The YFB-87, built for the U.S. Navy, was the first vessel launched from Western Boat Building's new shipbuilding plant at 1720 Marine View Dr. N.E. on the Hylebos Waterway. The 165-foot ferry, christened by Mary Petrich, slid down the ways on December 18, 1969. This ferry was not built to operate in Washington waters but instead was towed to Hawaii where she was used for the Pearl Harbor - Ford Island runs. She was completed in May, 1970 and christened "Moko Holo Hele" which means "Ship that goes back and forth". YFB-87 is no longer in service between Pearl Harbor and Ford Island. She went out of service when the Admiral Bernard "Chick" Clarey Bridge opened in April, 1998. (Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co.) (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Mary Petrich, daughter of Western Boat Building vice-president James Petrich, christens the new Pearl-Harbor bound YFB-87 ferry on December 18, 1969. The traditional bottle of champagne has exploded upon impact. The YFB-87 ferry was the first vessel launched at Western Boat's new shipbuilding plant on the Hylebos Waterway. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co. (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Petrich, Mary;

View of PG-96, the USS Benicia, on launch date of December 20, 1969. The Benicia, the second US Navy ship to bear the name and named after the city of Benicia, California, was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos on December 20, 1969. The 165-foot gunboat had a 24-foot beam and could reach speeds of 40k. She would be commissioned on April 20, 1970 and decommissioned on October 2, 1971. After service in the South Korean navy, the ship was struck from the Naval Register on August 30, 1996, decommissioned and scrapped. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4; www.navsource.org/archives)

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

Post-launch view of the USS Benicia. The all-aluminum patrol gunboat was successfully launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new shipyard on the Hylebos on December 20, 1969. She had been christened by Mrs. W.F. Petrovic, the wife of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's commander. Tacoma's shipbuilders were very busy during the 1960's with orders from the US Navy as well as from individuals, particularly those seeking big fishing vessels. Both Western Boat Building and Tacoma Boatbuilding would operate from new, larger plants on the Hylebos in 1969. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

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

Boat launching. With a mighty swing, Mrs. W.F. Petrovic christened the new patrol gunboat, the USS Benicia, at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new $3,000,000 shipyard on the Hylebos Waterway on December 20, 1969. Mrs. Petrovic was the wife of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's commander. The 165-foot vessel, PG-96, was made entirely of aluminum. The Benicia was the 10th of 12 165-foot gunboats being built for the Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. She would be commissioned in April of 1970. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 4-20-69, B-19; TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petrovic, W.F.--Family;

Launching. Champagne explodes as Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, wife of the ship's co-owner, officially christens the tuna seiner, "Polaris," on March 7, 1970. The 165-foot fishing boat was one of three ships built for Joseph and Edmund Gann of San Diego by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The sister ship of the "John F. Kennedy" would be handed over to her owners in May and would join the Gann fleet operating near South America and Africa. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23 - article) TPL-9452

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gann, Joseph A.--Family; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching party. Posed before the 165-foot tuna seiner, the "Polaris," are members of the launching party on March 7, 1970. The fishing vessel was built for the Gann brothers of San Diego by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. It was the 9th seiner built of that size by Martinac and one of three built for Joseph and Edmund Gann by the company. Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, clutching the traditional spray of red roses, was the ship's sponsor. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23- article) TPL-9454

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gann, Joseph A.--Family; Roses--Tacoma; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching. The crowd at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Marine View Dr. facility has just watched the "Grand Rapids" slide gracefully down the ways on April 4, 1970. The ship was the 11th of 12 gunboats built under contract for the US Navy. House Minority Leader and future president Gerald R. Ford and family were on hand for the festivities as the vessel was named after the Fords' home town in Michigan.

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Crowds--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Propeller of "Cape San Vincent." The "Cape San Vincent" was launched in the pre-dawn hours of March 20, 1969, into the City Waterway. The tuna seiner was built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation for Edmund A. Gann of California. The 165-foot fishing boat could carry a crew of 14 and was equipped with a 2800 horsepower General Motors diesel main engine. She had a 650-ton frozen tuna capacity and was scheduled to be delivered to her owner in late spring. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-9-69, C-27; TNT 3-20-69, C-16) TPL-9398

