Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. was started in 1936 by H. Dahl and A. Strom. The partners wanted to build fishing vessels for North Pacific fishermen. In 1941 they signed their first contract to build government boats and moved into a larger, newly expanded plant at the head of the City Waterway. View of YP 625, a Navy patrol craft. TPL-8893

Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Pacific Boat Building Company, the "Sun Rocket". The newly launched boat still has an American flag draped over her bow while tied to a dock.

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

Tacoma Boat fish boat water shots. A view of the port side of North Sea, a combination fishing vessel, on Puget Sound. She was owned by Henry Stakset, Ernest Nelson and Richard Rydman, had a 100 hp Washington diesel engine and was sistership to North Star. Tacoma Boatbuilding Company was started in 1936 by H. Dahl and A. Strom. The partners wanted to build fishing vessels for North Pacific fishermen. (Fisherman Yearbook, 1945, p.256, 376)

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

March 5, 1944, saw the launching of a 72-foot tug built for the U.S. Army by Pacific Boat Building of Tacoma. View of wood boat with bunting.

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

Launching at Puget Sound. Rear view of the C. R. Martinolich yacht, belonging to Carl R. Martinolich, the company's Machinist Superintendent. The Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. relocated their shipbuilding plant to San Francisco, California in July 1940.

Yachts--Tacoma; Ships--Tacoma;

Launching at Puget Sound. The Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. was operated by four brothers here in Tacoma up until July 1940, when two of the brothers relocated the plant to San Francisco, CA. Carl R. Martinolich was the Machinist Superintendent for the company. View of Carl's yacht, prior to launching.

Yachts--Tacoma; Ships--Tacoma;

Puget Sound Boat Building received 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. Interior view of plant with ship builders on vessel.

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

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. Interior view of plant with stern view of vessel. TPL-8027

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

Pacific Boat Building Co. received a government contract to build four barges for the Army. All vessels were to be built with wood, diesel powered and sea-going. View of hull building progress for 88 foot self propelled cargo barge at Pacific Boat plant.

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

John Breskovich sea trials of "Shangri-La of Astoria." John Breskovich was the owner of Pacific Boat Building Co. and the Vice-President of Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. Side view of "Shangri-La of Astoria" with "Patty," the motor boat, by ship's mast. TPL-8881

Boats--Tacoma; Motorboats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Breskovich, John; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

American Girl launching. The American Girl tuna boat, built by Petrich Shipbuilding, was commissioned by Joe Alves and Joe Machado. They are affiliated with the Van Camps Seafood Co. in San Diego, California. Stern view of American Girl tuna boat in Puget Sound. The ship was launched at Old Town dock on July 23, 1944. Among those present were Petrich Shipbuilding owners, skipper Joe Machado, co-owner Joe Alves, sponsor Lucille Machado and Acting Mayor Val Fawcett. (T. Times, 7/24/44, p. 2-article on launching; TNT 7-24-44, p. 1-article on launching). TPL-8869

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound boat. "Sea Boy" is an 85- ft. sardine boat built by Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. She was built for Bill and Ted Healy. This boat is the fourth seine boat built at the Puget Sound yard. View of "Sea Boy" out on Puget Sound in mid-September, 1944. TPL-8874

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

Peterson Boat Building Co. was started in 1942 by George Peterson, a long time Tacoma boat builder. This was a small but busy plant. They built fishing boats, but also received government contracts to build vessels for the Army and the Navy. View of West Coast, a tuna clipper, on Puget Sound for sea trials. TPL-8875

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

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-8887

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

Puget Sound boat. Sea Boy is an 85 ft. sardine boat built by Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. It was built for Bill and Ted Healy. This boat is the fourth seine boat built at the Puget Sound yard. View of Sea Boy out on Puget Sound. TPL-9117

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

Pacific Boat Building Co. was working on four barges for the Army, they also had other government contracts to build purse seiners. Rear view of propellers on 88 foot self propelled cargo barge. The barge was made of wood, diesel powered and would be a sea going vessel.

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

Pacific Boat Building Co. was working on four barges for the Army, they also had other government contracts to build purse seiners. Front view of U. S. Army B.S.P. 3131, an 88 foot self propelled cargo barge. The barge was made of wood, diesel powered and would be a sea going vessel.

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

Marvin Marine Repair Co. was originally a fishing boat repair company, but with the need for war related products they received government contracts to repair and build landing crafts and barges for the military. View of U. S. Army B.C. 1708.

