Keel laying ceremonies. This is the view overlooking the keel of the new steel sampan being built for Angel Fishing Co., Ltd., by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corporation. The ship, later christened the "Anela," was built on a specially designed shallow-draft square keel to protect the rudder and single screw from potential damage of sharp coral reefs. The keel was placed in the cradle in which the ship will be built. It ran in the middle of the ship, from her bow to stern, and formed the spine of the ship. The keel was laid on June 19, 1971 and launching scheduled for November 25th. Upon completion, the ship would be delivered to her owners for fishing out of Honolulu. However, work on the sampan progressed so rapidly that the launching was actually accomplished ahead of time on October 18, 1971, with members of the Shinsato family present. See D160872, images 2 & A for launching photographs. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-18-71, p. 9- article and photo of launching)

Sampans--Tacoma; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Keel laying ceremonies. In lieu of smashing a bottle of champagne, Japanese sake is gently poured over the keel of a new steel sampan being built at Martinolich Shipbuilding facilities on Alexander Ave. The family of Jack Shinsato, Honolulu owners, do the honors on June 19, 1971. The sampan will be 100-feet X 25-feet and when completed in December, will be used for fishing in Hawaiian waters. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp.

Sampans--Tacoma; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Shinsato, Jack--Family;

Launching. The tuna seiner, "Denise Marie," was successfully launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities on June 5, 1971. She was the second of four steel 225-foot seiners built by the firm; the first was named after the company founder, A.K. Strom. The "Denise Marie" would be ready for sea trials in July with delivery planned for July 30th to her San Diego owners. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 6-6-71, A-12) TPL-9532

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

Launching. The "Denise Marie," giant 225-foot steel tuna seiner, slipped gracefully down the ways into Hylebos Waterway on Saturday evening, June 5, 1971. She was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding and had a frozen tuna capacity of about 1,400 tons. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 6-6-71, A-12 - article) TPL-9533

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

Launching. Mrs. Joseph Silveira of San Diego, sister-in-law of the captain, was the sponsor of the new tuna seiner, the "Denise Marie," which was successfully launched on June 5, 1971. Built by Tacoma Boatbuilding and powered by a General Electric locomotive type diesel, the big 225-foot fishing boat would have a frozen fish capacity of nearly 1,400 tons. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (Marine Digest, June 5, 1971, p. 34) TPL-9534

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

Launching. The 225-foot tuna seiner, "A.K. Strom," was launched at 8:30 a.m. on March 20, 1971, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities with Mrs. Floyd Burgi as the ship's sponsor. The ship is named after Tacoma Boatbuilding founder Arne K. Strom and was the first vessel named for the Strom family. Built at a total cost of over $2,000,000, she was the first of four identical boats expected to be completed this year by the shipyard. The "A.K. Strom" was capable of carying 1,425 tons of frozen tuna. After extensive ship trials, the seiner arrived in San Diego over Memorial Day weekend. Captained by David Rico and a crew of 16, she would fish for Star-Kist Foods, Inc. while based in Puerto Rico. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (Marine Digest - June 5, 1971; TNT 3-21-71, B-3; TNT 3-19-71, A-5-article ) TPL-9531

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

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);

Aquarius. The fishing boat, "Aquarius," is pictured undergoing sea trials on February 20, 1971. She was built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. and launched on December 5, 1970. The 184-foot tuna seiner had a frozen fish capacity of 850-tons. She was owned by Joseph and Richard Madruga of San Diego. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9460

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

Ship trials. Color photograph of the fishing vessel, "Aquarius," undergoing sea trials on February 20, 1971. Waves churn as the big Martinac-built boat cuts briskly through the waters of Puget Sound. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9477

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

An FH110 helicopter practices landing on a temporary helipad on January 19, 1971, at So. 19th & "J" Sts. The pad is marked with an enormous "H." St. Joseph's Medical Evaluation personnel may have been testing the feasibility of this temporary site. The church in the background is believed to be St. John Baptist Church. Photograph ordered by St. Joseph Hospital.

Helicopters--Tacoma--1970-1980;

The St. Joseph Medical Evaluation team prepares to board the waiting FH110 helicopter on January 19, 1971. A temporary helipad, marked with an enormous "H," has been laid on muddy ground. A white ambulance with hatch open is parked nearby. Photograph ordered by St. Joseph Hospital.

