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.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Galleys (Ship kitchens);

57 foot purse seiner, interior and water shots, Birchfield Boiler, Bob Dorrer. The Esther B. is dwarfed by one of the baby flat-top aircraft carriers mothballed in the Tacoma harbor during her sea trials.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

57-foot purse seiner, interior and water shots, Birchfield Boiler, Bob Dorrer. The "Esther B." is out for her sea trials on June 14, 1949. The captain is at the helm on the upper deck.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On July 29, 1950, the Tacoma Naval Station was the scene of the recommissioning of the escort carrier U.S.S. Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86), twenty days after the orders came through to "take her out of mothballs". Captain H.B. Butterfield, representing the Commander Pacific Reserve Fleet, read the directive placing the ship in commission. Captain C.W. Lord accepted command of the ship from Captain Butterfield. The Sitkoh Bay, named for a small bay in southeastern Alaska, was originally commissioned in Astoria, Oregon, on March 28, 1944. The escort carrier participated in many engagements during World War II, including Palau, the Philippines, Okinawa, and Japan. The Sitkoh Bay transported a total of 2032 aircraft, 10,716 passengers and traveled 182,618 miles before being decommissioned at the end of the war. (TNT 7-30-50, p.1)

U.S.S. Sitkoh Bay; Aircraft carriers;

Launching of the "Bev Marie". The 113 foot tuna clipper was built for Captain Paul Lynn. She could carry a crew of 14 and a small seaplane, the first ship to be built in Tacoma with plans for a plane. She had a refrigerated capacity to carry 230 tons of fish. (TNT, 4/22/1950, p.7) TPL-9029

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The nighttime launching of "Memories" built by Peterson Boat Building Company. "Memories" is in the water, accompanied by another fishing vessel "Nancy Rose," on April 21, 1950. "Memories," a 57-foot purse seiner, could handle a crew of nine. She was to set sail May 25, 1950, on her first fishing voyage. (TNT, 4/25/1950)

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

The launching of "Memories" at Peterson Boat Building Company. The 57-foot purse seiner slips from the ways into the water. She was built for Captain Marco Malich to fish in Puget Sound, the Alaskan waters and in the south. (TNT, 4/25/1950, p.15)

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

The three Liberty boats constructed by Birchfield Boiler for Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle are underway in Commencement Bay. The seiners are dwarfed by baby flat tops constructed in Tacoma and "mothballed" in the harbor after World War II. Ordered by Birchfield Boiler.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A view of the galley aboard "Libby No. 10" built by Birchfield Boiler. This narrow galley provides the required equipment for the two officers and four crewmen while at sea. A sink and metal counter are shown on the left with a cook stove and refrigerated storage area on the right. A table with benches lining the walls of the boat is seen at the back. Ordered by Bob Dorrim.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Galleys (Ship kitchens)

The three Liberty boats, Libby No. 9, No. 10, and No.11, are underway in Commencement Bay heading for Alaska fishing grounds. The seiners were powered by Chrysler Royal marine engines with 3.16 to 1 reduction gears from the National Supply Engine Corporation, Seattle, complete with accessories and keel coolers. Ordered by Birchfield Boiler. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Libby No. 10 is tied up to the dock at Birchfield Boiler next to another of the "Libby"s. The fishing boats were typical Alaska seiners with dimensions of 48 feet by 14 feet 6 inches, with a 5-foot draft. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, July 28, 1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Three steel-hulled "Libby" seiners built by Birchfield Boiler Inc., 2503 East 11th Street, were photographed in May of 1950 as they sailed out of Tacoma for the fishing waters of Alaska. During 1950 and 1951 Birchfield built five boats for Libby, McNeil and Libby of Seattle. Behind the "Libby" fishing boats are three of the baby flat tops that were built in Tacoma and "mothballed" here after WWII. One of the outstanding features of the Birchfield-built boats was that the walls of the cargo holds were completely smooth, reducing bruising on the fish caught and held in the hold. The vessels contained four water-tight compartments and the holds were completely insulated with 3-inch of cork all around. The capacity of the vessels was approximately 23 tons. (Ordered by Birchfield Boiler.) (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Libby No. 9, 10 and 11 are tied up, side-by-side, at Birchfield Boiler. Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle liked these seiners because they had better capacity and lower maintenance costs than other fishing boats. One of the outstanding features of a Birchfield-built boat was the fact that the inside of the cargo hold was completely smooth. The cork insulation was covered over and there was no place for the fish to bruise or for fish oils to accumulate. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A view of the starboard side of "Libby No. 10" at Birchfield Boiler. Birchfield Boiler built five seiners, a small steel power scow and a steel gillnetter for Libby over a period of several years. This seiner has a powerful seine winch at the back. The vessels would sleep six men - two officers and 4 crewmen. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, 7/28/195l)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A view of the helm on "Libby No. 10" at Birchfield Boiler. The chain linking the helm with the rudder is clearly visible. Birchfield Boiler, Inc., delivered three new Libby boats to Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle. As of July 1951 the company built five of the steel seiners for Libby. The fishing boats were well equipped with Onan generators from the Fremont Electric Company, Seattle. They also had automatic controls and switchboards from Fremont. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960; Helms;

