On April 1, 1933, the flagship of the Imperial Japanese fleet and another Japanese naval training ship arrived in Tacoma for a three day visit. The flagship Yakumo and the Iwate were moored at the Port of Tacoma Piers. The ships were open for tours on Saturday and Sunday drawing large crowds. Over 1500 officers and men were on the two ships and were released for leave in Tacoma. Just eight years later, with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7,1941, Japan and the United States were at war. TPL-9080. Boland A11023. (TNT 4/1/1933, pg. 1; 4/3/1933, pg. 1)

Battleships--Japan; Sailors--Japan;

ca. 1916. Around 1916, the exhibition prison ship "Success," from Melbourne, Australia, was docked at the Tacoma Municipal Dock Landing and open for tours. Between 1895 and 1942, the ship was seen by millions on three continents. She was also considered a bit of a hoax, since she was exhibited as a convict ship, when in fact she had been used not to transport convicts but as a floating prison. Built in 1840, she was sold to a London company in 1842 and was used to carry emigrants from England to Australia. After being abandoned by her crew in 1852 during the Australian gold rush, she was purchased by the Victorian government to serve as a floating prison. Ordered to be destroyed in 1885, the "Success" escaped this fate, and was purchased by Alexander Phillips who saw her potential as a money making floating museum. She toured Australia, the British Isles (1895-1912) and the U.S. (1912-1943.) After 106 years, she burned to the waterline on Lake Erie on July 4, 1946. (http://home.gci.net; www.nla.gov.au) Ships-071, TPL-1787

Sailing ships--Australia;

Undated photograph of a ship docked at the Port of Tacoma.

Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Crew from Japanese cruiser, probably either the Idzumo (sp) or the Iwate, meet with a delegation from the local Japanese community on the deck of their ship in Tacoma. Photograph taken on September 6, 1932. TPL-7101

Cruisers (Warships)--Japan--1930-1940; Japanese Americans--Tacoma; Japanese--Tacoma;

Japanese cruiser, probably either the Idzumo (sp) or the Iwate, at dock in Tacoma. Crowds gather to board the ship. Photograph was taken on September 6, 1932. TPL-7102

Cruisers (Warships)--Japan--1930-1940; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The vessel "Lewis Luckenbach" of the Luckenbach Line was berthed at the Port of Tacoma on June 20, 1924, to take on a shipment of lumber. Cargo is being hoisted from a Foss barge while other barges loaded with lumber wait their turn. The big carrier would be in town for eight days while its eight hatches were filled with a little more than seven million feet of lumber. The "Lewis Luckenbach" was the largest vessel of the entire Luckenbach Line. G49.1-097 (TNT 6-18-24, p. 16-article; TNT 6-19-24, p. 5-alternate photograph)

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

The "Commercial Guide" is in port on June 20, 1924, awaiting a shipment of lumber to be hoisted aboard by crane. To the rear is the "Lewis Luckenbach " from the Luckenbach Line. Both cargo ships were docked at the Port of Tacoma. The "Commercial Guide" left Tacoma on June 22, 1924, under the command of Captain Jack Wright. She was part of the Moore & McCormick's regular intercoastal service. G49.1-105 (TNT 6-23-24, p. 15-small article on the "Commercial Guide")

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

Piles of lumber wait to be loaded onto the ship "West Nimrod" on June 24, 1924, at Tidewater Mill. The vast size of the "West Nimrod" can be compared to the much smaller tugboat nearby. A barge filled with cargo is directly next to the ship. The "West Nimrod," of the Admiral-Oriental line, arrived in Tacoma late Sunday, June 22nd. She was to stow lumber for Hong Kong and other Asian ports. G49.1-099 (TDL 6-23-24, p. 10-article)