Helicopters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ambulances--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. It took only 10 minutes to destroy 11 years of craftsmanship. Architect Silas E. Nelsen and his son, Silas Jr., spent 11 years building this cedar-hulled, teak finished sailing vessel in a shed behind the architect's office on Center St. Fire destroyed both the shed and the boat on April 4, 1970. The remains of the sailboat were sold to Wesley Robert Hatton for one dollar; Hatton then hauled the hulk to Bayshore Marina property on the Ruston Way waterfront. There she became an odd "landmark" with a "Bayshore Coffee Shop" sign hanging from her prow. The marina's new owner, Virgil Hohman, wanted to get rid of the charred boat but the owner's whereabouts were unknown. The building partially obscured by the boat is believed to be the Bayshore Boat Lockers which was located at 4013 Ruston Way. That address is now the location of the restaurant, Lobster Shop South, which was built in 1981. (TNT 11-8-74, B-7 article on boat)

Sailboats--Tacoma;

ca. 1971. Internal view of the "A.K. Strom." This is the engine room of the 225-foot steel tuna seiner, the "A.K. Strom," which had been launched on March 20, 1971. According to "Marine Digest," the main propulsion is a GE model 7 FDM16, 16 cylinder, 4-cycle non-reversing supercharged diesel. The "A.K. Strom" is the fastest vessel of her size in the U.S. fishing fleet as she has a loaded speed of over 15 knots. Photograph ordered by General Electric, Erie, PA. (Marine Digest, June 5, 1971) TPL-9537

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

ca. 1971. The "Eileen M" slices through the smooth waters of Commencement Bay during sea trials. The "Eileen M," 225-foot steel tuna seiner, underwent extensive sea trials before her October, 1971, delivery to her San Diego owners. She had been launched on August 21, 1971, by Tacoma Boatbuilding.

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

ca. 1971. Fishing boat, "A.K. Strom," perhaps undergoing sea trials in the late spring of 1971. After completion of trials, the giant 225-foot tuna seiner was destined for delivery to San Diego. The "A.K. Strom" was the first of four identical ships expected to be completed by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. Color photograph ordered by General Electric, Erie, PA.

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

ca. 1971. Engine room of tuna seiner, "A.K. Strom." The steel 225-foot fishing boat was driven by a 3,100 hp diesel engine. She could carry a maximum of 1400 tons of tuna at 16 knots. The General Electric main propulsion engine was the first G.E. diesel ever used in a marine installation. The "A.K. Strom" was launched on March 20, 1971 at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. She would be delivered to her owners in San Diego over Memorial Day weekend. Photograph ordered by General Electric, Erie, PA. (Marine Digest, June 5, 1971; TNT 3-19-71, A-5 article) TPL-9536

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

Launching. The tuna clipper, "Aquarius," was launched in official ceremonies on Saturday, December 5, 1970, at Martinac Shipbuilding facilities. The above photograph, with decorative bunting, was taken before she slipped down the ways into the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. The 184-foot tuna seiner was owned by brothers Joseph and Richard Madruga of San Diego. They operated a tuna fleet for Van Camp Sea Foods. The ship was powered by a 3600 hp diesel engine and had a frozen fish capacity of 850 tons. She had a 35-foot beam. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 12-7-70, p. 36 - article)

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

Sponsor at launching. The 184-foot fishing vessel, "Aquarius," was launched on December 5, 1970. She was built by Martinac Shipbuilding who had built the "Conquest" for the couple to the left, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Madruga, two years before. The other couple in the photograph is believed to be the Richard Madrugas, co-owners of the tuna seiner. The Madruga brothers operated a tuna fleet for Van Camp Sea Foods. The new ship carried a crew of 16 and had an 850-ton frozen fish capacity. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 12-7-70, p. 36 - article) TPL-9530

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

Launching. If you think this fishing boat looks larger than normal, you are correct. This is the "Apollo;" at 258-feet long with a 44-foot beam, it was the world's largest tuna clipper in 1970. The $3,000,000 boat was under construction at Tacoma Boatbuilding for one year. Tacoma Boatbuilding had built 12 out of the 25 tuna boats built locally in the last eight years. The "Apollo" was launched on Saturday, October 24, 1970, at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Hylebos plant. She was the largest boat built by the firm and would remain in Tacoma until December of 1970 for final outfitting and acceptance trials. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (TNT 10-23-70, p. 11- article; TNT 10-25-70, B-9) TPL-9528

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

Launching. A beaming Mrs. Manuel Cintas, wife of one of the newly launched "Apollo" owners, poses with the traditional spray of beribboned red roses on October 24, 1970. She was the ship's sponsor and had the honor of christening the tuna clipper before the vessel slipped stern-first into the Hylebos Waterway. The "Apollo," built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, was the world's largest tuna boat in 1970. It took a year to construct the 258-foot vessel. The "Apollo" had a capacity of 2000 tons of frozen tuna, 600 tons more than her largest competitor. The "Charley the Tuna" cartoon sign on the viewing stand was there as an advertisement for Star-Kist, whose Puerto Rican cannery would accept the frozen tuna. The ship's owners were Ocean Blazers, Inc., of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 10-23-70, p. 11- article; TNT 10-25-70, B-9) TPL-9529

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

Launching party. The 258-foot tuna boat, "Apollo," was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities on the Hylebos Waterway on Saturday, October 24, 1970. She was the world's largest tuna clipper and the largest boat built by Tacoma Boatbuilding. The launching drew an interested crowd, including feature speaker, Congressman Floyd Hicks. Posed dockside are members of the launching party, with Mrs. Manuel Cintas, holding bouquet of red roses, as the ship's sponsor. Owners of the "Apollo" are Ocean Blazers, Inc. of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 10-23-70, p. 11- article; TNT 10-25-70, B-9)

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

Milwaukee Road operations, Kent. The Milwaukee Road had opened their Kent Auto Marshaling area in late 1969. This is believed to be a view of a portion of the complex, including three buildings, and many parked cars and trucks. Photograph ordered by the Convoy Co., Portland.

