The old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Company plant were destroyed by fire shortly after noon on Tuesday, January 7,1936. Flames and thick black smoke engulfed the warehouse building and dock while firemen and equipment on land fought to quell the fire. The City fireboat and four Foss tugs were also called into action and together, they managed to contain the fire to stop it from spreading to other nearby warehouses and docks. It was reported that a wood dust explosion caused the $260,000 fire. The Waterside Milling Co. specialized in the manufacture of wood flour, which was a finely powdered form of wood. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1-article; T.Times 1-8-36, p. 1+-article; TDL 1-8-36, p. 1-article & various photographs; 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).
Old London Dock destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936. City fireboat and Foss tugs dousing flames at waterfront Waterside Milling Co. warehouse. Thick plumes of smoke drift into the Bay as the Tacoma Fire Department tries to staunch the enormous blaze. Wood dust exploded in the Waterside wheat warehouse causing the building and dock to be gutted; damages were set at $260,000. Thousands of residents lined the 11th St. Bridge and surrounding hillsides to watch the spectacular sight. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;
The Old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Co. on Tacoma's waterfront were destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936. The City fireboat and four Foss tugs are shown fighting the enormous blaze which had earlier threatened the Municipal Dock, Western States grocery and Younglove grocery warehouse. The 2000 foot Waterside Milling Co. warehouse was divided into long sections separated by brick fire walls. The fire walls on the south end of the London Dock helped to stop the blaze from spreading in that direction. There were no reported fatalities among the sixteen workers on the dock at the time of the fire, although one man suffered burns. Total damages, according to the Tacoma Daily Ledger, were set at $260,000. The ruins of the Tacoma Hotel and the city skyline loom in the background. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Old London Dock destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936, as the Waterside Milling Co. wheat warehouse is engulfed by flames. The 2000 foot structure was divided into long sections separated by brick fire walls. It is believed that wood dust exploded causing the fire; fortunately, there were no fatalities listed. Damages were set at $260,000. The city fireboat, led by Chief Emory Whitaker, and four Foss tugs succeeded in successfully containing the blaze. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Buck and Company. Several men standing beside a truck parked in front of garage doors at rear of building. View from across large paved parking lot. (T. Times) filed with Argentum
This 35 foot cutter, the White Cloud, moored at the Tacoma Yacht Club, was Tacoma's only entry in the Los Angeles (actually Santa Monica) to Honolulu trans Pacific sailing race beginning July 4th, 1936. Skipper Radner R. ("Rad") Pratsch felt confident about his entry although his sailboat was just over the minimum size limit. He posed on his sailboat June 1, 1936 with his daughter Carol prior to leaving for Seattle to pick up his crew and continue down to California for the beginning of the race. Pratsch was a veteran sailor and a rear commodore of the Yacht Club. He was also the owner of the Realart Theatre at 5415 South Tacoma Way and a 25 year Tacoma resident. (T. Times 6/1/1936, pg. 1)
Cutter "White Cloud" moored near the shore. On June 1, 1936, Skipper Radner R. ("Rad") Pratsch and his daughter Carol were preparing their sailboat, the cutter "White Cloud," for the annual July Santa Monica to Honolulu yacht race. At 35 feet, the sailboat was just over the minimum size limit. It represented the Tacoma Yacht Club as Tacoma's only entry in the race. Skipper Pratsch and his crew sailed the 2,566 mile race in approximately 30 days; a feat matched by Pratsch in a solo sail in December of 1939. (T. Times 6/1/1936, pg. 1)
On June 1, 1936, Skipper Radner R. ("Rad") Pratsch and his daughter Carol were photographed standing near their yacht, the cutter "White Cloud," that they were entering in the annual July Santa Monica to Honolulu trans- Pacific sailboat race. The 35 foot vessel was Tacoma's only entry in the race and was one of the smallest, just over the minimum size limit. Mr. Pratsch was a veteran sailor and a Rear Commodore of the Yacht Club. He was also the owner of the Realart Theatre in South Tacoma. (T. Times 6/1/1936, pg. 1)
On Thursday July 30, 1936, hundreds of Tacomans watched the annual whaleboat race, put on by the sailors docked in Tacoma for Fleet Week. Thirteen-man crews from eight ships took part in the race, with the victory going to the men from the U.S.S. San Francisco. Led by coxswain Tommy Loughran, the men from the San Francisco completed the one mile course, begins at the Old Tacoma Dock and proceeds toward the City Waterway, in 9 minutes 55.5 seconds. Following time-worn custom, the coxswain of the winning crew was tossed overboard at the end of the race. (T. Times 7/31/1936, pg. 1 &3)
The rowing crew from the U.S.S San Francisco holds their oars aloft to signify victory in th 1936 Whaleboat races, a Fleet Week event. The crew was faster than the other 8 teams representing each of the eight other cruisers in Tacoma for fleet week. (T. Times 7/31/1936, pg. 1 & 3)
ca. 1937. Wrecked automobile off roadway in South Tacoma, circa 1937. Automobile is a 4-door sedan with round rear window and spoke wheels. Impact seems to have occurred on the driver's side as both the driver's door and rear door were heavily damaged. The accident has drawn a crowd of curious spectators, including children.
ca. 1937. Men from the Young Men's Business Club planning Air Circus scheduled for Sunday, June 13, 1937. It is a luncheon meeting and appears to be in a restaurant with blackboard in background listing last names and "Customers Only" sign. Announcement posters on wall. The three men seated in the center of the picture are, left to right, Al Oswald, YMBC aviation committee, Arthur Cook, secretary of the YMBC, and an unidentified man. (filed with Argentum)
Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma);
ca. 1937. Automobile accident at 4th and M Streets circa 1937. Man on right wearing suit and cap and holding booklet. Younger man on left wearing short sleeved ribbed shirt and felt hat and holding a folded sheet of paper. It is possible that they are exchanging information.
