On August 22, 1934, several men standing on the roof of the Jones Building (now known as the Pantages) craned their necks to watch the airship Macon fly over the downtown skyline. Thousands lined the streets and rooftops of buildings to watch the dirigible make a wide circle over the city around 8 a.m. Construction of the dirigible cost the US two and a half million dollars. Tacoma was also visited by airships Shenandoah in 1924 and Akron in 1932. The Macon was lost over the Pacific Ocean offshore of Point Sur Feb. 12, 1935. (T. Times 8/22/1934, pg. 1)

Airships--Tacoma; Jones Building (Tacoma); Historic buildings--Tacoma;

Four large mothballed military vessels berthed in Bremerton were photographed for the Bremerton Sun in August of 1935. Locals referred to this area to the west of the Navy yard as the "Boneyard," the home to unused and sometimes outdated vessels. The vessel with the white bow, second from left, was the Patoka, one of the few vessels ever fitted with a dirigible mooring mast on the deck. The wide, tower-like mast can be seen on the left side of the photograph. Built in 1919, the vessel was stored due to the declining size of the peacetime Navy. Also mothballed at the Navy yard were the Aroostook, the USS Pyro (one of only 2 ammunition ships constructed by the US government,) and the oil burning Prometheus and Jason. (Bremerton Sun 8/15/1935, pg. 1)

Boat graveyards--Bremerton; Government vessels--Bremerton; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

The rowing crew from the U.S.S San Francisco holds their oars aloft to signify victory in th 1936 Whaleboat races, a Fleet Week event. The crew was faster than the other 8 teams representing each of the eight other cruisers in Tacoma for fleet week. (T. Times 7/31/1936, pg. 1 & 3)

Boat racing; Rowboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowing races--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowers;

1939 Studebaker Champion automobile being raffled by Ray C. Roberts V.F.W. Post on back of a flatbed truck. Truck has logo of man riding a bronco on the door. The automobile was raffled off at a VFW benefit ball. For a picture of the car with its winner, Clara Thorsen, see D8931 images 1& 3. (filed with Argentum)

Studebaker automobile; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ray C. Roberts Post # 969 (Tacoma);

On February 27, 1947, photographs were taken of this wrecked and twisted Medosweet Dairy truck moments after it was hit by a four car southbound train at 10:05 am. The accident took place at a private road crossing 3.5 miles south of the city limits. The truck was carried over 150 feet down the tracks, leaving milk, crunched cartons and broken bottles in its wake. Route supervisor Alex McBeath Jr. was killed in the accident and driver William J. Velacich was seriously injured. (T. Times 2/28/1947, pg. 3- picture, 2/27/47, pg.1)

Wrecks; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1930-1941; Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Crew of the American freighter "Wildwood". Crew posed for portrait on wharf with hull of ship as background. The freighter, owned by the American Steamship Co., had turned around mid Pacific and returned to Tacoma to unload its "hot" cargo. The cargo consisted of copper, brass, and machinery intended for Russia.

Cargo ships; Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Photographs from auto wreck on Seattle-Tacoma Highway taken on June 11, 1940. This Dodge coupe sustained massive front end damage including broken headlight and smashed fenders and bumper. See D9847, image 1 for view of a different damaged car which was possibly involved in the same accident. Its front end was heavily damaged with broken windshield, running board, tire and hood damage.

Dodge automobile; Traffic accidents--1940-1950;

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

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;

Automobile hit by train which killed Mrs. Hull of Steilacoom. A small group of men and teenagers stand at the railroad crossing to the wharf and Steilacoom ferry dock where the accident occurred on November 27, 1939. Mrs. William A. Hull, wife of a McNeil Island federal penitentiary guard, died when the vehicle she was driving was struck by a Union Pacific freight train as it crossed the railroad tracks. The 40-year-old woman was thrown clear upon impact. She had been on her way to pick up her husband who was returning to the mainland from the island. Mrs. Hull was thought to have been driving slowly and possibly did not see the train in time. (TNT 11-28-1939, p. 1-article & alt. photograph)

Traffic accidents--Steilacoom; Railroad accidents--Steilacoom; Railroad crossings--Steilacoom; Hull, William A.--Family;

Scene of traffic accident for insurance claim #700648, Allstate Insurance Company. Highway where road Ys into another road. Houses in background. Sign reads : "The Rosebud Groceries & Notions." This scene was photographed on April 24, 1940.

Traffic accidents; Roads;

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

Vessels; Ferries;

Two Ford trucks at Coast Sash and Door Company. Three men by Hunter Fuel truck with wooden sides on bed. One man by second truck with truck dolly and other equipment. Hunter Fuel was owned by Merritt J. Hunter and was located at 6202 McKinley Ave. (filed with Argentum)

Ford trucks; Coast Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma); Hunter Fuel (Tacoma);

New Fuel Oil Service Corp. truck in street in front of residence. The driver casually poses with his elbow outside the Mack truck's window. The bright red vehicle would have been visible for quite a distance away. ALBUM 15.