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tugboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This ship may be the "Lewis Luckenbach" from the Luckenbach Line which had previously been taking on lumber at the Port of Tacoma dock on June 24, 1924. It has now have moved onto the St. Paul & Tacoma dock for more shipments. The "Lewis Luckenbach," largest vessel of the entire Luckenbach Line, had already loaded 5,780,000 feet of lumber at the Port piers. Another 1,300,000 feet would be taken on board at the St. Paul & Tacoma dock. The lumber would be carried to the Atlantic coast by Captain Read, master of the ship for the last 15 years. G49.1-095 (TNT 6-18-24, p. 16-article; TNT 6-19-24, p. 5-alternate photograph)

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Elevated view on June 30, 1924, of a cargo ship from the Luckenbach Line and others berthed at the St. Paul & Tacoma dock. The vessels were taking on shipments of lumber and other cargo. G50.1-001

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The "Lewis Luckenbach" of the Luckenbach Line is in the process of loading lumber at the Port of Tacoma dock when this photograph was taken on a cloudy July 2, 1924. Several hundred board feet have already been transported onto the ship. G49.1-050

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Christening of the SS Bienville. Dorothy Maxson is pictured on July 16, 1924, in the act of christening the SS Bienville at Todd Dry Dock & Construction facilities. She is the daughter of Captain and Mrs. C.P. Maxson; Captain Maxson would become the ship's new master. The Bienville was built for the Atlantic Steamship line of Southern Pacific at a cost of over a million dollars for the purpose of travel between New York and New Orleans. She was named after an old Louisiana family. Thousands of cheering spectators were present at the launching of the steamer which was the first Atlantic liner built on the Pacific Coast. After being in service less than five months, the Bienville caught on fire while being overhauled in New Orleans in mid-March of 1925. Only the crew was aboard and all escaped. G37.1-108 (TNT 6-21-21, p. 1,9-articles; TDL 7-17-24, p. 1-article; TNT 3-19-25, p. 1-fire on ship article; TDL 3-28-25, p. 1-fire on ship article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Maxson, Dorothy;

The USS Omaha at anchor in Commencement Bay at the end of July, 1924. The Omaha had streamed into the Bay on Monday, July 28th, for a week's stay. The 550-foot "scout cruiser" was accompanied by a squadron of six destroyers. She was the first of a ten-ship class of 7050-ton light cruisers. Omaha was built by Todd Dry Dock of Tacoma and launched on December 14, 1920. She would spend the next 17 years after her commissioning in 1923 serving in both the Pacific and Atlantic areas and would take an active role during WWII. G71.1-026 (www.history.navy.mil; TNT 7-24-24, p. 1-article)

Government vessels;

The Bienville at finishing dock of Todd Drydock. Once completed, she will have two stacks - one is in position now. The SS Bienville was launched at Todd Drydock & Construction (Shipyards) in Tacoma on July 16, 1924, less than five months after her keel was laid. She was built for the Atlantic Steamship lines of Southern Pacific. The combination freight and passenger vessel, 445 feet in length, had accommodations for 236 first class passengers and 110 third class passengers. The ship was sponsored by Dorothy Maxson, daughter of Capt. and Mrs. C.P. Maxson; Maxson was the commodore of Southern Pacific lines and would be the ship's master. The Bienville was expected to be delivered to Southern Pacific's New York location on December 7, 1924. She was the 38th big ship built in Todd yards since the shipyard's 1917 establishment. During the war era of 1917-20, Todd built 32 steel freight vessels for the U.S. Shipping Board. (TNT 7-16-24, p. 1; TNT 9-18-24, p. 5) G50.1-090

Ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The "Hakutatsu Maru" is pictured taking on a shipment of lumber at the Port of Tacoma on November 13, 1924, before heading back to Japan. Much of Washington's lumber was destined for the Far East. The "Hakutatsu Maru," under the command of Capt. M. Iriyh, had arrived at the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. dock on the morning of November 12th. Some 200,000 feet of lumber was loaded onto the ship before she moved to the Port of Tacoma piers that afternoon to complete loading. G49.1-173 (TNT 11-12-24, p. 20-article)