The Tacoma Yacht Club, 5401 No. Waterfront Drive, was featured as part of the "Kla-How-Ya" trail dedicated in the Spring of 1950. The trail, who's name came from the Chinook Indian word for "welcome, " was a 26 mile sightseeing tour around the Tacoma area, marked with green salmon directional signs. The Yacht Club was founded in 1889 and moved to its present location near the Point Defiance ferry dock in 1914.

Boathouses; Boats; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Mooring;

The Tacoma Yacht Club, located at Point Defiance, was included in the tourist sightseeing tour the "Kla-How-Ya" trail. Founded in 1889, the Club relocated to Point Defiance in 1914, near what is now the ferry dock. In an effort to find a mooring spot less vulnerable to winter storms, the Club relocated southeast under the high bank near the Tacoma Smelter. The former office building of Seaborn Shipyard was moved to the site by scow to serve as the clubhouse. In 1934, a road was built along the bulkhead under the ferry landing. The Yacht Club originated the Daffodil Marine Parade and the decorated-boat Christmas parade.

Boathouses; Boats;

On the evening of March 19, 1951, a major fire broke out at the Baker Dock, 300 Schuster Parkway, on Tacoma's waterfront when a lift truck that was receiving maintenance backfired. Gil Keske, the dock employee who was working on the lift truck when it backfired, tried to put out the fire with a hand fire extinguisher. When the extinguisher failed to put out the fire, he grabbed a few handtools and escaped before the whole repair shop caught fire. The fire was fought by 9 fire department companies, the city fireboat and 4 Foss Launch & Tug Co. firefighting tugs. The damage to the center section of the warehouse, dock and contents was estimated at $250,000. A fire wall and the absence of a wind aided firemen in keeping the blaze from spreading to the remainder of the facility and the adjoining Shaffer Terminal. (TNT 3/20/1951, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baker Dock (Tacoma); Fireboats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The "Golden Glow" fishing vessel built by Peterson Boat Building Company. Boat moving through water with crew aboard in February of 1951.

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

The "Golden Glow" fishing vessel built by Peterson Boat Building Company. Close view of boat moving through water with crew aboard. Photograph was taken on February 12, 1951.

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

The "Golden Glow" fishing vessel built by Peterson Boat Building Company. Boat moving through water, creating wave, with crew aboard. She was photographed on February 12, 1951.

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

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Woman holding bouquet of roses and champagne bottle. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

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

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Vessel leaving, framed by the shadows of building. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

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

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Woman smashing champagne bottle on hull of ship. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

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

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Three men and woman with bouquet and ceremonial champagne bottle. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

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

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Ship inside wooden building. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

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

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

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

A boat, with only the deck visible, is docked and seemingly deserted on a foggy day in late 1951. A few tools lay abandoned and the scales and winches are empty. There is a possibility that this vessel is a former surplus Navy steam tug purchased from Foss Launch & Tug Co. by Western Boat Building to be converted into a refrigerated salmon tender and tuna fishing boat. Western Boat Building had purchased two former Navy vessels in the summer of 1951 with plans to spend approximately $500,000 to convert them for fishing purposes. (TNT 7-22-51, B-2)

Boats; Decks (Ships); Hammers; Equipment; Scales;

The Donna Foss, a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, steadily tows the much larger ex-military transport, the "Republic" vessel on a cloudy spring day in 1952. The Agnes Foss is at the "Republic's'' stern. The Wedell Foss, not seen, is also aiding in the tow. All boats will be eventually passing under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Donna and Agnes Foss tugboats will be towing the "Republic" to the Panama Canal where it will then be towed to the East Coast for scrapping. Foss Launch & Tug had its beginnings as a rowboat rental business started by Thea and Andrew Foss in the late 1890's. They later expanded to include motorized launches and tugboats and in 1920, changed the company name to Foss Launch & Tug Co. Even after the deaths of its founders, the company continued to expand its business to include Alaska and California. In 1986, a further name change occurred and Foss Launch became Foss Maritime Co. to better reflect the diversified nature of its maritime services. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 422, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;