Skansie's Shipbuilding Company built their first fishing boat, this boat will join the Puget Sound fishing fleet. Skansie's was located at 3209 Harborview Drive in Gig Harbor; the shipyard was operated by the Skansie brothers, Mitchell Jr. and William. View of unnamed 59 foot fishing boat, built by the Skansie shipyards, after having been launched (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). TPL-8306
Skansie's Shipbuilding Company had just built their first fishing boat in April of 1949. Skansie's had built other types of vessels in the past, including a ferry boat. View of Skansie fishing boat launching party; John Cosulich (right) and Mrs. John Cosulich (third from left) are the launching sponsors; other four people are not identified (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). According to a patron the individuals in the photo are John Cosulich on the far right, Dolores (Mrs. Tony Cosulich) third from left (not Mrs. John Cosulich), and Tony Cosulich, Dolores' husband, on the far left.
Birchfield Boiler company were builders of all steel welded vessels of all types and designs. Birchfield fabricated the steel used in their ship building and also specialized in ship repairs and conversions. View of Birchfield Boiler built "Situk", a 48 foot by 16 foot by 28 inch power scow built for Libby McNeill and Libby.
Barges--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);
Richards Commercial Photo Service was one of the leaders in the photography industry in Tacoma; they offered their professional services for social events, weddings, industrial, studio and any other type of photography desired. March 1949 view of "Richards.... Tacoma's Society Photographers" automobile with two beautiful young women posing for their "Society" photos; photograph possibly used for advertising.
Birchfield Boiler company were builders of the famous "Birchfield Boiler", they also specialized in building tanks, hot water heaters, pipes, stacks and various types of vessels. Birchfield Boiler, Inc. was located on 2503 East 11th Street in Tacoma's tideflats area; the plant was on the Port Industrial Waterway, now known as the Blair Waterway. View of Birchfield Boiler built "Situk", a 48 foot by 16 foot by 28 inch power scow built for Libby McNeill and Libby.
Barges--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);
Plane crash, Mt. Rainier Ordnance Depot, photo ordered by Sandegren of the Tacoma Times. Two Army Air Force flyers were killed when the F-82 twin-engine fighter plane they were flying crashed and burned in the storage area of the Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot at Fort Lewis on February 23, 1949. Air Force officers are seen examining the debris for clues to the cause of the crash. One engine had "conked out" before the plane hit the ground. Tracer bullets and 50-caliber machine gun ammunition exploded at intervals as fire fighters attempted to check the fiercely burning plane. (T.Times, 2/24/1949, p.1) TPL-10357
Airplanes--Lakewood--1940-1950; Aircraft accidents--Lakewood--1940-1950; Fort Lewis (Wash.);
Boat on the ways and sea trials, Bill Vinson. "Sunrise" is out on the water for her sea trials. Her captain stands on the upper deck to steer her onto Puget Sound. Her dinghy has been hauled up and is stored above the lower cabin. There is a large, covered area on the back for comfortable enjoyment of a day on the water.
Boat on the ways and sea trials, Bill Vinson. "Sunrise", a motor yacht with beautiful lines, is out on the water for her sea trials. The captain can be seen inside the cabin at the helm.
