By October of 1941, the Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Shipbuilding Corporation on Tacoma's Tideflats employed 3,000 workers, most of whom drove back and forth to work. The workers' cars filled a large lot at the end of Alexander Avenue, just north of the Hooker Chemical plant (which is in the background). When the workday was over, there was only one way back into the city, down Alexander Avenue, onto East 11th Street and across the 11th street (now Murray Morgan) Bridge, creating a massive traffic jam. The shipyard was planning to add 5,000 more workers in the next few months and the city was working on a traffic flow solution. (T. Times, 10/07/1941]

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Parking lots--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

Smilin' William (Bill) Mikesell came to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards from Montana about 18 months before this July 14, 1943 portrait. Although employed as a second shift welder on the ways, his heart was with his art work. He had been dabbling in oils since 1933 and had sold several of his paintings pre-war despite the fact that he had never had any art instruction. He found numerous subjects to paint at the shipyard and several of his paintings were hung in the welders' shack on Way No. 5. After the war, he planned to retire with his earnings and return to his brushes and paint. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 8; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Mikesell, William;

Delegation looking at model of Sea-Tac Shipyards during visit of Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States. Lord and Lady Halifax spent an hour touring the big steel shipyard on July 22, 1943. The Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards were builders of aircraft carriers for use in the war. O.A. Tucker, general manager of the shipyards, is standing next to Lady Halifax who is wearing a dark jacket over a flowered skirt. Lord Halifax is standing slightly behind her, next to a man believed to be Earle Bennett, training director, who is showing the shipyard's model buildings and vessels. This was the second visit from British royalty in two months; in May the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada, and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, toured the facility and inspected aircraft carriers under construction. (TNT 7-22-43, p. 1) TPL-1959 ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Tucker, O.A.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, Dorothy, Lady Halifax, US Naval Officers and others aboard escort carrier under construction at Sea-Tac Shipyards. Lord Halifax is standing next to O.A. Tucker, general manager of the shipyard. The ambassador's party spent an hour touring the facility. Lord Halifax praised highly American labor which is building hundreds of fighting ships. (T.Times, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Tucker, O.A.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, son Lt. Richard Wood, and others on elevator aboard escort carrier under advanced construction at Sea-Tac Shipyards. A sign in large lettering painted on the ship warns of the dangers of propellers. Members of the United States Navy and British Navy were among those accompanying the Ambassador on his visit to the shipyards. He was able to make a quick inspection of a carrier under construction and then ride the plane elevator down from the flight deck. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Wood, Richard Frederick; Nobility--England; Signs (Notices); Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, and his entourage toured the facilities of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on July 22, 1943. In town to accept an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from fellow Oxford alumnus R. Franklin Thompson of the College of Puget Sound, Lord Halifax managed to squeeze in several other stops, including an inspection of escort aircraft carriers under construction at the shipyards. View of crowded deck and military officers from both the British and American navies as well as company officials. Soldier in wheelchair was the third and youngest son of Lord Halifax, Lt. Richard Wood, who had both legs amputated due to war injuries. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Wood, Richard Frederick; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States and Lady Halifax are greeted by US and British Naval officers and others at Sea-Tac Shipyards. The tall and lanky ambassador extends his hand as he is welcomed on an inspection tour of escort aircraft carriers being built by the shipyard. His entourage included his son, Lt. Richard Wood and British consul in Seattle, Harold Swan and wife. Acting Mayor C. Val Fawcett escorted the group to the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Acting Mayor C. Val Fawcett had the honor of escorting Lady Halifax, wife of the British ambassador to the United States, and two companions on a tour of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards in July, 1943. Dorothy, Lady Halifax, is looking downwards, dressed in white hat and dark jacket. Next to her is believed to be Mrs. Harold Swan, wife of the British consul in Seattle. The ambassador, his son Lt. Richard Wood, and other dignitaries rode in three other vehicles. For some reason, this picture appears to have been flipped with the steering wheel on the right hand side. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of--Family; Nobility--England; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Pretty Marmie Osborn was chosen by the employees of the Engineering Department at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard to represent the 1st shift Files in the August 1943 "All Yard Queen" contest. The winner would be crowned at the shipyard's picnic at the Sutherland Resort at Five Mile Lake. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg.6; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Osborn, Marmie;

