Boaters on a small cabin cruiser lean to get a good view of the tug Hercules of Seattle as it assists a much larger oil rig ca. September, 1962. The vessels are already dockside. TPL-5808

Tugboats; Harbors; Boats;

The minesweeper MSC-298 was successfully launched at Tacoma Boat Building on the evening of September 14, 1962. The 145-foot minesweeper was the 26th of its kind built for the Navy by Tacoma Boat since 1951. The ship weighed 372 tons when fully outfitted and had a 27-foot beam. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co. (TNT 9-15-62, p. 3)

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

ca. 1963. Tacoma at night. View of two ships docked at the City Waterway in 1963 with lights from downtown buildings making blurred reflections on the calm water. This was probably part of the 1963 Richards Studio stock file. TPL-2270

Ships--Tacoma; City Waterway (Tacoma); Reflections;

Broadside view of Navy minesweeper MSC 299 at Tacoma Boat Building on January 26, 1963. Vessel was launched at 4:30 that afternoon; champagne honors by Mrs. James B. Burrow. The 140' non-magnetic minesweeper was the second of a series of four being built for the Navy by Tacoma Boat Building. (TNT 1-27-63, A-2)

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

Two men stroll toward a parked Ford truck with two Fairliner cruisers on board. The Dudley Co., Auburn, Washington, truck appears ready to leave the Fairliner plant in late April, 1963. It cautions motorists that it is bearing a wide load. Fairliner was a division of Western Boat Building Co. Its pleasure boats were especially adaptable to this area's choppy waters. Fairliner, as the advertising signs noted, also was expanding into the home and commercial buildings market with the use of pre-engineered products. Photograph ordered by Novaco Co.

Boats--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

A Fairliner employee examines plans while surrounded by a flotilla of boats in late April of 1963. The pleasure craft rest, not on the floor, but on wheeled carts for easier maneuvering. Fairliner was a division of Western Boat Building Co.

Boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

The 53' purse seiner, Haida Maid, was launched at Western Boat Building on June 20, 1963. It was owned by Hydaburg Co-op of Alaska. Hydaburg was a Haida Indian tribal association which operated under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. View of the Haida Maid as it prepares to slide, stern first, down the ways. (TNT 6-21-63, p. 19)

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

The crew of the newly launched Haida Maid survey calm waters on June 20, 1963. The Haida Maid was a 53' purse seiner built by Western Boat Building for the Hydaburg Co-op, a Haida Indian tribal association which operated under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Mary Petrich, daughter of Western Boat Building vice-president James Petrich, christened the boat earlier that day. (TNT 6-21-63, p. 19)

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

Before a crowd of about 200, Tacoma Boat Building launched the YMS 244 on December 18, 1942. Later in the day, the company was presented with an "E Award" flag for excellence in the wartime production of minesweepers. More than 4,000 "E Pennants" were present to plants during WWII. They were a visible recognition of the patriotism and devotion of the company and its employees. (T. Times 12/19/1942, pg. 1)

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

December 18, 1942 was a very special day for Tacoma Boat Building. The company launched its newest minesweeper YMS 244 and received an Army/Navy "E" award flag. The "E" award was given for excellence in war production. The famous flag with the big "E" emblazoned on it became a badge of patriotism in action. The award consisted of a flag to be flown over the plant and a lapel pin for every employee within the plant. During the ceremony, an unidentified military officer makes a speech before a crowd of around 200. Music for the ceremony was supplied by the Coast Artillery Band.

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

Following the launching of the YMS 244 on December 18, 1942, Capt. A. C. Thomas presented "E" pins to the employees of Tacoma Boat Building. The pins were in recognition of their excellence in the production of mine sweepers. Various foreman from the Company's yard posed with Captain Thomas for this photograph. Pictured are, back row left to right, Lawrence Teasley, Clarence Hopkins, Bill Kvam, Clarence White, George Rau, John Kvamme and Walter Oliver. Front row, John Flintoff, F.L. Criswell, Capt. Thomas and Hugh McCreadie. (T. Times 12/23/1942, pg. 16)

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

On December 18, 1942, Tacoma Boat Building received an "E Award" for excellence in wartime minesweeper production. One of several military men makes a speech at the ceremony. The sign board over speaker's box reads, "And if our lives should form and break; Because of things you fail to make; The extra tank or ship or plane; For which we waited all in vain; And the supplies that never came; Will you then come and take the blame; For we, not you, will pay the cost; Of battles you, not we, have lost!"

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

December 18, 1942 was a Red Letter Day for Tacoma Boatbuilding. The company, owned by Arne Strom and Haldor Dahl, received an "E" Award flag and launched a minesweeper, the YMS 244. The "E" Award was from the Army & Navy for excellence in the wartime production of mine sweepers. The shipyard was located at 2142 E. "D." Arne Strom was able to be present but Mr. Dahl was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester , Minn. and was unable to get there on time for the ceremony. (T. Times 12/19/1942, pg. 1)

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

This photograph is an overview of the ceremony on December 18, 1942 when the Tacoma Boat Building plant was presented with an "E Award" by the Army & Navy. The "E Award" was a production award, and the shipyard's was the first given for production of minesweepers. The award consisted of a "E" flag to fly over the plant and a pin for each employee. The company also took this opportunity to launch their newest minesweeper, the YMS 244.