Launching at Western Boat. Ordered by Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. The John N. Cobb is afloat near the 11th Street Bridge just after launching from the Western Boat ways building. The vessel would be equiped for exploratory navigation as well as for experimental fishing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.. Snow is on the ground as seen on the opposite shore of City Waterway. The tall buildings of the business district of Tacoma are seen in the background. (Pacific Fisherman, March 1950, p.29) TPL-9652
Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cityscapes;
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.;
Dignitaries pose during the launching of the Hortensia-Bertin at Tacoma Boat Building. She would contain the most modern of navigational and communication equipment with radiophone and code instruments, Northern Radio sending set and National receiver. She would also be equiped with a 181 h.p. Chrysler-powered Western "Fairliner' bait-tender which was also equipped with a radiotelephone. The two gentlemen on the left are Haldor Dahl and Arne Strom, owners of Tacoma Boat. Mrs. Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, California, is third from the right holding long-stemmed roses. She was the wife of the boat's architect and sponsor of at the launching. Ordered by C.F.A. Mann. (TNT, 1/5/1950, p.21; Pacific Fisherman, April 1950, p.26; Pacific Fisherman October 1950, p.12) TPL-9025
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Dahl, Haldor; Strom, Arne;
Launching at Western Boat. Ordered by Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. The John N. Cobb stands in the ways ready to be formally launched. Flags are draped over the first and second decks. The boat was to becoma an exploratory vessel for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She was designed by W.C. Nickum & Sons, Seattle naval architects, and built by Western Boat. She was of very heavy wood construction, 93' in length, and powered with a 550 hp Fairbanks-Morse diesel engine. (Pacific Fisherman, March 1950, p.29)
Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ships--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Detailed picture of main engine of John N. Cobb, U.S. Fish and Wildlife exploratory vessel, at the Western Boat Building. She was designed by W.C. Nickum & Sons, Seattle naval architects, and built by Western Boat Co., Tacoma. She was of heavy wood construction, 93' in length, and powered with a 550-hp. Fairbanks-Morse diesel. She was equipped for exploratory navigation, as well as experimental fishing. Her primary duty was the testing and exploring of latent fisheries in Alaska waters, with special attention to Albacore Tuna.
Boat engines; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960
Frank J. Bigman was driving south on Jefferson Avenue at 5:40 pm on November 28, 1949 when he "blacked out" behind the wheel of his car. The car ripped through a pipe-fence railing at South 27th Street and plunged 32 feet to the Northern Pacific right-of-way below. Mr. Bigman was saved by the sturdy construction of his 1941 model car, receiving only bruises to his left leg and minor cuts to his mouth, cheeks and ears. (TNT, 11/29/1949, p.1)
Accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bigman, Frank J.; Embankments--Tacoma;
Kelly Furniture Company built their store building in 1924 with a warehouse added in 1940, they were located at 5428 South Tacoma Way and were owned by L. Q. Kelly and Robert D. Kelly. Kelly's advertised Hotpoint appliances, Simmons Beautyrest mattresses, Sealy mattresses, Zenith radios and many other items. View of Kelly Furniture Company employees standing in front of their new delivery truck. The two gentlemen in the dark suits are (from left to right) Robert D. Kelly and Laurence Q. Kelly, owners of the company. The gentleman in the white coverall to the right of Laurence Kelly is James Gunther, Laurence's brother-in -law. Additional information provided by patron.
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Kelly Furniture Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;
View of wrecked automobile with 1949 Washington State license plates; this vehicle was involved in a traffic accident, automobile has front end damage; accident site is unknown. Photo ordered by Metzger, Blair, Gardner & Boldt Law Firm.
Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Law & legal firms--Tacoma; Neighborhoods--Tacoma; Law offices--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; City & town life--Tacoma; Metzger, Blair, Gardner & Boldt Law Firm (Tacoma);
Sepic's first store was originally located on South 17th Street and Tacoma Avenue South, in 1945 the brothers purchased the K Street property and started building their new store location. Sepic Electric Company now has new modern quarters; they offer the highest quality known brand furniture. The company's new building has a durable concrete foundation and three times more space than the previous location. View of Sepic's delivery truck with delivery men unloading "Maytag" washing machines from a freight train.
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Appliance stores--Tacoma; Washing machines; Sepic Electric Co. (Tacoma);
Hunt and Mottet Company was a wholesale hardware and sporting good distributing company in Tacoma. The company's officers were: Ernest C. Richards, President, Albert H. Heath, Vice-President and Treasurer, J. Carroll Richards, Secretary; their offices were located in downtown Tacoma. View of the new Ford delivery truck, Number 88; an unidentified company representative is standing by truck. TPL-10344
Ford trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hardware; Fishing & hunting gear; Sporting goods; Sporting goods industry--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma);
University-Union Club members attended the October 2, 1949 University of Washington - Notre Dame game where the Irish drubbed the Huskies 27-7. View of members of the University-Union Club boarding charter buses that will take them up to Seattle for the football game (T.N.T., 10/4/49, p. 8).
Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);
Tacoma Boat Building Company was the exclusive designer and manufacturer of the "Northern Dragger" winches, "North" purse seine winches, "Northern" anchor winches and "Northern purse seine and dandelion blocks. The company built wood and steel trollers, purse seiners and tuna clippers, and had built many government vessels during World War II. View of the boat's helm, compass and engine controls. TPL-9021
Boats--Tacoma; Helms; Control rooms--Tacoma; Compasses; Navigation; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
View of members of the University-Union Club boarding charter buses that will take them up to Seattle for the University of Washington and Notre Dame football game held on October 2, 1949. The University-Union Club sponsored the big event, unfortunately Husky fans came home disappointed with the final score, Notre Dame 27, University of Washington 7 (T.N.T., 10/4/49, p. 8).
Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);
Joseph's was a beauty shop in Tacoma, it was located at 105 Tacoma Avenue North. Joseph's advertised the "Latest in Hair Fashions and New Techniques in Permanent Waving" Mr. Joseph (right) and Mr. Lloyd, two of Tacoma's leading hair stylists were traveling to Hollywood, California to attend the West Coast Style Show and to preview the latest fall fashions; they would be traveling on United airlines (T.N.T., 10/5/49, p. 9). TPL-9096
Airplanes--SeaTac; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Airplane propellers; Airports--SeaTac; Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac); United Airlines (SeaTac); Joseph's (Tacoma);
Interior view of boat, built by Tacoma Boat, showing the engine room. Included in the view are the diesel auxiliary engines, fresh water still, ammonia compressors with control panel and distribution headers, synchronizing switchboard, power panel and motor starters topped off with a 600 h.p. heavy duty diesel propulsion engine. Tacoma Boat announced their 16-year record in February 1948 as: 104 new commercial vessels of wood and steel; and, 1,073 commercial vessels rebuilt, modernized, converted or repaired. TPL-9023
Boat engines; Control rooms--Tacoma; Engine rooms--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Western Furnaces specialized in heating, insulation, fiberglass home insulation, air conditioning, furnace repairs and cleaning; they were distributors of General Electric oil heating equipment. View of Chevrolet delivery truck for Western Furnaces taken on August 19, 1949. According to a reader, this particular vehicle was a "pipe fitters" truck that had a large mechanical "pipe cutter/threader" on the back bumper. The cabinets on the sides contained the various fittings used by the mechanic during the installation of galvanized piping used in hydronic (boilers) heating systems. The employee at far right was not identified. (Additional information provided by a reader)
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chevrolet trucks; Signs (Notices); Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Furnaces--Tacoma; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Western Furnaces, Inc. (Tacoma);
Tacoma Boat Building had just completed the Yolande-Bertin, she was being launched and was out on a trial run through Commencement Bay. Tacoma Boat Building specialized in wooden and steel government, commercial, fishing and pleasure boats; the company was owned by Haldor Dahl and Arne Strom. View of Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa, a diesel tuna clipper out on Tacoma's Commencement Bay (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1950). TPL-9019
Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
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 Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa, a diesel tuna clipper (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1950). TPL-9016
Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Tacoma Boat Building recently completed diesel tuna clipper, the Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa was designed by Arthur De Fever of San Pedro, California. The Yolande-Bertin was considered a wonderful addition to the impressive Pacific Tuna Clipper Fleet. View of Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa, a diesel tuna clipper out on Tacoma's Commencement Bay (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1950). TPL-9018
Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Tacoma Boat Building had just completed the Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa for Captain O. E. Bertin and Cargueros Panamenos. The tuna clipper measured 104 feet and 8 inches by 26 feet and 6 inches by 14 feet. View of Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa, a diesel tuna clipper out on Tacoma's Commencement Bay (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1950). TPL-9017
Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
57-foot purse seiner, interior and water shots, Birchfield Boiler, Bob Dorrer. The galley of the "Esther B." is seen on the left and the helm is straight ahead. The cabinets and the walls are gleaming white. A plaque to the right of the hall towards the helm shows the name of the "Esther B." and that she was built by Birchfield Boiler. This photograph was taken on June 14, 1949.