ca. 1937. Automobile accident in Gig Harbor. Mr. Whettmore. Five men standing on gravel road beside damaged two-door automobile in this circa 1937 photograph. They may be exchanging information. Other vehicles have pulled over on the left.
ca. 1937. U. S. Coast Guard ship 402 moored beside a wharf below the 11th Street Bridge. By June of 1937, the CG 402 had been permanently assigned to Tacoma. In peace time, they operated under the direct orders of the Treasury Department; but in wartime they answered to the secretary of the Navy. The 402 had been built on the Atlantic coast and during Prohibition, the speedy vessel had served as a rum chaser. The 402 was surplussed by the Navy in 1946 to the Boy Scouts. She is still in use, as of August 2001, as the Sea Scout Ship Charles N. Curtis #110. She is moored on the Thea Foss Waterway. (T. Times 6-3-1937, pg. 8-article).
Vessels; Government vessels; Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma;
ca. 1937. Automobile accident in South Tacoma, circa 1937. Highway lined with vehicles, including an Armour (meat products) truck, and telephone poles. Large group of people standing around wrecked automobile.
Planning committee for the YMBC "Air Circus," to be held June 13, 1937. The group meets around a luncheon table. Pictured, left to right, are unidentified, M.J. M'Caslin, chairman aviation committee, unidentified, James P. Lesher, President YMBC, Arthur Angove, past president YMBC. The Air Circus would draw over 50,000 spectators to Mueller-Harkins Airfield to view a variety of events including races, stunt flying and a parachute jump by Seattle's "Batman." (filed with Argentum under D768-11; also numbered D779-3)
Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma);
In June of 1937, the Coast Guard Patrol Boat #402 was assigned permanently to Tacoma's Harbor. Seven members of the crew posed on the deck of their ship. They are, front row left to right, Chief Boatswain's mate T.J. Firth- commanding, Chief Machinist's Mate Floyd L. Harmon, J.J. Pinton- Seaman First Class, A.E. Davis, Seaman 2nd Class and ship's cook. Back Row: Jacob Rockov, Fireman First Class, I. W. Tucker-Boatswain's mate, A.E. Godfrey- Machinists mate First Class. The CG 402 was built on the Atlantic Coast and had previously been a rum chaser during Prohibition. She was the fastest craft in Tacoma. (T. Times 6-3-1937, pg. 8).
Vessels; Government vessels; Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma;
Nearly 50,000 spectators watched as Tommy Thompson, the "Bat Man", attempted to soar over Mueller-Harkins airport on June 13, 1937 at the first Tacoma Air Circus. When he stepped from the plane that had carried him aloft, a gust of wind tore the canvas webbing that supported his wings, and spinning like a top, he plunged toward the earth. Luckily he was wearing two parachutes. Although the first became tangled in his wings, the second brought him safely to land - although one of his wings was bent. The air circus was sponsored by the Young Men's Business Club of Tacoma. (T. Times, TNT)
Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Young Men's Business Club (YMBC) airshow at Mueller-Harkins airport June 13, 1937. 25 planes took part in the first annual air circus with nearly 50,000 spectators cheering them on. Various small biplanes fly over the crowd. (T. Times, TNT)
Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Airplanes--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma);
Young Men's Business Club (YMBC) airshow at Mueller-Harkins airport June 13, 1937. 25 planes took part in the first annual air circus with nearly 50,000 spectators cheering them on. A photographer stands on the roof of the airport building above the reviewing stand. (T. Times, TNT.
Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Young Men's Business Club (YMBC) airshow at Mueller-Harkins airport June 13, 1937. 25 planes took part in the first annual air circus with nearly 50,000 spectators cheering them on. Tommy Thompson, the "Bat Man," waits beside an airplane with two men. His metal wings fold and have handles on the inside for manipulation. He is planning to jump out of the airplane and soar to the ground; a plan that was foiled by heavy winds that damaged his wings. He was saved by his second parachute. (T. Times, TNT).
Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Thompson, Tommy;
Young Men's Business Club (YMBC) airshow at Mueller-Harkins airport June 13, 1937. 25 planes took part in the first annual air circus with nearly 50,000 spectators cheering them on. A section of the crowd of 50,000 was photographed on the side of the airfield. Automobiles, airplanes and an ambulance were also parked along the side of the field. The show featured races, stunt flying and a jump by Seattle's own "Batman," Tommy Thompson. (T. Times, TNT)
Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Cropped version of D779-9, showing the uniform of Tommy Thompson, the "Bat Man", as he boards a plane June 13, 1937 at the first Tacoma Air Circus. He has metal wings and an outfit stitched into a sheet, to allow him to glide. He intends to jump out of this plane and glide to Earth. However, he narrowly avoided disaster when a gust of wind tore the canvas webbing that supported his wings as he stepped out of the plane in flight. He began to plunge to the ground. Luckily he was wearing two parachutes. Although the first became tangled in his wings, the second brought him safely to land - although one of his wings was bent. The air circus was sponsored by the Young Men's Business Club of Tacoma. (T. Times, TNT)
Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Thompson, Tommy;
Washington Navigation Company ferries. Automobiles waiting at the Point Defiance ferry landing in July of 1937. A ferry boat moored next to the landing bears the sign Fox Island - Gig Harbor. The slag pile of ASARCO is at the right middle and the entrance to Quartermaster harbor is near the top right. The slag pile created a breakwater for the Tacoma Yacht Club. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company. (Additional information provided by a reader)
Ferries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);
