Puget Sound Boat Building had a government contract to build barges for the Army. Building progress photos of U. S. Army B.S.P. 3136, a self propelled, 88 foot long, twin diesel engine, 26.8 foot beam barge. View of vessel and row boat on left side.

Barges--Tacoma; Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Henry Mill & Timber Company was working on many commercial and government contracts. As a leader in the prefabricated lumber products, they were able to fill orders very rapidly, therefore helping to aid the war effort. View of Peter B. Solberg working on a barge model for Henry Mill & Timber Co. Mr. Solberg worked at the company during WW II. After the war, he founded and operated the Timber Fabrication Company until his death in February 1964. TPL-6662 (Photo identification provided by a family member)

Barges--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Solberg, Peter B.;

Allen Petrich, Sr., is aboard a modified tuna tender in this photograph from 1944. His father, Martin Petrich, Sr., and others started Western Boat Building Co. in 1916. The Petrichs' five sons, Hervey, Allen, Martin Jr., Jim and Jack, helped Western Boat Building become a well known and respected business in Tacoma. They built government vessels, commercial fishing vessels and pleasure boats. The modified tuna tender above, dubbed the "Patty," had an open cockpit and resembled a racing boat. She was used to travel to and from docks when large tuna clippers could not and was carried aboard the larger ships. (Identification and additional information provided by a reader)

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Petrich, Allen;

Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. built Sea Boy, an 85 foot sardine boat, for Bill and Ted Healy. Sea Boy is the fourth seine boat built at the yard. View of two unidentified men aboard Sea Boy. TPL-8878

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat Building was gaining recognition for building first rate fishing vessels. They had just completed a series of Army tugs and barges and were getting an increase of contracts for commercial fishing boats. View of "Vagabond", a tuna clipper built by Puget Sound Boat. TPL-8888

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

American Girl launching. The American Girl tuna vessel, built by Western Boat Building Co., is completely refrigerated and can handle 180 tons of tuna. It will join the tuna fleet that travels between San Diego, California and the coast of South America. View of American Girl tuna boat on Puget Sound (T. Times, 7/24/44, p. 2). TPL-8868

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. began building vessels in May 1942. The company was started by two of the Martinolich brothers, well known for their boat building on the West Coast. They immediately received government contracts to build ships for the Army. View of recently finished vessel being transported to Puget Sound plant. TPL-8802

Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat Building, the launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #113 for the Navy, sponsored by Evelyn Langlie, wife of Governor Arthur B. Langlie. Mrs. Langlie holds the ceremonial champagne bottle and and an unidentified young girl holds flowers. The AMS 113 was the first minesweeper to be launched in Tacoma since WWII and on completion would cost upward of $1,000,000. Tacoma Boat Building had received the contract to build the minesweepers prior to the devastating fire of 1951 that destroyed their plant. By December of 1951, their new plant was almost complete and construction begun on 3 of the 144 ft class and 5 of the 57 ft. class. (T. Reporter 7/22/1952, pg. 2)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Langlie, Evelyn;

Tacoma Boat Building, the launching of the A.M.S. #113 (motor mine sweeper.) Group of 21 at banquet table on July 19, 1952, including Naval officers. Mayor John Anderson is at the left of the seated row, Governor Arthur B. Langlie fifth from left, owner Arne Strom in the center of the same row with Evelyn Langlie to his right and co-owner Haldor Dahl is third from left in the standing row. The worst fire of 1951 totally destroyed the Tacoma Boat Building plant with the co-owners Strom and Dahl holding contracts for the building of Navy minesweepers. A new plant was quickly built on the strip of land separating the Milwaukee and Sitcum Waterways and production of the sweepers began. (T. Reporter 7/22/1952, pg. 2)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Strom, Arne; Dahl, Haldor; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Langlie, Evelyn; Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of the USS Endurance (AMS 435) at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, the largest wooden-hulled vessel to be built in Tacoma since WWI. Martinac had a contract to build four 171 foot minesweepers and was also the first firm on the Pacific coast to be designated by the Navy as a "qualified laminator." When completed in early spring, the ship would represent an expenditure of approximately $3,500,000. The total Navy contract was worth 8 million dollars, a large portion of the 20 million in Navy contracts held by Tacoma boat building firms. (TNT 2-10-1952, pg. B-6, T. Reporter 7/8/1952, pg. 8, T. Reporter 8/11/1952, pg. 2)

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

Launching of the USS Endurance (AMS 435) at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, sponsored by Gerry Ann Borovich. Gerry Ann, the 16 year old daughter of Fred Borovich vice president-treasurer of Martinac, holds the ceremonial flower bouquet. The vessel was the first of her size to be launched in a Northwest yard under the Navy's minesweeper program. The firm was constructing four 171 foot minesweepers. (T. Reporter, 8/11/1952, pg. 2)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Borovich, Gerry Ann;

Miss California, recently completed by Peterson Boat Building Company, is out for her ship trials. Designed by Arthur DeFever, she had a sweeping bridge around the pilot house with a full measure of visibility. Controls were provided on the bridge as well as in the pilothouse. (Pacific Fisherman, Sept. 1951, p.53) TPL-9045

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--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;

Skansie's Shipbuilding Company had just completed and was launching their first fishing boat in April of 1949. John Cosulich and his wife were the fishing boat's sponsors; John Cosulich has been Skansie shipyards foreman for 37 years. View of fishing boat sponsor, Mrs. John Cosulich (right) and unidentified man, at the Skansie shipyards for the boat launching (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). A patron stated that the woman in the photograph is not Mrs. John Cosulich (her name was Marina). It is the daughter-in-law of John and Marina Cosulich. Her name is Dolores Cosulich, née Seghieri. The unidentified man is Tony Cosulich, her husband.

