The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, shown speaking at Sea-Tac Shipyards to the trainees in the training department on May 4, 1943. The Princess, Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain, standing slightly behind her, and Sea-Tac assistant General Manager George F. Kachlein Jr. look on. Formerly Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of South Africa, the Earl had extensive military experience in both the South African War and First World War. He had attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and was an officer in the 7th Queen's Own Hussars, the Royal Horse Guards, and the 2nd Life Guards. The Earl and his wife toured the shipyard and were given a personal inspection of the U.S.S. Pybus, #29. (T. Times, 5-4-43, p. 3, T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1 No. 7, pg. 3; May 8, 1943 issue) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, the Princess, and other dignitaries look at a scale model of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard on May 4, 1943. Standing next to the Earl is believed to be Capt. J.L. McGuigan, USN, supervisor of shipbuilding and the official escort of the royal tour. The Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard was instrumental in building several escort aircraft carriers for use during the war. (T. Times, 5-4-43, p. 3, T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Building models; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

In his official capacity as Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, Alexander, the Earl of Athlone inspected American war operations at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on May 4, 1943. The Earl and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, were accompanied by Mayor Harry P. Cain and Governor Arthur Langlie, among others, on the tour of the shipyard. He had spent the day earlier at the Bremerton Navy Yard and at Fort Lewis. Here the Earl and his wife are shown mixing with workmen at the shipyard; Mayor Cain is spotted in the background. (T. Times 5-4-43, p. 3, T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Governor General of Canada and his wife, Princess Alice, visited the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. yard on the Tacoma tideflats in May of 1943. While inspecting the construction area, the Princess brushed up against some fresh paint. Arthur McKee, safety inspector on swing shift at the Shipyard, removed the wet yellow paint from Princess Alice's hemline. The Princess thought that he was a versatile man and thanked him for his kindness. Alice and her husband, the Earl of Athlone, had toured the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard, the Bremerton Navy Yard, and Fort Lewis to examine American war operations. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; McKee, Arthur; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Vera Grenfell, Lady in Waiting to Princess Alice, with women workers after receiving a gardenia corsage at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. Marie Folk, tool room clerk, Palma Rogers and Lynn Peterson, shipfitter's helpers, presented the flowers. Miss Grenfell accompanied HRH Princess Alice and her husband, Alexander, Earl of Athlone, on a visit to the shipyards where the royal pair toured escort aircraft carriers being constructed. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1; Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1 No.7, pg 3, May 8, 1943 issue) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Grenfell, Vera; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, visited the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on May 4, 1943, to view construction of escort aircraft carriers. On the dock, they paused to speak to August Wiechman, whirley hose guard. They complimented him on his children, two sons who were lieutenant-colonels in the army, a daughter who was an army nurse and five other children in defense work. The Earl, as Canada's Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief, was very active in supporting the war effort by continuously inspecting troops, training schools and military hospitals. His wife also was quite involved as she was honorary commandant of several military units. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1 No. 7, pg. 3; May 8, 1943 issue) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Wiechman, August;

Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain stands casually with hands in pocket as he listens to the conversation between HRH Princess Alice and Capt. J.L. McGuigan at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. Mayor Cain had met the Princess and her husband, the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada, in Olympia and escorted the royal group to the shipyards. Capt. McGuigan was the supervisor of shipbuilding and the official escort on the actual shipyard tour. (T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; McGuigan, J.L.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Looking a little bewildered, but none the less pleased, new Poppa Carl Murray, first shift electrician at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. in June of 1943, was covered with pert, beribboned packages containing all those cute little things that new babies need. Cluing in the novice Dad are office force employees (in no particular order) Irene Flemish, Meletta Reed, Juanita Huston and Edith Askew. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 8; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Murray, Carl; Fathers; Gifts; Flemish, Irene; Reed, Meletta; Huston, Juanita; Askew, Edith;

Thousands of workers at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. were present late in April of 1943 when the plant was presented with the Treasury T flag. The banner was presented to defense companies when 90 % of their employees contributed 10% of their salaries toward the purchase of war bonds. The highlight of the day shift ceremony was the appearance of the Shipyard band (in crowd, 1/3 of the way from the podium) under the direction of Joe Rausch. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1, No.7; May 8, 1943, pg. 2)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); War bonds & funds; Awards; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

In April of 1943, the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma yard, received the Treasury T flag when 90 % of their employees pledged 10% of their wages to the purchase of war bonds. Eighteen Sea-Tac employees helped make an additional one week long bond drive a success. They each purchased a $1,000 bond or more, contributing to the sale of $125,000 in bonds over the regular deductions. Two members of the "Roll of Honor" were Elmer Kaufman, left, and Louis Rossi. The 1942 City Directory lists Mr. Rossi as a shipfitter who resided at 913 So. 16th St. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1, No.7; May 8, 1943, pg. 2)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); War bonds & funds; Awards; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Kaufman, Elmer; Rossi, Louis;