Cargo ships--Japanese; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The"Wheatland Montana" was docked at the Port of Tacoma on April 30, 1925, to discharge a shipment of 12-foot mahogany logs from the Philippines. The logs were transferred to the Buffelen Lumber Co. plant to be used in fine doors and panels. 12 flat cars were loaded with the logs since they were too heavy to be transported locally the usual way, by water. This was the first mahogany shipment received in Tacoma in some time. In addition to the logs, the "Wheatland Montana" also unloaded a 100-ton shipment of peanuts. She would carry as cargo upon departure 250,000-feet of short-length flooring. G49.1-198 (TNT 4-30-25, p. 23-article only)

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Logs; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Another cargo ship in town at the end of April, 1925, was the "Lochkatrine" of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Line. She is pictured dockside at the Port of Tacoma awaiting loading of lumber. The "Lochkatrine" had arrived on Tuesday morning the 28th and docked at the smelter to take on a load of 1,150 tons of copper. That evening she shifted over to the Port of Tacoma piers for a two-day stay where she would take on lumber and miscellaneous cargo. G49.1-069 (photograph has been cropped) (TDL 4-29-25, p. 10-article only)

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A 25-ton reel of specially constructed flexible steel cable is hoisted by a heavy Hart Construction Co. derrick from the freighter "J L Luckenbach" at the Port of Tacoma pier on June 13, 1925. The reel was too heavy to be handled by the Luckenbach's tackle. Valued at $4,850, the cable will be used as cable line by the Tacoma Railway & Power Co. It has a length of about 3 1/2 miles. G50.1-007 (TNT 6-12-25, p. 21-article; TNT 6-13-25, p. 14)

Hoisting machinery; Cargo ships--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

In late June of 1925 the Japanese "turret" ship "Taiyu Maru" was docked at the Port of Tacoma. With her curved sides, raked mast and narrow decks, she was an unusual sight. The "Taiyu Maru" had been in service for more than 25 years and according to her captain, K. Okamoto, was one of only five "turret" ships still afloat. The 450-foot vessel was to return to the Suez Canal with a cargo of Northwest fir ties to discharge in Egypt. Photograph ordered by the Port of Tacoma. G49.1-091 (TNT 6-26-25, p. 22)

Cargo ships--Japanese; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Three ships on Commencement Bay visible through the trees. They are the battleships Tennessee (foreground) and Maryland along with U.S. supply ship, Arctic, who were all in town for a three-day visit in late July of 1926. In addition to the above three, six destroyers (not pictured) were tied up at Commercial Dock. The supply ship Arctic was commanded by Commander J. N. Ferguson and Captain G.L. P. Stone was in charge of the Tennessee. All ships sailed for Port Angeles on Monday, July 26th. G71.1-025 (TDL 7-24-26, p. 1-article; TNT 7-24-26, p. 1)

Government vessels--Tacoma; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Cargo handling at the Milwaukee Dock. A large wooden crate is being either unloaded or loaded onto the unidentified vessel at the Milwaukee Dock in March of 1919. The shipment is either headed for or came from Yokohama, Japan, according to printing on the crate. G49.1-204

Cargo ships--Japanese; Shipping--Tacoma--1910-1920; Containers; Crates;

Tanker "Socony" docked in Tacoma in mid-March of 1927 at what is possibly the City Waterway. Several large companies had tanks (receiving stations) on the City Waterway at this time: Shell Oil, Associated Oil, and Standard Oil. The three tanks in the picture may have belonged to the General Petroleum Co. G49.1-075 (TNT 4-2-26, p. 1-article on plants on waterway) Photograph ordered by Allen Lubricating Co.

Tankers--United States; Storage tanks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Fleet in Commencement Bay. This long-distance view of several ships cruising about Commencement Bay was taken in July of 1927. Twelve American warships were due the weekend of July 16th including nine vessels of the destroyer squadron No. 11 and three battleships. The fleet would make Tacoma headquarters until August 20th and would cause the city's population to swell temporarily by the addition of 300 officers and 5000 enlisted men. G71.1-036 (TNT7-16-27, p. 1-article)

Commencement Bay (Wash.); Ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Warships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Government vessels--Tacoma;

