Medusa on the ways. The USS Medusa, a $4,000,000 repair ship for the Pacific fleet, is pictured prior to launching at the Bremerton Navy Yard in April of 1923. The "Medusa," the first ship of her kind to be built on the Pacific coast, had a displacement of 10,000 tons. Her launching was rather unusual, as she did not not slide down the ways into water as normal but instead, water was poured into the construction dock where she was built. When floated, she was towed to her new berth and the dock emptied. She was 483-feet, 9 inches long and resembled a huge ocean liner except for the small guns mounted on her. The USS Medusa was launched on April 16, 1923, with Mrs. Burns Poe of Tacoma acting as sponsor. G37.1-121 (TNT 4-4-23, p. 17; TDL 4-7-23, p. 1-article; TDL 4-17-23, p. 1-article)

Boat & ship industry--Bremerton--1920-1930; Launchings--Bremerton--1920-1930;

Henry Mill & Timber Company crane at 3001 N Starr ST, Tacoma

Industries; Henry Mill & Timber Company; Cranes; Ruston Way;

Stacking lumber with the help of a stacker made by Star Iron & Steel.

Industries; Lumber; Star Iron & Steel; Machinery;

Steel plate girder manufactured by Star Iron & Steel for the Masonic Temple at 47 Saint Helens Ave, Tacoma.

Industries; Star Iron & Steel; Construction; Masonic Temple;

Pierce County Airport, Lakewiew (now Lakewood) Wa. Steel hangar designed and developed by Star Iron & Steel.

Industries; Star Iron & Steel; Airports; Construction;

Aerial view of the Gange Lumber Company mill at 3939 Ruston Way, WA.

Industries; Gange Lumber Company; Aerial photographs; Lumber; Ruston Way

Gange Lumbar Company's crane at 3939 Ruston Way, Tacoma.

Industries; Gange Lumber Company; Lumber; Cranes; Ruston Way;

Chip conveyor at St. Regis Kraft Co. Tacoma plant at 801 Portland Ave, Tacoma.

Industries; St. Regis Kraft Co.; Paper industry; Tideflats; Lumber;

Machinery at Star Iron & Steel foundry at 435 E 11th St, Tacoma

Industries; Star Iron & Steel; Machinery; Tideflats;

Tacoma Harbor Lumber Company's crane at 2363 E 11th St, Tacoma

Industries; Tacoma Harbor Lumber Company; Cranes; Tideflats

Defiance Lumber Company's crane at 4601 Ruston Way, Tacoma

Industries; Defiance Lumber Company; Cranes; Ruston Way

Boat launching. The "Anna Maria, " built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, photographed in pre-launch status on September 20, 1969. At 191-feet, the steel-hulled "Anna Maria" was the largest vessel of its type built at that time. She would have a frozen fish capacity of 1100-ton. Captain Roland Virissimo of San Diego would be her skipper. After the 1:30 p.m. launching from the Tacoma Boat plant 2 in the Port Industrial Yard, a reception would be held at Tacoma Boat's new plant at 1840 Marine View Dr. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 3-19-69, D-5; TNT 3-21-69, A-10) TPL-9408 B&W

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

Boat launching. The "Anna Maria" was successfully launched in the early afternoon of September 20, 1969. She is being maneuvered into Commencement Bay by three tugs. The contrast in size is readily apparent; the "Anna Maria," at 191 feet, was the largest tuna boat yet built and had a 1100-ton frozen fish capacity. Capt. Roland Virissimo would operate the vessel built by Tacoma Boat from the San Diego area. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 3-19-69, D-5; TNT 3-21-69, A-10) TPL-9407

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

Exterior view of Pennwalt Corp. Formerly known as Pennsalt, the chemical producing company was located on 40 acres of land adjacent to the Hylebos Waterway. This view on December 26, 1969, shows one of the large piles of salt used by Pennwalt in daily operations. Doing business in Tacoma since 1929, Pennwalt had originally specialized in caustic soda and liquid chlorine for sale to the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper industry before diversifying. Photograph ordered by Pennwalt Corp.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennwalt Corp. (Tacoma);

Molten liquid is being poured into molds at Fick Foundry, 1005 East D Street, in October of 1969. In business since 1924, Fick Foundry were producers of "quality static and centrifugal castings in most ferrous metals, and close tolerance aluminum centrifugal castings." The company had suffered through three major fires and was rebuilt each time. It would finally close in the late 1980's. Photograph ordered by Winston Fournier & Associates, Dallas.

Fick Foundry Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Founding--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Boat launching. An interested crowd watches as the 165-foot tuna seiner, the "John F. Kennedy," slides down the ways into City (now Thea Foss) Waterway on December 20, 1969. Built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., the ship had a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and would be delivered to Star-Kis Foods on Terminal Island, California. She was a sister ship to the "Mary Antoinette" which had already been delivered to her owners. December 20th also saw the launching of the USS Benicia gunboat by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4) TPL-9451

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Post-launching. The "Polaris" was successfully launched into Commencement Bay on March 7, 1970, by Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, wife of the ship's co-owner. The Gann family watched as the 165-foot "Polaris" slid down the ways from Martinac Shipbuilding facilities. The "Polaris" had a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and was owned by Joseph and Edmund Gann of San Diego. This would be one of three fishing boats built by Martinac Shipbuilding for the Gann brothers and was expected to be delivered in May. The "Polaris" was destined for fishing operations in South America and Africa. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23- article) TPL-9453

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Potlatch Forests plant operations. One Potlatch Forests employee handles the controls while another checks the progress of the rolls of kraft pulp in mid-October, 1969. This plant in Lewiston, Idaho, produced high quality softwood bleached kraft market pulp and bleached paperboard. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York.

Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Industrial facilities--Idaho; Paper industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970;

Scenes from Lewiston, Idaho, Potlatch operations. A young worker stands before mounted rolls of kraft pulp at the big Lewiston plant in mid-October of 1969. The rolls extend far into the distance. He appears to be putting in a metal rod through the hole of the roll. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York.

Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Paper industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Idaho;

Pulp & paper operations - Potlatch Forests, Inc. Potlatch Forests used a full range of species found in the northern Idaho timberlands to produce a variety of lumber products. Its Lewiston, Idaho, sawmill manufactured products used in construction framing to board sidings and paneling. Inland red cedar, pine, and fir mixtures were commonly utilized. An employee of Potlatch Forests is shown above on March 20, 1969, examining a piece of lumber. All of Potlatch Forests' products conformed to specific grading rules. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York. (www.potlatchcorp.com)

Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Paper industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Idaho;

Modular home. St. Regis Paper Co. would make their "MODS" modular homes available for touring at the 24th annual Tacoma Home Show held March 31- April 5, 1970. The three sections of the home would be transported to the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse's parking lot where they would be assembled. The modular home could apparently be assembled in one day, including carpeting. The "MODS" were geared toward people looking for affordable, low-cost housing. St. Regis was a leader in the fast-growing field of modular home construction. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 3-22-70, D-10--article; TNT 4-1-70, D-16 - article)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Prefabricated houses; Signs (Notices);

Modular home on the move. "Here come the MODS" warned the sign plastered to a section of modular homes that was being transported to the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse in mid-March, 1970. The "MODS" would be on display at the 24th annual Tacoma Home Show to be held March 31 - April 5th. The manufacturer was the St. Regis Paper Co., a leader in the Pacific Northwest's fast-growing modular home construction field. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 3-22-70, D-10--article)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Prefabricated houses; Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Modular home units. A Kenworth truck has just pulled up to the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on March 18, 1970, and will shortly be unloading one section of a modular home which will be displayed during the annual Tacoma Home Show. The modular homes, called "MODS," were manufactured by St. Regis Paper Co. and aimed toward buyers seeking low-cost homes. They could be assembled in one day at the buyer's lot. View of heavy duty truck with "Caution Wide Load" sign and part of modular home; the university's Baker Stadium is in rear. (TNT 3-22-70, D-10- article)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980; Prefabricated houses;

Star Iron & Steel. On January 14, 1970, a series of photographs were taken regarding plant operations at Star Iron & Steel, 326 Alexander Ave. This is believed to be the building housing the aluminum fabrication unit. The interior looks very crowded with a variety of aluminum products. Founded in 1908, Star Iron & Steel was one of the oldest steel fabrication plants in the Pacific Northwest. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--1970-1980; Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Star Iron & Steel. This is believed to be the aluminum fabrication plant at Star Iron & Steel in early 1970. The interior appears crowded with stacks of aluminum with metal shavings and piles of debris in the photograph's foreground. Star Iron & Steel, a long established Tacoma firm, had moved to more spacious quarters in the Port Industrial area in 1963. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980; Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980;

This is the newly constructed office building at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. The company built a three million dollar facility on Marine View Dr. in 1969 to replace its Sitcum Waterway plant which was completely destroyed by fire in August of 1968. One of its near neighbors was Western Boat Building who had permanently moved to a seven-acre site on the Hylebos after its longtime plant on 11th St. was gutted by fire in October of 1965. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (Additional information provided by a reader)

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

Launching. The 184-foot steel tuna seiner, "Trinidad," was launched at 5:30 a.m. on February 27, 1971, from the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding yard on the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. The $2,100,000 fishing boat was christened by Mrs. William A. Magellan, wife of the owner/skipper. Scheduled delivery to her San Diego owner was expected in mid-May of 1971. The vessel, capable of holding 850-ton of frozen fish, was used to fish for Star-Kist Foods. The 36-foot wide "Trinidad" was air conditioned and held a crew of 16. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 2-28-71, A-21- article) TPL-9461

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Post-launching. The "Grand Rapids" rests alongside Tacoma Boatbuilding's Marine View Dr. facilities after a successful launching on April 4, 1970. The gunboat was named for the hometown of House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford; Mr. Ford and his family were in attendance at the launching ceremonies. The PG 98 would be commissioned on September 5, 1970. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding.

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Tugboats post-christening. On June 13, 1970, two tugboats were christened at Martinac Shipbuilding facilities. Both the "Seneca" (foreground) and "Sioux" (rear) are Seattle-based but will be used to haul barges to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska's oil fields. Color photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-14-70, A-4 - article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. View of Tacoma Boatbuilding plant on the Hylebos Waterway on November 11, 1972, when the fishing boat "Sea Royal" was launched. The "Sea Royal" was another of the large 225-foot class of tuna seiners produced by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. TPL-9758

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);