Fishing boats--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor; Launchings--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Skansie's Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Cosulich, John--Family;

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

Fishing boats--Gig harbor--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor; Launchings--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Skansie's Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Cosulich, John--Family;

J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation just finished building another Tacoma built fishing boat. The beautiful tuna clipper "Mary S." was built for Captain Manuel Sousa and Associates of San Diego, California. "Mary S." is 109 feet long and has a 600 horsepower engine, the vessel cost $300,000. View of "Mary S."; Martinac boat building plant in background (T.N.T., 4/15/49, p. 29). TPL-8993

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The "Mary S" slid down the ways at Martinac Shipbuilding on April 14, 1949. The , launching of the 109-foot tuna clipper drew the attendance of L. L. Livesly, partner and managing owner of Manuel Sousa and Associates of San Diego, California. Mrs. Joe Martinac Jr. and Mrs. L. L. Livesly were the launching sponsors for the "Mary S." (T.N.T., 4/15/49, p. 29). TPL-8994

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Birchfield Boiler Incorporated, 2503 East 11th St., completed a 47 foot, all steel tuna hull for Alfred O. and Robert E. Erickson, local Tacoma fishermen, in July of 1948. Birchfield was in the process of expanding their shipbuilding and ship conversion department. After the hull was christened, the Erickson family celebrated on the desk of their new fishing boat. Birchfield Boiler's maintenance and electric shop can be seen in background.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishermen--Tacoma; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Erickson--Family;

Pacific Boat was owned by John B. and Robert J. Breskovich and Joseph S. Rosin. Pacific Boat was one of the leading boat builders in Tacoma during this time period, they had been actively involved in the war time production and post-war building era. Pacific boat could custom built any type of boat, whether they were fishing and government vessels or pleasure crafts. They had recently started mass production of pleasure motor boats. View of vessel sliding down a water ramp, it was likely following an official launching ceremony which included the christening. TPL-8938

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

The 165 foot "Scarlet Queen" would have a fishing crew of eighteen men, Tony Dutra was the ship's skipper. Interior view of the crew's quarters, six mahogany trimmed bunks with inner spring mattresses, individual lockers and reading lamps and benches. The room is bright, airy and easy to keep clean (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8968

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Crew quarters; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beds; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The 165 foot "Scarlet Queen" would have a fishing crew of eighteen men, Tony Dutra was the ship's skipper. Interior view of the skipper's quarters, this room has beautiful hardwood built in features, including, drawers and storage compartments. The skipper's quarters has a deluxe bunk, reading lamp, window and pull out desk(Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8967

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Crew quarters; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beds; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

View of "Scarlet Queen's" galley, modern oil-fired galley range, stainless steel trim, dual temp, refrigerator, tiles drain board, wood finished cupboards, large table with bench seating and magnesite floors. The kitchen also features a double sink with cold, hot and salt water, water cooler, radio and inter-com (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8966

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Galleys (Ship kitchens); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Douglas Fir Plywood Association, four men building a plywood boat. The men are working on the bottom of a boat held up by inner supports. Tools and building materials line the wall of the workshop. Another boat sitting upright is in the foreground.

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association, one man working on a plywood boat. The boat is upright and shows the interior bracing for the hull. Exterior grade plywood required water-proof glues and a heat/pressure treatment. For boat building, plywood would require additional waterproofing.

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Marine Research. A motor boat afloat at a dock. The craft has in inboard motor, a small windshield and three rows of seats. The boat is made of plywood. Plywood boats were found to be light and durable. Marine Research also well known as the manufacturer of 16 foot laminated inboard boats of one-piece keel, stem and shaft logs as well as a line of specially developed utiliyt trailers. Headed by M.G. Gunther, Marine Research also produced 18 foot commercial skiffs for tuna clippers. (T.Times, 12/25/1946, p.12)

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Marine Research Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Marine Research. Two men take a small motor boat for a trial run. The craft has in inboard motor, a small windshield and three rows of seats. The boat is made of plywood.

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Marine Research Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pacific Boat completed the "Sun Voyager" for Sun Harbor Packing Co. in San Diego, California. A trial run was completed last week and now the boat was ready to be launched. Interior view of "Sun Voyager's" shaft alley, this is the distribution center for bait water, brine circulation and refrigeration control. TPL-8913

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat's launching of "Southern Queen", a 100 foot, steel, tuna and sardine purse seiner, built for A. T. Anderson of Seattle and Joe Villicich of San Pedro, California. Side view of "Southern Queen", Tacoma Kenworth Motor Truck Corp., LLoyd Suiter Tire Co., O'Cinelli Co. and Columbia Breweries in background (T. Times, 2/12/47, p. 5). TPL-8919

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

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

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;