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching of the "Cape San Vincent." The "Cape San Vincent" was successfully launched in the early morning hours of March 20, 1969, from the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding yard. She slid down the ways into the City Waterway. Martinac Shipbuilding was busy at this time with five tuna seiners under construction, three of them built with federal funds. The "Cape San Vincent," 165 feet in length, could carry a crew of 14. She would be turned over to her owner, Edward A. Gann of Southern California, in late spring and used to fish in the San Pedro area. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-9-69, C-27; TNT 3-20-69, C-16) TPL-9397

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Mrs. Edmund A. Gann of California did the honors in christening the 165-foot tuna seiner, "Cape San Vincent," at 5:30 a.m. on March 20, 1969 at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding's yard. She is pictured breaking the traditional bottle of champagne across the ship's bow. Mrs. Gann is the wife of the "Cape San Vincent's" owner. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-9-69, C-27; TNT 3-20-69, C-16) TPL-9394

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Gann, Edmund A.--Family;

Boat launching. An interested crowd listens as launching ceremonies continue pre-dawn on March 20, 1969, at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding yard. The "Cape San Vincent," a 165-foot tuna seiner, awaits launching on the City Waterway. The ship, with a frozen tuna capacity of 650 tons, is scheduled for delivery to owner Edward A. Gann in late spring. She will be used to fish in the San Pedro, California, waters. The "Cape San Vincent" is one of five tuna seiners under construction at Martinac Shipbuilding; three of these are being built under a federal subsidy program. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. (TNT 3-9-69, C-27, TNT 3-20-69, C-16) TPL-9396

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Public speaking--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A small "Trap Servicing" boat built for use at Tacoma City Light's Mossyrock Dam is successfully launched on November 13, 1968. Two men appear to be disconnecting the cables from the large crane that had carefully lowered the workboat into the Port Industrial Waterway. The 36-foot craft was built for $61,400 wtih Peterson Boatbuilding Co. as prime contractor and with Star Marine Industries subcontracting the hull. Photograph ordered by Star Marine Industries. (TNT 11-14-68, C-8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery; Star Marine Industries (Tacoma);

The tug Brynn Foss assists in the launching of the tuna seiner, "Cheryl Marie," in the early morning of December 7, 1968. The 176-foot fishing boat was one of three being built at Tacoma Boatbuilding with the U.S. Maritime Commission paying 48% of the cost under the Fishing Fleet Improvement Act of 1964. Each vessel would cost $1.8 million. The "Cheryl Marie" was owned and captained by John Silveira. She would be turned over to Captain Silveira in February of 1969. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 11-24-68, B-19) TPL-9218

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

Work is being done on a boat with a Seacrete application at Star Marine Industries during February of 1969. This view shows the vessel's bow. Star Marine Industries was the marine division of Star Iron & Steel. Photograph ordered by Star Marine Industries.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma; Star Marine Industries (Tacoma);

ca. 1969. Boat under construction at Tacoma Boatbuilding ca. 1969. Part of a ship's hull is exposed with workmen sitting within. Name of ship and exact date are not known. TPL-9447

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

Keel laying. Keel laying ceremonies were held at Martinolich Shipbuilding on June 23, 1972 for a 90 x 25-foot long line being built for the Honolulu Fishing Corp. and its owner, David Abeshima. Completion date was expected to be on February 1, 1973. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Holding the traditional bouquet of red roses and cradling a bottle of champagne is Denise Andrade, daughter of Captain Manuel Andrade of San Diego. Denise was the official sponsor undertaking christening duties of the new tuna seiner, "Sea Royal," which was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Hylebos location on November 11, 1972. With the young sponsor are members of her family. At 9:00 a.m., Denise would take a two-handed swing and officially launch the 225-foot fishing boat. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 11-7-72, p. 24- article; TNT 11-12-72, B-6 -article) TPL-9757

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Andrade, Denise;

Copy of customer print. Undated photograph of ship under construction at Tacoma Boatbuilding. This is possibly the "SES-100A" experimental craft built in the very early '70s by Tacoma Boatbuilding. If so, the ship would ride on a cushion of air at very rapid speeds. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ground-effect machines; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Sponsor at launching. The 184-foot fishing vessel, "Aquarius," was launched on December 5, 1970. She was built by Martinac Shipbuilding who had built the "Conquest" for the couple to the left, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Madruga, two years before. The other couple in the photograph is believed to be the Richard Madrugas, co-owners of the tuna seiner. The Madruga brothers operated a tuna fleet for Van Camp Sea Foods. The new ship carried a crew of 16 and had an 850-ton frozen fish capacity. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 12-7-70, p. 36 - article) TPL-9530