Government vessels--Tacoma; Landing craft--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marvin Marine Repair Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat Building Company completed the sardine seiner, North American, in 1944. Tacoma Boat Building was owned by H. Dahl and A. Strom, who were dedicated to building quality fishing vessels for North Pacific fishermen. View of North American's helm, compass and engine controls. TPL-8880

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

Aerial views of Evelyn Burleson in her airplane, "Miss Liberty," in flight from Canada to Mexico. (T. Times)

Airplanes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Burleson, Evelyn; Aerial photographs--1940-1950; Monoplanes;

Aerial views of Evelyn Burleson in her airplane, "Miss Liberty," in flight from Canada to Mexico in October of 1941. This picture was captured by a neighboring plane as she passed through Pierce County. (T. Times)

Airplanes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Burleson, Evelyn; Aerial photographs--1940-1950; Monoplanes;

The three Liberty boats constructed by Birchfield Boiler for Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle are underway in Commencement Bay. The seiners are dwarfed by baby flat tops constructed in Tacoma and "mothballed" in the harbor after World War II. Ordered by Birchfield Boiler.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A view of the galley aboard "Libby No. 10" built by Birchfield Boiler. This narrow galley provides the required equipment for the two officers and four crewmen while at sea. A sink and metal counter are shown on the left with a cook stove and refrigerated storage area on the right. A table with benches lining the walls of the boat is seen at the back. Ordered by Bob Dorrim.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Galleys (Ship kitchens)

The three Liberty boats, Libby No. 9, No. 10, and No.11, are underway in Commencement Bay heading for Alaska fishing grounds. The seiners were powered by Chrysler Royal marine engines with 3.16 to 1 reduction gears from the National Supply Engine Corporation, Seattle, complete with accessories and keel coolers. Ordered by Birchfield Boiler. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of the "Bev Marie". The 113 foot tuna clipper was built for Captain Paul Lynn. She could carry a crew of 14 and a small seaplane, the first ship to be built in Tacoma with plans for a plane. She had a refrigerated capacity to carry 230 tons of fish. (TNT, 4/22/1950, p.7) TPL-9029

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Photo of Griffin Fuel Co.'s new bulk storage station in Lakewood. After the company's move to its headquarters on Commerce St. in the early 1900's, the company ceased all sidelines and expanded its fuel service to include sawdust, coal and fuel oil. Coal bunkers and fuel oil storage moved throughout the city, until only coal storage and company headquarters were located on Commerce. This photo was used in an ad stating "You can be sure of instant delivery service from Griffin's huge new storage plant in Lakewood." Griffin took calls at anytime and made deliveries night, day, Sundays and holidays.They made a considerable investment in new trucks with a ratio of maximum gallons to minimum weight, insuring immediate delivery over any type of road. The company made sure its trucks and mobile machinery received the best possible care by fully staffing its own repair shop and garages. (TNT 2/16/1951, pg. 13)

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fuel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fuel tanks;

The "Golden Glow" fishing vessel built by Peterson Boat Building Company. Boat moving through water, creating wave, with crew aboard. She was photographed on February 12, 1951.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Damage to a Tacoma Transit Co. bus after a night time car-bus accident. An Air Force sergeant was killed in a terrific broadside collision at 66th St. and South Tacoma Way when the station wagon he was driving smashed into the side of a Tacoma Transit bus. The bus was crossing the street with the green light when the sergeant's vehicle ran the red light with no slowing. The station wagon was travelling at a speed in excess of 55-80 mph just before the crash that knocked the eastbound bus sideways ten feet into a wooden power pole that snapped. Every window on the left side of the bus was smashed. (TNT 3/21/1951, pg. 1)

Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Mass transit--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wrecks; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Hortensia-Bertin sits in the ways building at Tacoma Boat Building ready for launching into Commencement Bay. The large tuna clipper was designed by Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, and measured 103' x 24'10". O.E. Bertin would be her captain. She would have outstanding communication capabilities with radiophone and code instruments, a Northern Radio sending set and a National receiver. She was capable of carrying a crew of 20 and 185 tons of fish at 10 knots. Her home port was to be Tegucigalpa, Honduras. (TNT, 1/5/1950, p.21; Pacific Fisherman, April 1950, p.26; Pacific Fisherman, October 1950, p.12) TPL-9024

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

Launching of the John N. Cobb at Western Boat. L-R, Mrs. Emmett Egan and Mrs. Margaret E. Johnson, wife of Captain Sheldon W. Johnson, stand ready to christen the John N. Cobb, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service exploratory vessel. She was named after John N. Cobb, the first Dean of the School of Fisheries of the University of Washington, who had also served with the United States Bureau of Fisheries. Ordered for the Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. (Marine Digest, 2/4/1950)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Egan, Emmett--Family; Johnson, Margaret E.;