Governor Arthur Langlie has turned to engage in conversation with the Earl of Athlone during their procession at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on May 4, 1943. The 69-year-old Governor-General of Canada and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, were met in Seattle by Governor Langlie and his wife. They went with them to the Bremerton Navy Yard and then hosted a luncheon at the executive mansion in Olympia. Before arriving at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards, the touring party stopped at Fort Lewis for a demonstration of training units with mechanized equipment. Seated in the rear seat of the vehicle are, left to right, O.A. Tucker, General Manager of Sea-Tac, the Earl and Capt. J.L. McGuigan, USN. (T.Times 5-4-43, p. 3, T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone, at microphone, seems to have the rivited attention of shipyard workers, if not all of his touring party, at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. The Earl and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, were present to view the escort aircraft carriers being built at the shipyards. Princess Alice, in dark suit and hat, stands a few feet away from her husband; she was the daughter of Leopold Saxe-Coburg, Duke of Albany, and granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain (background, looking away from the royal pair) and Governor Arthur Langlie were also part of the touring group. (T. Times 5-4-43, p. 3, T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Alexander, Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, speaks with workers at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Washington State Trooper Olson is at rear. Women were taking an active role in nontraditional employment as thousands worked in the aircraft and shipbuilding industries during WWII. Dressed in hard hat, suspenders and pants, a female employee of Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards smiles as she listens to the Earl. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

On May 4, 1943, the Earl of Athlone and his wife, Princess Alice, visited the escort airplane carrier U.S.S. Pybus which was under construction at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding yard in Tacoma. Before she boarded the ship, Princess Alice was presented an orchid corsage by welders Crystal Fender and Gladys Price, and burner Frances Miller (order in photo unknown). The Earl of Athlone was Governor-General of Canada and an uncle of King George VI. Princess Alice was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and Honorary Commandant of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. Mrs. Harold Swan, wife of the British Consul in Seattle and Vera Grenfell, the Princess' Lady in Waiting, look on. (T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Grenfell, Vera; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain, left, accompanies HRH Princess Alice, wife of the Earl of Athlone, on their visit to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. The mayor is seated next to Vera Grenfell, Lady-in-Waiting to the Princess. HRH Princess Alice is seated in the back left of the open-air automobile and seated next to her is Mrs. Harold Swan, wife of the British consul in Seattle. Mayor Cain met the Princess and her husband, the Governor-General of Canada, in Olympia and escorted them to the shipyards. The touring group stopped at Fort Lewis on the way to the shipyards for a demonstration of training units. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grenfell, Vera; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of Princess Alice, the Princess, and others look at an architectural model of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Standing left to right are Capt. J.L. McGuigan, supervisor of shipbuilding and the royal couple's official escort, the Earl, Sea-Tac Assistant General Manager George F. Kachlein Jr., the Princess, two unidentified men and Mrs. Harold Swan, wife of the British consul in Seattle. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, the Princess, Mayor Harry Cain and others in the party during visit to the Sea-Tac Shipyard. The group is aboard the U.S.S. Pybus, #29, under construction at the shipyard. It was one of several escort aircraft carriers being built by Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. Pictured left to right are an unidentified man, Sea-Tac General Manager O.A. Tucker, the Earl of Athlone, Capt. J.L. McGuigan, Mrs. Harold Swan, Princess Alice, two unidentified women, Lady-in-Waiting Vera Grenfell and Mayor Harry Cain. Also known to be in the travelling party were Capt. Allen Leveson-Gower, aide de camp, British consul Harold Swan and Sir Shuldham Redfern, secretary to the Earl. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grenfell, Vera; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Princess Alice is highly amused by the combined efforts of Arthur McKee, safety inspector at the Sea-Tac Shipyard, and Capt. J.L. McGuigan to remove wet paint from the royal hemline during her visit to Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard. The Princess and her husband were so interested in viewing vital war operations that they brushed against fresh yellow paint. The Earl thought that he would leave the paint alone in remembrance of his trip to Tacoma but the Princess gladly accepted the aid of McKee and McGuigan to remove the stain. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; McKee, Arthur; McGuigan, J.L.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

While taking a much needed coffee break on June 30, 1943, new dad Carl Murray received a stack of baby presents from his fellow workers at the Seattle Tacoma Shipyards. An electrician in Shop A, Murray is surrounded by four office force employees: (in no particular order) Irene Flemish, Meletta Reed, Juanita Huston and Edith Askew. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 8; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Murray, Carl; Flemish, Irene; Reed, Meletta; Huston, Juanita; Askew, Edith; Gifts; Fathers;

In July of 1943, Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard "Civilian Navy Inspectors," also known as technical engineers, were photographed during a lunch break. This group was only a portion of the 37 inspectors who were responsible for checking and testing the shipyard's workmanship and equipment. The inspectors could be identified by their red, white and blue helmets. All were members of the Technical Engineers Union, A.F.L., and most had prior experience at the Puget Sound Navy yard in Bremerton. Onto their capable shoulders fell the task of constantly observing the shipbuilding process from the laying of the hull to the finished product and painstakingly testing each little part to make sure that the Sea-Tac ships reached the boys in the service in perfect working order. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.II No.II, Pg 4-5, July 24, 1943 issue) TPL-3304

