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;

At 10 am on Thursday, October 23, 1941, 500 welders at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation walked out in sympathy with their striking Seattle brothers. Lake Washington workers had been locked out after joining an unaffiliated welders union; the conclusion to a 20 year fight with the American Federation of Labor for the right to form their own union. Welders were currently scattered among eight unions and were required to pay dues to two or more unions at the same time. By October 28th, picketers had effectively brought the shipyard to a standstill as welders and sympathizers refused to cross the picket lines. The Tacoma shipyard held 100 million in unfinished defense contracts. This photograph from October 28th demonstrates the peaceful, but loud, picketing. A truck has been halted by picketers at the shipyard entrance. The loud speakers at the left belonged to the welders, the ones to the right (over the truck) belonged to the AFL Metal Trades Council. A constant war of words had been raging for several days. (T. Times 10/23/1941, pg.1; 10/29/41, pg. 1 il)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On April 17, 1941, the 205th Coast Artillery anti-aircraft unit participated in "war games" at the industrial waterfront of Tacoma. The unit was defending the industrial lands, particularly the shipyards, from attack by airplane. Here, soldiers set up a large anti-aircraft cannon in a grove of trees located across the highway from Rayonier, Inc. (T. Times 4/18/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); 205th Coast Artillery (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training;

The Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. broke all their previous records in payroll war savings and the purchase of extra war bonds during the month of April 1943. They had already collected $379,518.84 locally in payroll deductions toward the national goal of $13 billion. Pictured are War Bond department manager Anson Hart and chief clerk (standing) Mrs. May McDowell. Typing certificates are Virginia Carlbloom, left, and Lillian Marshall. (TNT 4/20/1943, pg. 15- picture; T.Times, 4/20/43, p.10) [Also dated 04-12-9143]

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Hart, Anson; McDowell, May; Carlbloom, Virginia; Marshall, Lillian;

ca. 1940. Side view of freighter Cape Flattery, second vessel launched by the Sea-Tac Shipyard, at anchor. (Argentum)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Progress picture of Hull #3 at Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. The merchant motorship would be launched on November 29, 1940 as the Cape Cleare. It was one of five identical cargo ships being built under contract by the company. TPL-1856

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Top officers of the Cape Alava and Cape Flattery. Hard hatted workers at the Seattle Tacoma shipyards leave the dock where finish work continues on the Cape Alava and Cape Flattery. The two merchant ships were the first two commissioned with the shipyard. (T. Times)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Launch #2 at the Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., the launching of the Cape Flattery. The 416 foot motorship was launched on September 28, 1940. The ultra modern merchant vessel was more than half finished at the time of its launching. Already in place were the two 2200 horsepower diesel engines and the all steel deck houses, designed to house 43 seamen and 8 passengers. The cost of the vessel tipped the scale at $2,127,000. (T. Times 9/27/1940, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick P. Dravis and their daughter Virginia attended the 39th launching at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation on May 6, 1943. "The Keeweenaw," a US airplane carrier, was being launched. Mr. Dravis was the owner of Dravis Engineering & Machine Works of Tacoma. He was a naval architect and marine engineer. While holding for a radio broadcast of the ceremony to begin, the vessel slipped down the ways, launching itself five minutes early. (TNT 5/7/1943, pg. 1)

Dravis, Frederick P.--Family; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. workers line up to purchase War Bonds during the Second War Loan Drive, 4/12- 5/1/1943. In addition to long term investment in bonds (the Payroll Savings Plan), specific short term campaigns were also held. There were eight bond drives altogether during World War II. The War Finance Committees, responsible for the sale of bonds, sold a total of 185.7 Billion in securities during WWII, a feat that has never been equalled. By the end of the war, 8 out of every 13 Americans had invested in war bonds.