The "Pacific Spruce" was the first vessel to unload cargo at the new dock of the Washington Cooperative Egg & Poultry Association, which had recently taken over the Milwaukee grain elevator and dock on the Tacoma tideflats. The ship arrived on the evening of April 26, 1927, and completed discharging 360-370 tons of oyster shells the following day. This view shows bags of oyster shells (used in chicken feed) in the process of being transported from the "Pacific Spruce" to the dock by stevedores. In the days before cargo containers every bag of shells had to be moved by hand. Suited men standing by may be officials of Washington Cooperative. The dock would now be known as "Co-op" dock. The Egg & Poultry Assn. was building a new headquarters on the dock which was soon to be completed. (TNT 4-27-27, p. 18-article); G49.1-197; TPL-661 (copy made for Washington Co-op on 10-12-27)

Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Longshoremen--Tacoma--1920-1930; Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma); Piers & whaves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1919. This photo, taken in April or May of 1919, shows the "Fort Jackson," the smaller ship in the center of the photograph, being launched at Todd Shipyards. Visiting dignitaries stand on the podium which is draped with striped bunting. G37.1-173, TPL-1435

Launchings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On March 24, 1928, 10,000 cases of eggs were loaded onto the Blue Star liner "Gothicstar" bound for Buenos Aires, Argentina. The eggs were delivered by the Washington Cooperative Egg & Poultry Assn. to its dock, "Co-op Dock" (formerly the Milwaukee dock). "Gothicstar" was one of the biggest refrigerator ships traveling between South America and the United States. It was scheduled to pick up another 40,000 crates of eggs from other ports nearby. This was a new egg market for Northwest producers as previously the East Coast had provided South America with eggs. G6.1-095 (T.Times 3-23-28, p. 10-article)

Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma); Eggs; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The "Lillian Luckenbach" was in town on February 8, 1929, to take on a load of pulp from the Union Bag & Paper Co. plant. She was one of the largest in the Luckenbach fleet and was able to load nearly 1000 tons of paper pulp bound for Union Bag's Hudson Falls, N.Y. location. It was the company's first shipment sent from Tacoma by water. Built in 1919 by the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. of Chester, Pennsylvania, the freighter was sunk in a collision with Cape Henlopen in March of 1943. G49.1-096 (TDL 2-8-29, p. 1-article; TDL 2-9-29, p. 1-article)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The freighter "Lillian Luckenbach," part of the Luckenbach Steamship Co. fleet, was dockside on February 8, 1929 at the St. Paul mill dock #2. She was here to pick up the first shipment of paper pulp sent by water by the new Union Bag & Paper Co. Tacoma plant which had commenced operations in January. The nearly 1000 tons were loaded onto the ship through four hatches. The cargo was headed to Hudson Falls, N.Y., the location of a Union Bag plant. The ship was commanded by Captain G.C. Bown of Tacoma. G49.1-110 (TDL 2-8-29, p. 1-article; TDL 2-9-29, p. 1-article)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

"Working Broadway" was the caption given to this February 13, 1929, scene of ice and snow. Two unidentified businessmen are prepared to shovel the chunks of ice and snow along Broadway. They are across the street from the A.H. McConnell Co., 728-30 Broadway, dealers in Dodge Bros. cars and Graham trucks. Tacoma was just emerging from three weeks of heavy snow and icy conditions about the time this photograph was taken. The cost to the city of (street) repairs and loss of business may have run as high as $100,000, a huge expense in 1929. G59.1-019 (TNT 2-19-29, p. 1-article on economic loss)

Shovels; Ice--Tacoma; A.H. McConnell Co. (Tacoma);

The ship "Seattle" of the Tacoma Oriental line is docked next to the Associated Oil Co.'s plant along the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway in early May of 1929, as she prepares to load fuel oil. Associated Oil was a relative newcomer to Tacoma as the company's plant was built in 1925. It was a major distributor of fuel and diesel oil and gasoline to all parts of southwestern Washington. TPL-6705; G49.1-047 (TDL 5-7-29, p. 13-mention of "Seattle")

Associated Oil Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930; City Waterway (Tacoma);