Launching of "Miss California" at Peterson Boat Building Company. The new 96-foot tuna clipper is draped with an American flag as she sits in the ways prior to launching. Miss California cost approximately $250,000. She would carry a 400-hp Enterprise diesel for her main power plant, plus two 140-hp GM generators. Her beam was 25.5 feet and she had a depth of 12.5 feet. She would carry a crew of 12 and had a cruising range of 9,000 miles. It was reported in December 1951 that Capt. Manuel J. Sousa brought Miss California for her second trip in the fast time of 23 days. (TNT, 5/13/1951, p.B-2, Pacific Fisherman, Dec. 1951, pj.38)

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

Launching of "Miss California" at Peterson Boat Building Company. This view shows the stern and the underside of the new fishing boat prior to launching as she sits in the ways. A man standing below her on the right gives scale to the boat. The vessel was launched on May 10, 1951.

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

Launching of "Miss California" at Peterson Boat Building Company. Portrait of Captain Manuel Sousa, Mrs. Sousa with a bouquet of roses and Teres Sousa, daughter of Miss California's captain, with an orchid corsage and the ceremonial champagne bottle, and George Peterson, general manager of Peterson Boat. (TNT, 5/13/1951, p.B-2; Pacific Fisherman, Sept, 1951, p.53)

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sousa, Teres; Sousa, Manuel; Sousa, Manuel--Family; Peterson, George J.;

Launching of "Miss California" at Peterson Boat Building Company on May 10, 1951. Nine-year-old Teres Sousa, daughter of "Miss California's" captain, Manuel Sousa, is christening the new fishing boat with a bottle of champagne under watchful eye of her mother, holding a bouquet of roses, and two men. The dignitaries are standing on scaffolding inside the ways building. (TNT, 5/13/1951, p.B-2)

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sousa, Teres; Sousa, Manuel--Family;

Launching of "Miss California" at Peterson Boat Building Company. The tugboat "Peter Foss" is pushing the fishing boat to the dock where the interior will be completed. A stormy sky is overhead on this May 10, 1951, day. The 96-foot tuna clipper was expected to be delivered to her San Diego owners in mid-June. (TNT, 5/13/1951, p.B-2)

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

Launching of "Miss California" at Peterson Boat Building Company. The crowd attending the ceremony dispersed after the new tuna clipper was launched down the ways.

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

Peterman Manufacturing Company with a water tower and ongoing construction projects visible.