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Madruga, Joseph; Madruga, Joseph--Family;

Launching. Champagne spurts as with a mighty swing, Mrs. Frank Gargas (sp) officially christens the new tuna seiner, the "Voyager," on February 12, 1972. The 237-foot fishing boat was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding and launched that Saturday afternoon at the company's Hylebos Waterway plant. Once outfitting and sea trials were completed in March, the ship would be turned over to her owners, Voyager, Inc., of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 2-14-72, p. 18 - article) TPL-9754

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching. The 237-foot tuna seiner, "Voyager," was successfully launched on Saturday afternoon, February 12, 1972, on the ways at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Hylebos Waterway facility. The ship is owned by Voyager, Inc., of San Juan, Puerto Rico. She will be delivered to her owners after undergoing sea trials in March. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (TNT 2-14-72, p. 18) TPL-9756

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching. Mrs. Frank Gargas (sp), wife of the "Voyager's" captain, poses in front of the 237-foot fishing boat on February 12, 1972. The tuna seiner was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding for Voyager, Inc., of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Mrs. Gargas was the ship's sponsor and would have the pleasant duty of christening the ship with the bottle of champagne she is holding. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 2-14-72, p. 18 -article) TPL-9755

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching party. The "Anela," a 100 x 25-foot steel tuna fishing sampan was launched at Martinolich Shipbuilding facilities on the Blair (formerly Port Industrial) Waterway at high tide in the early morning hours of October 18, 1971. Posed before the ship is the official launching party, including Martinolich president, Anthony Martinolich. Miss Rosemary Shinsato, daughter of owner Jack Shinsato, was the ship's sponsor; she was assisted by her mother, Mrs. Masae Shinsato. Both women are holding large bouquets of long stemmed roses. As a nod to the Hawaiian origins of the owners, fresh flower leis are being worn by everyone in the group. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding. (TNT 10-18-71, p. 9 )

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Sampans--Tacoma; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Shinsato, Rosemary; Shinsato, Masae; Martinolich, Anthony J.; Roses--Tacoma;

"SES-100A" experimental craft. The 100-ton surface effect ship (SES) was christened on July 24, 1971, at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co.'s facility on the Hylebos. A joint project of Tacoma Boatbuilding and California's Aerojet-General Corporation, the ship rides on a cushion of air at speeds far surpassing the swiftest of destroyers. Propulsion is provided by high capacity waterjets driven by gas turbine engines adapted to marine use. Mrs. Warren G. Magnuson performed the sponsor's duty of christening the craft with the traditional bottle of champagne; her husband, senator from Washington, was the principal speaker. View of the SES-100A along with empty reviewing stand. (TNT 7-14-71, A-1- article; TNT 7-25-71, A-19)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ground-effect machines; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Side-and-rear view of the "SES-100A," a revolutionary 100-ton prototype craft produced in conjunction with Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Aerojet-General Corporation of California, and the U.S. Navy. The ship was christened by Mrs. Warren G. Magnuson in ceremonies occurring on July 24, 1971, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. According to the Christening Ceremony Program, the high-speed Surface Effect Ship (SES) was to be tested to provide data for design of multi-thousand ton SES of the future. It was built from several modern materials, principally of a welded aluminum alloy, so that it would have longevity at sea. Ship construction and outfitting was done by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Photograph ordered by Reynolds Metal, Portland. ("Christening Ceremony Program")

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ground-effect machines; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Admiral T. T. Craven and Mrs. Isabel Anderson at the launching of two new U.S. Navy Destroyers, "Cushing" and "Perkins," at Bremerton Navy Yard on December 31, 1935. Mrs. Anderson is holding the encased christening bottle. The "Perkins" was named after her father, George Hamilton Perkins, a Civil War hero. (Bremerton Sun).

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940; Craven, T.T.; Anderson, Isabel;

ca. 1926. Boat under construction. M1400 being launched. (WSHS)

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

ca. 1971. Boat under construction at Tacoma Boatbuilding in January of 1971. This view is of the exposed hull.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma;

Mold Loft employees at the Sea-Tac Shipbuilding Co. Angus McCauley, foreman. The Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. opened in 1939 on the Tideflats at the site of the old Todd Shipyards. The company grew as America prepared for and entered the second World War. Shipbuilding became Tacoma's primary wartime industry.

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