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

In July of 1943, Al Riviere and Frank Bujan lit up an after-meal cigarette while working at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard, ignoring the giant warning painted on the building behind them. The two Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. employees were not trying to burn down the plant, they were posing for a series of photographs published in the company's newspaper. "The Keel" carried an article that month on what NOT to do to prevent fires. The company was waging war against fire, one of the most formidable foes of the war effort. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.II No.II, Pg 3 July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Riviere, Al; Bujan, Frank; Smoking; Cigarettes;

A trio of men proudly display the Treasury T banner, also known as the "Minuteman" flag, after its presentation to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma yard, in late April of 1943. The men are, left to right, Leon Titus, Pierce County War Bond drive chairman, Karl Richards, Washington state war savings staff director, and George G. Kachlein, Jr., assistant general manager of the plant. The flag will fly over the plant, right below the US flag. The T flag is presented to defense companies where 90% of the employees contribute 10% of their salaries to the purchase of war bonds. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1, No.7; May 8, 1943, pg. 2; TNT 4/29/1943, pg. 1))

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); War bonds & funds; Awards; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Titus, Leon; Kachlein, George;

The Treasury T flag, presented to the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. in late April of 1943, is proudly unfurled for the shipyard workers to admire. Holding the flag are, left to right, George (Kelly) Verge, Anson C. Hart, Karl Richards, Leon Titus and George F. Kachlein Jr. The T flag was presented to defense companies where 90% of the employees contributed 10% of their salaries to the purchase of war bonds. The flag depicted a Colonial minuteman surrounded by thirteen stars. A large "T" was at the bottom right corner. Presentation ceremonies were held 4/28 at 11am and 7pm and 4/29 at 3pm. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1, No.7; May 8, 1943, pg. 2; T. Times 4/29/1943, pg. 2)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); War bonds & funds; Awards; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Titus, Leon; Kachlein, George;

In April of 1943, the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma yard, received the Treasury T flag when 90 % of their employees pledged 10% of their wages to the purchase of war bonds. Some employees, such as Melvin True (pictured) went even further. Mr. True was recognized for having purchased a bond for over $1,000. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1, No.7; May 8, 1943, pg. 2)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); War bonds & funds; Awards; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; True, Melvin;

The Earl of Athlone, left, Governor-general of Canada, jovially speaks with employees during his May 4, 1943 tour of the Tacoma yards of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. He and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, were making a "Goodwill" tour of the American war making industries. A visit that was scheduled to last 30 minutes extended into three times that length as the pair toured the shipyard. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. 1, No. 7, pg. 3; May 8, 1943 issue)

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

O.A. Tucker, general manager of the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, the Princess, and Captain J. L. McGuigan, U.S.N., inspect a "jeep carrier" (small aircraft carrier) under construction at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. McGuigan was the supervisor of shipbuilding and the official escort of the royal couple during the tour of the shipyard. As Governor-General of Canada, the Earl was also Commander-in-Chief of its military force. (T.Times, 5-4-43, p. 3, T.Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; McGuigan, J.L.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada, his wife Princess Alice, and Captain J.L. McGuigan aboard escort carrier USS Pybus #29 under construction at Sea-Tac Shipyard. Capt. McGuigan was the supervisor of shipbuilding at the shipyards and the royal couple's official escort. Despite the cold and grime, the Princess insisted on going aboard the ship. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; McGuigan, J.L.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Safety inspector Arthur McKee, Mayor Harry Cain, a woman worker and a Coast Guard policeman try to remove wet paint from pantleg of the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada, during visit to Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. The Governor-General was so enthralled in viewing the new escort aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Pybus, #29, that he brushed against a freshly painted yellow surface. It appears that everyone has sprung into action to alleviate this little mishap as the Earl gazes down on all the helping hands. Fresh paint also managed to marr HRH Princess Alice's hemline as well. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; McKee, Arthur; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone (L) and his entourage at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on May 4, 1943. Next to the Earl in the front row is Capt. J.L. McGuigan, supervisor of shipbuilding and official escort; he is to the left of HRH Princess Alice, wife of the Earl of Athlone. To the right of the Princess is Sea-Tac Assistant General Manager George F. Kachlein Jr. As Governor-General of Canada and its Commander-in-Chief, the Earl paid a visit to the shipyards to view escort aircraft carriers being constructed. He was accompanied on the tour by Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain and Governor Arthur Langlie. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; McGuigan, J.L.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

This cluttered staircase was featured in an article about fire prevention in the July 24, 1943 issue of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard newspaper, the Keel. The pictures were of things workers should NOT do in the interest of fire prevention. The paper warned of flash fires, if clutter like this were ignited and warned workers to dispose of all trash. TPL-3522 (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.II No.II, Pg 3 July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fire prevention;