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

Hard hatted workers line up at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. to purchase war bonds during the Second War Loan Drive held 4/12-5/1/1943. By the end of the drive, Americans had purchased 18.5 billion in war bonds, 5 billion over the 13 billion goal. This proceeds from this drive alone equalled over 90 % of the amount raised by the combined drives of World War I.

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

The Tacoma Times honored defense worker mothers of active servicemen on our nation's second wartime Mother's Day in May of 1943. On page 1 was this picture of Mrs. C.W. Greening, mother of one of Tacoma's most famous servicemen Major Ross Greening, a pilot with the heroic Tokyo Air Raiders, led by Jimmy Doolittle. Mrs. Greening was employed by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. Tacoma plant in the payroll department. Her son had been one of the pilots in the top secret raid on mainland Japan on April 18, 1942, that slowed down the Japanese war machine and gave a boost to American morale. The land based 16 B-25s took off from the deck of the aircraft carrier Hornet and carried out the war's first bombing raid on Japan. All but one of the aircraft crash landed or the crew bailed out. Major Greening and his crew bailed out and reached China safely. In 1943, he was stationed in North Africa, where he was shot down and captured in July of 1943. He survived the war and continued in a distinguished military career until his death in 1957. (T. Times 5/8/1943 p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Mothers; Greening, C.W.--Family; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People;

Mrs. C.E. Taylor, wife of commander C.E. Taylor, ordnance officer 13th Naval district, was photographed holding the traditional spray of roses presented to a ship's sponsor. Mrs. Taylor was acting as the sponsor for the USS Sunset. The escort carrier was launched July 15, 1943 at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle- Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. The vessel was later transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned as the HMS Thane. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Photographed next to the USS Sunset during its July 15, 1943 launching are O.A. Tucker, General Manager of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., and the ship's sponsor Mrs. C.E. Taylor. Mrs. Taylor, well dressed in white gloves and picture hat, holds the traditional spray of roses. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On July 15, 1943, the USS Sunset (CVE 48) slid down the ways at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., the 43rd ship to be launched at the Tacoma yard. Although launched, the escort carrier was never commissioned in the US Navy. Instead, it was transferred on lend-lease to the British Royal Navy in November of 1943, where it was commissioned as the HMS Thane. The vessel operated as a ferry and convoy transport escort in the North Atlantic until it was torpedoed by a German U-boat January 15, 1945. The ship survived but was deemed unrepairable and was scrapped in 1946. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org) TPL-9655

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On July 15, 1943, a variety of hard-hatted workers, men in business suits and uniformed military men watched the USS Sunset slide down the ways at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard. The vessel would later be transferred to the Royal Navy who would rename her the HMS Thane. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mrs. C.E. Taylor, sponsor for the July 15, 1943 launching of the USS Sunset, poses with a group of unidentified women and military men at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. Mrs. Taylor holds the traditional spray of roses and has one arm resting on the shoulder of her young daughter, who is attired in a replica of an overseas campaign hat. The women are probably the wives of the military officers and shipyard officials. Commander C.E. Taylor is standing second from left. (TNT 7/16/1943, pg. 7- names of sponsor's party in article)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mrs. C.E. Taylor smiles up at O.A. Tucker, general manager of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., while standing arm in arm with her husband Commander C.E. Taylor. Mrs. Taylor holds a spray of roses while Commander Taylor holds a beribboned bottle of champagne. Mrs. Taylor will be using the champagne to christen the escort carrier USS Sunset prior to her July 15, 1943 launching. The Sunset is the 43th ship to be christened at the Tacoma yard. (TNT 7/16/1943, pg. 7)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

One of the major problems facing America during the beginning of World War II was the training of skilled mechanics and engineers in large enough numbers to handle the flood of defense work. The Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. developed its own in-plant training program for helpers who showed aptitude for their work. By April of 1943, the program had been in place and growing for one year. 225 instructors supervised over 1,000 trainees in seven crafts. Here welding instructor Ed Moe checks the work of Alfred Warren. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. 1 No. 7, Pg.4-5, May 8, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Welding; World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Moe, Ed; Warren, Alfred;

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;

Lois Tusler was chosen by her fellow employees in the Blueprint Dept. to be their candidate for "All Yard Queen" at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard picnic in August of 1943 at Sutherland's Resort, Five Mile Lake. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg.6; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Tusler, Lois;

Peggy Sparks was the choice of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard 2nd shift Shipwrights to wear the crown of "All Yard Queen." The winner would be crowned at the August 1943 company picnic. Miss Sparks posed for a photograph during her workday. Her employment badge, with photo, was attached to her lapel. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg.6; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Sparks, Peggy;

Workers at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards came from all walks of life and at least two of them had "checkered" careers. Kenneth (Mighty Mite) Grover, seated left, and Jesse (Bonaparte) Hanson, seated right, would be playing one another Lincoln's birthday, February 12, 1944, for the Pacific Coast Checker Championship. Kenneth Grover, employed at Sea-Tac as an electrician, was a U.S. crossboard checker champion, who played as high as 60 opponents at one time or six blindfolded. A published authority on checkers, he was the runner-up in the previous year's US checker championship. Jesse Hanson, who was a graveyard worker in the labor section at Sea-Tac, was the current Pacific Coast champion and had played in Europe, Mexico, Guatemala and every state in the Union. The three observers are not identified. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. III, No. 2, pg. 7; January 19, 1944 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Grover, Kenneth; Hanson, Jesse; Checkers;

Seaman Basil D. Izzi, left, is photographed with Lt. Robert Mallett during a visit to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on August 25, 1943. Seaman Izzi, who had survived a record 83 days on a life raft, spoke at the shipyards and helped present Suggestion Awards. The awards were presented to those employees who made suggestions that cut down production time or improved the quality of workmanship. Seaman Izzi, while serving as a gunner on a United Nations merchant ship that was torpedoed, went overboard and clung to wreckage before sighting and swimming to the life raft. He and four other sailors subsided on the raft, with provisions for only 16 days, by eating fish and birds that they caught and drinking rainwater captured on a canvas. They spent Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day on the raft. Only three of the sailors survived. By the time they were rescued, Izzi had dropped over 65 pounds. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. V, pg. 3; September 4, 1943 issue; TNT 8/26/1943, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Izzi, Basil; Mallett, Robert;

Nancy Linebaugh was typical of the many "war widows" employed at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards during August of 1943. Her husband Haden was attending Marine officers' school and rather than sitting at home, she was doing her bit to help the war effort by working in the accounting department at the shipyards. The couple had met at Rainier National Park, where she was employed and he was a Park Ranger. The couple had a three year old son, Haden Jr. Mrs. Linebaugh played the piano and favored popular music. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. V, pg. 8; September 4, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Linebaugh, Nancy; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;

On December 7, 1943, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. was awarded the prestigious "E" Award for excellence in production. In this photo, an unidentified man was making a speech from a flag festooned platform loaded with various shipyard dignitaries and Naval officers. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. XII, pg. 3; December 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Awards;

In February of 1943, three unidentified young female employees at the Sea-Tac Shipyard in Tacoma sat on a counter during a break while they shared the newest, and possibly the first, edition of the Sea-Tac Keel. The "Keel" was the in-house publication of the Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. It helped keep the over 28,000 defense workers who worked at Tacoma's mammoth shipbuilding yard both informed and entertained.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Newspapers; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

In 1943, the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard was running 24 hours a day, busy with defense work. Lee Gundstrom was employed on the swing shift. He had come to the shipyard as a pipe-fitter when the swing shift began late in 1940. The main job his crew performed was a military secret that even the Keel wouldn't divulge. Tacoma native Lee and his wife Sue lived at 5017 No. Vassault. His hobby away from work was taking care of his Victory Garden. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. 1 No. 7, Pg 8, May 8, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Gundstrom, Lee;

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;