Fuel Oil Service (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Four men in front of three McKenzie Fuel Company trucks parked in front of two wooden industrial buildings. Photograph ordered by Titus Motor Co. The 1940 City Directory lists the McKenzie Fuel Co. address as Taylor Way at Dolge Mill. The company offered slab and mill wood, hogged fuel, sawdust and stove and diesel oil. (filed with Argentum)

McKenzie Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

According to Richards Studio notes: "Tacoma Bread Co. truck which was involved on Mountain Highway accident." Photograph ordered by Charles A. Peterson, lawyer. Delivery truck with Manthou's Kream Krust Bread logo parked in front of three bay garage. Tacoma Bread Co.'s main product appeared to be their Kream Krust Bread. The bakery was located at 2836-38 So. I St. It was owned and operated by the Manthou family. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Bread Co. (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In February of 1941, a British American War Relief Committee ambulance was on display in front of the Beverly Theater, at 916-18 Broadway. The offices of the British American War Relief Headquarters can be seen upstairs at 914 1/2 Broadway. The ambulance was on a fund raising tour prior to being shipped to Britain. (T. Times 2/8/1941, pg. 3)

Ambulances--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma; British American War Relief Committee (Tacoma); Beverly Theater (Tacoma);

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.;

ca. 1935. Three men beside Ford truck loaded with large rocks on South 12th Street by National Bank of Tacoma and Post Office. Sign on truck reads "The 1935 Double Duty Ford V8 Truck. Ask for a Demonstration - H.E. Stimpson Motor Company ......." (filed with Argentum)

Ford trucks--1930-1940; Stimpson Motor Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1935. Three men sitting on large rocks on back of a Ford flatbed truck on A Street by Pioneer Bindery and 4L Hall. For H.E. Stimpson Motor Company. (filed with Argentum)

Ford trucks--1930-1940; Stimpson Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Washington Navigation Company ferries. Two women work as galley crew preparing coffee and pancakes for travelers. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company.

Ferries--Tacoma; Galleys (Ship kitchens); Cooks; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

On March 10, 1938 the soldiers of Fort Lewis' 125 member 3rd Balloon Company, under the command of Major M. E. McHugo test flew the newest addition to their arsenal. The new blimp was 105 feet lomg and could attain a top speed of 40 miles per hour. It was considered to be a great advance over the blimps used during the First World War. (T.Times, 3/11/1938, p.1).

Balloons (Aircraft)--Fort Lewis; Balloonists; Air pilots--Fort Lewis; Military personnel--Fort Lewis; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Loading of Norwegian motorship "Nordhval" with scrap streetcar tracks for shipment to Japan. Man pushing tracks over rail into hold of ship. Japan, at war with China, would not say what the 2,500 tons of scrap metal in the shipment would be used for. Over 1/2 of the scrap came from the useless ties in the TR & P Bay street yards. The streetcars had been discontinued in Tacoma in June of 1938. (T.Times, 10/17/1938, p. 5).

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shipping--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shaffer Terminals, Inc. (Tacoma);

In October of 1938 the Norwegian motorship "Nordhval," bound for Japan, was being loaded with old streetcar rails at the Shaffer Terminals, Dock No. 2 on Tacoma's waterfront. Two men operate cranes as another man watches the rails being loaded. Tacoma's last streetcar had been taken out of service in April of 1938 as the old method of travel was replaced with city buses. Street railroad tracks were only a portion of the 2,500 tons of scrap metal assembled from various parts of the Northwest that were being sent to Japan aboard the "Nordhval." (T.Times, 10/17/38, p.5)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shipping--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shaffer Terminals, Inc. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

Close up of port side view of lumber laden cargo ship "American Robin" tied up at North Coast Dock on City Waterway (Thea Foss Waterway) below Stadium High School.

Cargo ships--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Loading docks--Tacoma; North Coast Dock (Tacoma); Warehouses--Tacoma;

In November of 1934, part of the fishing fleet was pictured moored at the Port Commission Docks. Tacoma at this time was home to about 45 fishing vessels. Among the fleet were the "Sima", the "Argo", and the "Sapho". A motorboat, the "Hazel" was tied to the Port walkway. The November 20th Tacoma Times published an editorial advocating that Tacoma build a larger Marina for the fleet, one that could dock upwards to 300 boats. The area suggested was along the south strip of the Port of Tacoma, near the Port Piers. (T. Times 11/20/1934, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Fishing fleet moored at the Port Commission Docks. Close view of row of fishing boats detailing their cabins, masts and riggings. (WSHS)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1935. Three trucks with drivers parked in front of Davis Motor Truck Company. Davis Motor Co. manufactured Diamond T trucks. (filed with Argentum)

Davis Motor Truck Company (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Diamond T trucks;

ca. 1936. Two men working on the hull of sailboat moored on the beach. Concrete bulkhead, roadway, and hillside in background. Automobiles parked along the road include a truck from Covach Bros. grocery.

Boats--Tacoma; Beaches--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Lazy afternoon. Three people sit on the edge of a dock watching a small motor boat pass by with three people and two black dogs aboard.

Boats--Tacoma; Piers & wharves--Tacoma;