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

Minnie (Mrs. John) Flintoff smiled at the camera above her enormous bouquet of roses after sponsoring the launch of the minesweeper YMS 244 on December 18, 1942. Her husband John was the outfitting foreman at Tacoma Boat Building Co. She posed next to her daughter Dorothy. The Flintoff family resided at 1112 So. Oakes and included John Jr. and Bentley, who was serving with the US Air Corps. (T. Times 12/23/1942, pg. 16)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Flintoff, Minnie; Flintoff, Dorothy; Flintoff, John--Family;

The Brynn Foss tugboat provides welcome assistance to the newly launched minesweeper MSI-14 on October 26, 1963. The ship was built by Tacoma Boat Building Co. and apparently launched at the Pacific Boat Yard. She was the second of a series of wooden-hulled, non-magnetic Navy minesweepers ordered from Tacoma Boat Building. The 110-foot craft carried a crew of 18. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co. (TNT 10-25-63, p. 28., TNT 10-27-63, A-8) TPL-9250

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

Launching of military vessel MSI-14 on Saturday, October 26, 1963. Ship was built by Tacoma Boat Building and waits to be launched at Pacific Boat Yard, 759 Port of Tacoma Road. She was the second of series of wooden-hulled, non-magnetic minesweepers ordered by the Navy. Tacoma Boat Building would also build four other larger minesweepers. The ship's sponsor was Mrs. Mark C. Jewett of Washington D.C. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building. (TNT 10-25-63, p. 28, TNT 10-27-63, A-8)

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

Tacoma Boat Building launched the last of a series of four minesweepers, the MS 301, on April 11, 1964. The tugboat pictured above was probably a Foss tug; Foss tugboats were customarily used in the launching of minesweepers built for the Navy by local shipbuilders. The tugs were used to help escort the much larger ships. Here the tug bucked gusty winds to push the new non-magnetic, wood-and-aluminum minesweeper to her outfitting dock on Sitcom Waterway. The 175' long vessel had twin 500 hp diesel engines and cost over $2,000,000. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (TNT 4-13-64, p. 30)

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

Phil Seymour, a North End auto mechanic, built this cabin cruiser, "Sea-More", with friends in their idle moments over a period of nine months. Seymour finishes the project as he paints number 4212CGA on the side of the boat. Officially launched on April 24, 1943, she was used by the Coast Guard as an auxiliary during World War II. (T.Times 4/26/43 p.1.)

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Seymour, Phil;

Phil Seymour, a North-end auto mechanic, built this cabin cruiser, "Sea-More", with friends in idle moments over a period of nine months outside his auto shop. Seymour hands a pair of slacks to a woman kneeling on top of the boat. His auto repair shop, Seymour's Big Six Garage, is shown in the background. (T.Times 4/26/43 p.1.)

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950; Seymour, Phil; Seymour's Big Six Garage (Tacoma);

City Firemen and their Fireboat #1, pictured, cooperated with the Coast Guard in an exercise on May 7, 1943 demonstrating their ability to cope with waterfront fires. The fireboat and the Coast Guard's five fire barges drilled off Old Town Dock, pumping a combined 23,700 gallons of water a minute. The drill also called attention to the last few days of the Tacoma Waterfront Defense Committee's clean up drive. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p. 14)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

These two members of the Coast Guard took part in the May 7, 1943 fire fighting drill off the Old Town Dock. The pair are aboard one of the smaller CG fire barges. These smaller barges were designed to fight fires under the docks. They could pump 600 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

The three larger Coast Guard fire barges assigned to Tacoma are photographed in formation on May 7, 1943. They were taking part in a drill along the Tacoma waterfront. The Coast Guard had a total of five barges assigned to Tacoma. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1, as well as five Coast Guard fire fighting barges, took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The group was showing their ability to effectively stamp out waterfront fires. They were also calling attention to the clean up drive along the front sponsored by the Waterfront Defense Committee. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Three of the Coast Guard's fire barges are photographed during the May 7, 1943 drill off Old Town Dock. The vessels can pump 4,000 gallons of water a minute each and move very quickly across the water. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

A spray of water calls attention to a May 7, 1943 fire fighting drill off the Old Town Dock. Participating are Tacoma's Fireboat #1 and five Coast Guard fire barges assigned to Tacoma. Together the vessels can pump over 23,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Tacoma's Fireboat #1, with several streams of water shooting into the air, demonstrates its ability to defend the waterfront from fire during a May 7, 1943 drill. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1 took part in a drill with the Coast Guard, demonstrating the city's ability to fight a waterfront fire. The city's fire boat and five Coast Guard fire fighting barges went through their paces, shooting 50 streams of water high into the air. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Coast Guard off Old Town Dock in Commencement Bay with fire barges. The fire barges are displaying streams of water used to extinguish marine fires. Brown's Point is visible in the background. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p.14.)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

In May of 1943, Tacoma Fireboat #1 was used to patrol Tacoma's 36 miles of marine shoreline. Tacoma's first fireboat, it was launched in 1929 and served for 53 years, putting out waterfront fires and responding to emergencies such as sinking vessels and water rescues. During the war years, the city fire department and the Coast Guard patrolled waterfront businesses looking for fire hazards and awarding Waterfront Defense "Good Housekeeping" pennants. Fireboat #1 was retired from service in 1982 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989. She is displayed in a permanent dry berth at Marine Park off Ruston Way. The long, low and narrow riveted steel hulled vessel is 96.6 feet in length and could reach speeds of up to 15 knots. She is one of 10 vessels constructed as fireboats greater than 50 years of age left in the US. Of the five 1920's fireboats, she is the least modified and has not undergone extensive modernization. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p.14; National Park Service website under Maritime Heritage Program) TPL-8671

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950;