Seattle-Tacoma shipyard employee Art Faith, right, shook hands with Seaman Basil D. Izzi during the sailor's visit to the Tacoma yard on August 25, 1943. Art Faith worked in Material Control, 2nd shift, where he held his own despite the fact that he had only one hand. Seaman Izzi had survived a record 83 days adrift in the South Atlantic, the longest in Navy history. He was assigned as a gunner on a United Nations merchant ship that was torpedoed. The nineteen year old clung to wreckage for 2 nights and a day before locating and swimming to the life raft. The 8x9 foot raft, with provisions for 16 days, drifted 2,200 miles before the three survivors were rescued. Izzi's weight had dropped from 145 to 80 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); Faith, Art; Izzi, Basil;

In a special December 7, 1943 ceremony, held on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard was presented with the prestigious Army-Navy "E" Award. The "E" Award was in recognition of excellent production, beyond the expectations of the government. The awards were made before the largest crowd ever assembled, 25,000, in the Pacific Northwest for this type of event. Here a uniformed Naval officer stands before a microphone on a flag draped podium in what appears to be a secondary event connected with the award. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. XII, pg. 3; December 24, 1943 issue)

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

Several thousand workers at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard on Tacoma's tideflats gathered on December 7,1943, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, to watch their company receive the Army -Navy "E" pennant for excellence in production. During WWII the "E" Pennant was the highest award that could be conferred on an industrial plant. Factors in the selection of a plant for recognition were high quality and quantity of production. This was one of several ceremonies held at the shipyard to allow all shifts of workers to celebrate the awarding of the pennant and for the presentation of individual pins to plant employees . (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. XII, pg. 3; December 24, 1943 issue; T.Times 12-8-43, p. 1-article)

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

A Naval officer pinned an "E" Award pin on an employee at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard during a special December 7, 1943 ceremony presenting the company and employees with the prestigious Army-Navy award. The award was the highest that could be conferred on an industrial plant and its workers. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. XII, pg. 3; December 24, 1943 issue)

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

A shipyard worker in a hard hat proudly displayed the Army-Navy "E" pennant for inspection. The "E" pennant was the highest award conferred on an industrial plant. It was awarded to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. during a special December 7, 1943 ceremony. The flag was given in recognition of excellent production, far exceeding the expectations of the government. The Tacoma yard had cut more than a million man hours in the production of its escort carriers. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. XII, pg. 3; December 24, 1943 issue)

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

This aerial photograph of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation yard on Tacoma's tideflats was taken at night in November of 1943, partly as a test of a new infra red film. To the right, in the brightly lighted area, at least four hulls are under construction as work work went on 24 hours a day on warships contracted by the military, now heavily involved in World War II. The lights of Tacoma cut through the night sky.

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

Joyous Mary Morton was a candidate in the Sea-Tac shipyard Yard Queen contest in July of 1943. Miss Morton, who worked 1st shift in Material Consn., was undoubtedly nominated because of her fantastic smile. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 7; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Morton, Mary;

On National Maritime Day, May 22, 1942, the U. S. S. Altamaha was launched by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. just before midnight. She was the second ship launched that day at the company's Tacoma yard. The U. S. S. Barnes had been launched at 12:01 a.m. National Maritime Day was the 123rd anniversary of the first successful trans-oceanic voyage by a steamship. The Altamaha received one battle star for her participation in the 3rd Fleet supporting operations off Luzon in 1944. She was placed out of commission in 1946 and scrapped in 1961. The Barnes was scrapped in 1960. (T. Times 5/22/1942, pg.1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Earl L. Markham was photographed with his stud welder in April of 1943. He set a new record at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. when he slapped in 477 studs in a flight deck in 58 minutes. Just how many was that? Well, 600 was an average day's work. Modest Markham credited his co-workers and admitted it was a little hard on his back. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. 1 No. 7, Pg 6, May 8, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Markham, Earl L.; Welding;

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);