Ticket for the last ferry ride across the Narrows, on July 2, 1940 aboard the Kalakala. Ferry service was being suspended due to the opening of the first Narrows Bridge and locals could become a part of history for only one dollar. The Young Mens Business Club (YMBC) was sponsoring the ride as part of the 6 day celebration of the joint dedication of the Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. Over 1400 revellers boarded the ferry at the Tacoma Municipal, Point Defiance or Gig Harbor docks for the rollicking four hour ride to Bremerton and back. The entertainment included music and dancing with period costumes optional. TPL-6714, TPL-6725.

Kalakala (Ferry); Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ferries--Tacoma;

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;

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;

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;

ca. 1940. Three people on small wooden vessel docked in marina. Names of individuals and location not provided for this circa 1940 photograph. (T. Times).

Boats--1940-1950;

Ferryboats for Mr. Peterson. The ferry "Vashonia" in front, with two other ferries docked behind in this late January, 1940, photograph.

Ferries--1940-1950;

The ferries "Vashonia," "Fox Island," and "The City of Steilacoom" are moored side-by-side in January of 1940. The increasing number of cars and need for fast service for commuters led to the building of many ferries in the 1920's. They were swift and comfortable and due to the lack of major bridges, a more convenient way to travel for those living on the Olympic peninsula than driving for miles on often bad roads. These three ferries had been built by the Skansie (Brothers) Shipbuilding Co. in Gig Harbor for their Washington Navigation Company. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

Ferry boats. The "Defiance." Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

Ferry boats. The "Defiance" steamer on the Sound. Island in background. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

Ferry Boats. "Vashonia" at ferry landing. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Vessels; Ferries;

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);

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 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;

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);

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);

Three Army Q-boats were launched within minutes of each other on April 20, 1954. These 63' crafts were built by Tacoma Boat Building for the Army under Navy supervision. View of several women and small children in front of Q-630; these were members of the christening party. From left to right are: Barbara Rutledge (flower girl), Mrs. Vincent J. Genn, sponsor of Q-630, Shanna Roley (flower girl), Mrs. Wilbert N. Nelson, sponsor of Q-628, Mrs. Alf R. Dahl, sponsor of Q-629, and Linda Dahl (flower girl). (TNT 4-21-54, A-5)

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

Q-630 was one of three Q-boats launched on April 20, 1954. The 63 foot Q-boats were built for the Army under Navy supervision. The ships were expected to be delivered at Rio Vista, California, in May or June, 1954. The sponsor of Q-630 was Mrs. Vincent J. Genn, wife of the machinery superintendent at Tacoma Boat Building. LTC John Fredin was the principal speaker at the launching. View of participants posed in front of vessel; several women are holding large bouquets of roses. (TNT 4-18-54, B-10)

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

The ship's crew and officials were all on deck for the commissioning ceremony for the USS Endurance, # 435, on March 20, 1954. Broadcast over radio station KTNT, Rear Admiral A. M. Bledsoe was the principal speaker. Built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., the Endurance was the first AM-type minesweeper to pass her acceptance trials on her first try. This was the first formal commissioning of a Navy vessel in Tacoma at the Tacoma Naval Station since World War II. Command of the vessel was turned over to Lt. L. E. Martin. The Endurance joined the Pacific Fleet in California following its shakedown cruise. The 171-foot Endurance was the first of nine minesweepers of this class built by Martinac in Tacoma. (TNT 3-14-54, B-4, TNT 3-19-54, p. 1)

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

Launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer #408, the U. S. S. Wilson, on April 12, 1939. The ship was decorated with pennants and bunting and photographed at dock in the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton. Ship launchings at the Navy yard differed from those at Tacoma Shipyards. The craft was built in a construction dock which was flooded for launching, much like a bathtub. The launching consisted of the gates being opened and the boat towed out into the Sound. The destroyer under construction in the background was almost entirely submerged during the ceremony. (T. Times 4/13/1939, p. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

The destroyer USS Wilson (#408) was launched April 12,1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. On hand for the launching were, left to right, Rear Admiral E. B. Fenner, Mrs. Fenner (sponsor), Governor Clarence Martin, Mrs. Arthur B. Langlie, Major General Walter C. Sweeney. Mrs. Sweeney, and Seattle Mayor Arthur Langlie. The vessel was named after Seaman Charles Wilson, who was recognized for distinguished service in the Navy during the Civil War. (T.Times 4/13/1939, pg. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton);Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Mayors--Seattle; Fenner, Edward B.; Sweeney, Walter C.;

The launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer 408, the U. S. S. Wilson, took place April 12, 1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton. At 90% complete, the vessel was 341-feet-long with 1725 tons displacement. It carried a complement of 9 officers and 175 men. It was commissioned July 5, 1939 and received eleven battle stars for service in World War II. After sustaining damage during the war, it was selected as a target during the atom bomb test at Bikini Atoll in July of 1946. It was decommissioned in August of 1946 but remained afloat and was finally scuttled off Kwajelein in March of 1948. (T. Times, 4/13/39, p.20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

ca. 1937. U. S. Coast Guard ship 402 moored beside a wharf below the 11th Street Bridge. By June of 1937, the CG 402 had been permanently assigned to Tacoma. In peace time, they operated under the direct orders of the Treasury Department; but in wartime they answered to the secretary of the Navy. The 402 had been built on the Atlantic coast and during Prohibition, the speedy vessel had served as a rum chaser. The 402 was surplussed by the Navy in 1946 to the Boy Scouts. She is still in use, as of August 2001, as the Sea Scout Ship Charles N. Curtis #110. She is moored on the Thea Foss Waterway. (T. Times 6-3-1937, pg. 8-article).

Vessels; Government vessels; Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma;

In June of 1937, the Coast Guard Patrol Boat #402 was assigned permanently to Tacoma's Harbor. Seven members of the crew posed on the deck of their ship. They are, front row left to right, Chief Boatswain's mate T.J. Firth- commanding, Chief Machinist's Mate Floyd L. Harmon, J.J. Pinton- Seaman First Class, A.E. Davis, Seaman 2nd Class and ship's cook. Back Row: Jacob Rockov, Fireman First Class, I. W. Tucker-Boatswain's mate, A.E. Godfrey- Machinists mate First Class. The CG 402 was built on the Atlantic Coast and had previously been a rum chaser during Prohibition. She was the fastest craft in Tacoma. (T. Times 6-3-1937, pg. 8).

Vessels; Government vessels; Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma;

The bow of the passenger steamer " Arcadia" pulls up to a wharf. On board, carriers from the Times newspaper wave to the photographer. The event was the Times carriers picnic. Industries in the background include Western Ornamental Iron. The Arcadia was often rented for outings. By 1941, demand for the steamer had decreased so much that she was retired, the last of the fleet of pioneer steamers.

Ferries--1930-1940; Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940; Newspaper carriers--Tacoma; Newspaper vendors--Tacoma; Recreation--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma);

In July of 1937 the Tacoma Times newspaper chartered the steamer Arcadia to carry several hundred Times carriers from Tacoma to Redondo Beach for the annual carriers picnic. A "perfect day" marked the outing which included athletic events of all kinds and plenty of food for all. The carriers returned at the end of the day with no injuries or untoward events to report. (T. Times 7/12/1937 p.5).

Ferries--1930-1940; Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940; Newspaper carriers--Tacoma; Newspaper vendors--Tacoma; Recreation--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma);