The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, the Princess, and other dignitaries look at a scale model of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard on May 4, 1943. Standing next to the Earl is believed to be Capt. J.L. McGuigan, USN, supervisor of shipbuilding and the official escort of the royal tour. The Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard was instrumental in building several escort aircraft carriers for use during the war. (T. Times, 5-4-43, p. 3, T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Building models; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

In his official capacity as Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, Alexander, the Earl of Athlone inspected American war operations at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on May 4, 1943. The Earl and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, were accompanied by Mayor Harry P. Cain and Governor Arthur Langlie, among others, on the tour of the shipyard. He had spent the day earlier at the Bremerton Navy Yard and at Fort Lewis. Here the Earl and his wife are shown mixing with workmen at the shipyard; Mayor Cain is spotted in the background. (T. Times 5-4-43, p. 3, T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Governor General of Canada and his wife, Princess Alice, visited the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. yard on the Tacoma tideflats in May of 1943. While inspecting the construction area, the Princess brushed up against some fresh paint. Arthur McKee, safety inspector on swing shift at the Shipyard, removed the wet yellow paint from Princess Alice's hemline. The Princess thought that he was a versatile man and thanked him for his kindness. Alice and her husband, the Earl of Athlone, had toured the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard, the Bremerton Navy Yard, and Fort Lewis to examine American war operations. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; McKee, Arthur; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Vera Grenfell, Lady in Waiting to Princess Alice, with women workers after receiving a gardenia corsage at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. Marie Folk, tool room clerk, Palma Rogers and Lynn Peterson, shipfitter's helpers, presented the flowers. Miss Grenfell accompanied HRH Princess Alice and her husband, Alexander, Earl of Athlone, on a visit to the shipyards where the royal pair toured escort aircraft carriers being constructed. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1; Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1 No.7, pg 3, May 8, 1943 issue) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Grenfell, Vera; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, visited the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on May 4, 1943, to view construction of escort aircraft carriers. On the dock, they paused to speak to August Wiechman, whirley hose guard. They complimented him on his children, two sons who were lieutenant-colonels in the army, a daughter who was an army nurse and five other children in defense work. The Earl, as Canada's Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief, was very active in supporting the war effort by continuously inspecting troops, training schools and military hospitals. His wife also was quite involved as she was honorary commandant of several military units. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1 No. 7, pg. 3; May 8, 1943 issue) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Wiechman, August;

At 10 am on Thursday, October 23, 1941, 500 welders at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation walked out in sympathy with their striking Seattle brothers. Lake Washington workers had been locked out after joining an unaffiliated welders union; the conclusion to a 20 year fight with the American Federation of Labor for the right to form their own union. Welders were currently scattered among eight unions and were required to pay dues to two or more unions at the same time. By October 28th, picketers had effectively brought the shipyard to a standstill as welders and sympathizers refused to cross the picket lines. The Tacoma shipyard held 100 million in unfinished defense contracts. This photograph from October 28th demonstrates the peaceful, but loud, picketing. A truck has been halted by picketers at the shipyard entrance. The loud speakers at the left belonged to the welders, the ones to the right (over the truck) belonged to the AFL Metal Trades Council. A constant war of words had been raging for several days. (T. Times 10/23/1941, pg.1; 10/29/41, pg. 1 il)

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

On April 17, 1941, the 205th Coast Artillery anti-aircraft unit participated in "war games" at the industrial waterfront of Tacoma. The unit was defending the industrial lands, particularly the shipyards, from attack by airplane. Here, soldiers set up a large anti-aircraft cannon in a grove of trees located across the highway from Rayonier, Inc. (T. Times 4/18/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); 205th Coast Artillery (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training;

The Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. broke all their previous records in payroll war savings and the purchase of extra war bonds during the month of April 1943. They had already collected $379,518.84 locally in payroll deductions toward the national goal of $13 billion. Pictured are War Bond department manager Anson Hart and chief clerk (standing) Mrs. May McDowell. Typing certificates are Virginia Carlbloom, left, and Lillian Marshall. (TNT 4/20/1943, pg. 15- picture; T.Times, 4/20/43, p.10) [Also dated 04-12-9143]

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Hart, Anson; McDowell, May; Carlbloom, Virginia; Marshall, Lillian;

The dining room staff at Todd Shipyards on the tideflats posed for a group portrait in February of 1919 in front of what is believed to be the shipyard's dining hall. The unidentified woman in dark dress and white collar in back row may be the supervisor. The massive $1,000,000 shipbuilding plant, covering a 30-block area located around 100 Alexander Avenue, required many workers in all categories. Known formally as the Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corp., the shipyard provided a company hotel with room for over 600 men, a large dining facility, and began building modest homes for sale to shipyard employees in 1919. G33.1-132

Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corp. (Tacoma); Employee eating facilities--Tacoma; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain, left, accompanies HRH Princess Alice, wife of the Earl of Athlone, on their visit to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. The mayor is seated next to Vera Grenfell, Lady-in-Waiting to the Princess. HRH Princess Alice is seated in the back left of the open-air automobile and seated next to her is Mrs. Harold Swan, wife of the British consul in Seattle. Mayor Cain met the Princess and her husband, the Governor-General of Canada, in Olympia and escorted them to the shipyards. The touring group stopped at Fort Lewis on the way to the shipyards for a demonstration of training units. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grenfell, Vera; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of Princess Alice, the Princess, and others look at an architectural model of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Standing left to right are Capt. J.L. McGuigan, supervisor of shipbuilding and the royal couple's official escort, the Earl, Sea-Tac Assistant General Manager George F. Kachlein Jr., the Princess, two unidentified men and Mrs. Harold Swan, wife of the British consul in Seattle. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, the Princess, Mayor Harry Cain and others in the party during visit to the Sea-Tac Shipyard. The group is aboard the U.S.S. Pybus, #29, under construction at the shipyard. It was one of several escort aircraft carriers being built by Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. Pictured left to right are an unidentified man, Sea-Tac General Manager O.A. Tucker, the Earl of Athlone, Capt. J.L. McGuigan, Mrs. Harold Swan, Princess Alice, two unidentified women, Lady-in-Waiting Vera Grenfell and Mayor Harry Cain. Also known to be in the travelling party were Capt. Allen Leveson-Gower, aide de camp, British consul Harold Swan and Sir Shuldham Redfern, secretary to the Earl. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grenfell, Vera; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Princess Alice is highly amused by the combined efforts of Arthur McKee, safety inspector at the Sea-Tac Shipyard, and Capt. J.L. McGuigan to remove wet paint from the royal hemline during her visit to Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard. The Princess and her husband were so interested in viewing vital war operations that they brushed against fresh yellow paint. The Earl thought that he would leave the paint alone in remembrance of his trip to Tacoma but the Princess gladly accepted the aid of McKee and McGuigan to remove the stain. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; McKee, Arthur; McGuigan, J.L.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

While taking a much needed coffee break on June 30, 1943, new dad Carl Murray received a stack of baby presents from his fellow workers at the Seattle Tacoma Shipyards. An electrician in Shop A, Murray is surrounded by four office force employees: (in no particular order) Irene Flemish, Meletta Reed, Juanita Huston and Edith Askew. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 8; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Murray, Carl; Flemish, Irene; Reed, Meletta; Huston, Juanita; Askew, Edith; Gifts; Fathers;

In July of 1943, Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard "Civilian Navy Inspectors," also known as technical engineers, were photographed during a lunch break. This group was only a portion of the 37 inspectors who were responsible for checking and testing the shipyard's workmanship and equipment. The inspectors could be identified by their red, white and blue helmets. All were members of the Technical Engineers Union, A.F.L., and most had prior experience at the Puget Sound Navy yard in Bremerton. Onto their capable shoulders fell the task of constantly observing the shipbuilding process from the laying of the hull to the finished product and painstakingly testing each little part to make sure that the Sea-Tac ships reached the boys in the service in perfect working order. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.II No.II, Pg 4-5, July 24, 1943 issue) TPL-3304

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

In July of 1943, Al Riviere and Frank Bujan lit up an after-meal cigarette while working at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard, ignoring the giant warning painted on the building behind them. The two Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. employees were not trying to burn down the plant, they were posing for a series of photographs published in the company's newspaper. "The Keel" carried an article that month on what NOT to do to prevent fires. The company was waging war against fire, one of the most formidable foes of the war effort. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.II No.II, Pg 3 July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Riviere, Al; Bujan, Frank; Smoking; Cigarettes;

Smilin' William (Bill) Mikesell came to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards from Montana about 18 months before this July 14, 1943 portrait. Although employed as a second shift welder on the ways, his heart was with his art work. He had been dabbling in oils since 1933 and had sold several of his paintings pre-war despite the fact that he had never had any art instruction. He found numerous subjects to paint at the shipyard and several of his paintings were hung in the welders' shack on Way No. 5. After the war, he planned to retire with his earnings and return to his brushes and paint. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 8; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Mikesell, William;

Delegation looking at model of Sea-Tac Shipyards during visit of Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States. Lord and Lady Halifax spent an hour touring the big steel shipyard on July 22, 1943. The Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards were builders of aircraft carriers for use in the war. O.A. Tucker, general manager of the shipyards, is standing next to Lady Halifax who is wearing a dark jacket over a flowered skirt. Lord Halifax is standing slightly behind her, next to a man believed to be Earle Bennett, training director, who is showing the shipyard's model buildings and vessels. This was the second visit from British royalty in two months; in May the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada, and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, toured the facility and inspected aircraft carriers under construction. (TNT 7-22-43, p. 1) TPL-1959 ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Tucker, O.A.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, Dorothy, Lady Halifax, US Naval Officers and others aboard escort carrier under construction at Sea-Tac Shipyards. Lord Halifax is standing next to O.A. Tucker, general manager of the shipyard. The ambassador's party spent an hour touring the facility. Lord Halifax praised highly American labor which is building hundreds of fighting ships. (T.Times, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Tucker, O.A.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, son Lt. Richard Wood, and others on elevator aboard escort carrier under advanced construction at Sea-Tac Shipyards. A sign in large lettering painted on the ship warns of the dangers of propellers. Members of the United States Navy and British Navy were among those accompanying the Ambassador on his visit to the shipyards. He was able to make a quick inspection of a carrier under construction and then ride the plane elevator down from the flight deck. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Wood, Richard Frederick; Nobility--England; Signs (Notices); Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, and his entourage toured the facilities of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on July 22, 1943. In town to accept an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from fellow Oxford alumnus R. Franklin Thompson of the College of Puget Sound, Lord Halifax managed to squeeze in several other stops, including an inspection of escort aircraft carriers under construction at the shipyards. View of crowded deck and military officers from both the British and American navies as well as company officials. Soldier in wheelchair was the third and youngest son of Lord Halifax, Lt. Richard Wood, who had both legs amputated due to war injuries. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Wood, Richard Frederick; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States and Lady Halifax are greeted by US and British Naval officers and others at Sea-Tac Shipyards. The tall and lanky ambassador extends his hand as he is welcomed on an inspection tour of escort aircraft carriers being built by the shipyard. His entourage included his son, Lt. Richard Wood and British consul in Seattle, Harold Swan and wife. Acting Mayor C. Val Fawcett escorted the group to the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Acting Mayor C. Val Fawcett had the honor of escorting Lady Halifax, wife of the British ambassador to the United States, and two companions on a tour of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards in July, 1943. Dorothy, Lady Halifax, is looking downwards, dressed in white hat and dark jacket. Next to her is believed to be Mrs. Harold Swan, wife of the British consul in Seattle. The ambassador, his son Lt. Richard Wood, and other dignitaries rode in three other vehicles. For some reason, this picture appears to have been flipped with the steering wheel on the right hand side. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of--Family; Nobility--England; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Pretty Marmie Osborn was chosen by the employees of the Engineering Department at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard to represent the 1st shift Files in the August 1943 "All Yard Queen" contest. The winner would be crowned at the shipyard's picnic at the Sutherland Resort at Five Mile Lake. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg.6; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Osborn, Marmie;

Seattle-Tacoma shipyard employee Art Faith, right, shook hands with Seaman Basil D. Izzi during the sailor's visit to the Tacoma yard on August 25, 1943. Art Faith worked in Material Control, 2nd shift, where he held his own despite the fact that he had only one hand. Seaman Izzi had survived a record 83 days adrift in the South Atlantic, the longest in Navy history. He was assigned as a gunner on a United Nations merchant ship that was torpedoed. The nineteen year old clung to wreckage for 2 nights and a day before locating and swimming to the life raft. The 8x9 foot raft, with provisions for 16 days, drifted 2,200 miles before the three survivors were rescued. Izzi's weight had dropped from 145 to 80 pounds. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. V, pg. 3; September 4, 1943 issue; TNT 8/26/1943, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Faith, Art; Izzi, Basil;

In a special December 7, 1943 ceremony, held on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard was presented with the prestigious Army-Navy "E" Award. The "E" Award was in recognition of excellent production, beyond the expectations of the government. The awards were made before the largest crowd ever assembled, 25,000, in the Pacific Northwest for this type of event. Here a uniformed Naval officer stands before a microphone on a flag draped podium in what appears to be a secondary event connected with the award. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. XII, pg. 3; December 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Awards;

Several thousand workers at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard on Tacoma's tideflats gathered on December 7,1943, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, to watch their company receive the Army -Navy "E" pennant for excellence in production. During WWII the "E" Pennant was the highest award that could be conferred on an industrial plant. Factors in the selection of a plant for recognition were high quality and quantity of production. This was one of several ceremonies held at the shipyard to allow all shifts of workers to celebrate the awarding of the pennant and for the presentation of individual pins to plant employees . (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. XII, pg. 3; December 24, 1943 issue; T.Times 12-8-43, p. 1-article)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Awards;