Automobiles--Kent; Shipping--Kent;

Heavy duty machine at B&F Manufacturing, 11602 Pacific Hwy. S.W., Lakewood. It operates on an endless chain-track drive system and has two small blades. Photograph ordered by Travellers Insurance Co.

Tracklaying vehicles--Lakewood;

An interested crowd gathers at the Kent Auto Marshaling complex on August 17, 1970, to see the Vert-A-Pak bulk compact carrier in action. It appears to be a unique way to transport new automobiles. Present in the group is C.E. Crippen, president of the Milwaukee Road, whose organization developed the automobile unloading center. The new vehicle boxcars system is limited at the moment to compact cars only, due to size requirements. The system was devised in joint planning by the Milwaukee Road and General Motors. Color photograph ordered by the Milwaukee Road. (TNT 8-23-70, A-19)

Automobiles--Kent; Shipping--Kent;

C.E. Crippen, president of the Milwaukee Road, was present at the viewing of the Vert-A-Pak, a 30-car bulk compact carrier, on August 17, 1970 at the Kent Auto Marshaling area. He may have been one of the those examining the careful packaging of new automobiles. The old method of transporting automobiles was to move them in freight cars on 2-3 levels which were capable of holding 8-15 automobiles depending on size. The new Vert-A-Pak is limited at present to carrying only compact cars due to size requirements. The Milwaukee Road and Union Pacific had opened this multi-million dollar automobile unloading complex 10 months ago. Photograph ordered by the Milwaukee Road. (TNT 8-23-70, A-19) TPL-7937

Automobiles--Kent; Shipping--Kent;

Colorful row of new automobiles packed in the Vert-A-Pak bulk compact carrier. A unique way of transporting new vehicles was employed at the Kent Auto Marshaling complex run by the Milwaukee Road Union Pacific. The multi-million dollar facility had just opened in October of 1969. Cars would be shipped into the complex in these new vehicle boxcars and then dispersed using the conveniently placed freeway. This demonstration was put into actual practice with cars being transported from Chicago to Kent. Vert-A-Pak could carry 30 cars in a vertical position. Color photograph ordered by the Milwaukee Road. (TNT 8-23-70, A-19)

Automobiles--Kent; Shipping--Kent;

Ship trials. The tugboat "Sioux" chugs powerfully through the waves as she undergoes sea trials on June 29, 1970. Launched at Martinac Shipbuilding on June 13th along with sister tug, "Seneca," she would be used to haul barges to the oil fields of Alaska's Prudhoe Bay. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp.

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

Launching. The Tacoma Class Gunboat PG-100 (formerly PGM-100) was launched in ceremonies occurring at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. at 4:45 p.m. on June 19, 1970. She would be commissioned the "USS Douglas" in February of 1971. The gunboat had a displacement of 250-ton and was 165-feet in length. She had a speed of 40k and was equipped with two gun mounts and two twin .50-cal machine guns. Only 6 1/2 years after she was commissioned, she was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register. The "Douglas" was converted to a research vessel and renamed the R/V "Lauren." Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (www.navsource.org/achives; TNT 6-19-70, p. 7 - article)

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

Launching party. Posed before the patron gunboat PG-100 (formerly PGM-100) are the dignitaries involved in the launching ceremony on June 19, 1970. Clutching the traditional bouquet of beribboned red roses is Mrs. Willard F. Searle, Jr., of Alexandria, Virginia, the ship's sponsor who had the honor of christening the ship with a bottle of champagne. The "USS Douglas" was named after the city of Douglas, Arizona. Also in the photograph is believed to be Rear Adm. W.F. Petrovic, commander of the Puget Sound Naval Station. The gunboat was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., the last in a series of 12 aluminum gunboats built for the US Navy by that firm. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (TNT 6-19-70, p. 7- article)

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

Oceangoing tugs " Seneca" and "Sioux" were christened at Martinac Shipbuilding facilities on June 13, 1970. View of the "Seneca" in foreground with glimpse of the "Sioux" at left. Both tugs will be based in Seattle but will be utilized in hauling barges to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska. The "Seneca" is already sea-worthy but the "Sioux" still needs outfitting. Photograph ordered by Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-14-70, A-4)

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