The 62 foot Indra IV was designed by Roger W. McAleen of Alexandria, VA and built in Tacoma by the Western Boat Building Company, 2505 E. 11th Street. She was taken out on Puget Sound for sea trials in August of 1959. The steel hulled craft weighed less then 20 tons and carried over 1,500 square feet of sails. Her hollow aluminum main mast was 79 feet high. With teak wood decks and mahogany cabins, the boat could sleep a total of 12 crew and passengers and cost $100,000. (TNT 7/19/1959, pg B-2, 7/22/1959, pg. 1) TPL-10,543
Sailboats; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;
August, 1959 sea trials of the large sailboat "The Indra IV" built by Western Boat Building Co. for Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Benjamin of New Orleans. The craft weighed less than 20 tons and carried over 1500 square feet of sails. The masts were hollow aluminum poles, with the main mast 79 feet high. The boat took 10 months to construct and carried the latest in technological equipment including a depth finder, auto pilot, radio telephone and mobile telephone, as well as radar. (TNT 7/19/1959, PG. B-2; 7/22/1959, PG. 1)
Sailboats; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Interiors of the sailboat, the Indra IV, ordered by Edward Benjamin of New Orleans. The pilot house as photographed on August 12, 1959. The controls and navigation equipment for the boat are on the right, the radio equipment on the left. A wide window looks out over the front of the boat. For exterior shots, see D122376, Image # 14 & 21.The boat was built by Western Boat Building. The 62-foot sailing craft contained all the latest technological equipment, including a depth finder, auto pilot, mobile telephone, radio and radar. She was designed to be the ultimate in speed, comfort and ease of sailing. (TNT 7/191/1959, pg. B-2; 7/22/1959, pg. 1)
Sailboats; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Interiors of the sailboat, the Indra IV, ordered by Edward Benjamin of New Orleans. The cabin area. For exterior shots, see D122376, Image # 14 & 21.The boat was built by Western Boat Building. The cabins were of mahogany. The ship carried bunks for 12 passengers and crew, plus a spacious cabin. It also had a large salon. The craft was built to be both fast and luxurious. It was believed to be one of the fastest sailing yachts in the United States. (TNT 7/19/1959, pg. B-2; 7/22/1959, pg. 1)
Sailboats; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Scenes from boat launching. The tugboat Drew Foss is pictured here with its bow against the newly christened Albatross, a 144-foot coastal minesweeper. Small but powerful, the tug is apparently maneuvering the larger boat into position. March 26, 1960, saw the launching of the minesweeper MSC-289 from Tacoma Boat Building's Sitcum Waterway site. Named the Albatross, the sixth to bear this name, the vessel was sponsored by Mrs. S.A. Peters and later commissioned at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on April 20, 1961. It would spend the next ten years in the western Pacific seeing duty in the waters off of Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. The Albatross was decommissioned on April 1, 1970, and sold later that year to a Japanese firm for scrapping. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (TNT 3-27-60, p. B-2)
Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
The Brynn Foss tug gently guides the MSC-290 minesweeper, Gannet II, after its launching on May 26, 1960, at Tacoma Boat Building. It would be commissioned in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard a year later, on July 11, 1961, and eventually be sent to monitor the waters of Japan and Vietnam. The MSC-290 was the sixth of seven coastal mindsweepers built by Tacoma Boat Building under contract with the Navy. It was christened by Mrs. F.P. Luongo. (TNT 5-27-60, p. 3)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Launching of Boeing hydrofoil High Point. On August 17, 1962, the 110-foot submarine chaser High Point was launched at Martinac Shipbuilding. Boeing had started to adapt many of the systems used in jet airplanes for hydrofoils. The High Point was one of two hydrofoils launched in 1962; the Little Squirt, a 20-foot boat propelled by waterjet, was the other. Standing before the PCH-1 is the longtime president of Boeing, William M. Allen and spouse, J.S. Martinac of Martinac Shipbuilding, Vice Adm. Homer N. Wallin, USN (Ret) and spouse. Mrs. Allen, clutching a large bouquet of long stemmed roses, was the vessel's sponsor. The Patrol Craft Hydrofoil No. 1 was named for the city in North Carolina. (www.boeing.com/history; TNT 8-18-62, A-1)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hydroplanes--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Allen, William M.; Martinac, J.S.; Wallin, Homer N.;
Champagne explodes as Mrs. William M. Allen, wife of the Boeing president, formally christens the hydrofoil PCH-1, High Point, on August 17, 1962, at Martinac Shipbuilding. Naval dignitaries look on while a small girl holds Mrs. Allen's bouquet of roses. The High Point was the first wave of Boeing hydrofoils. It was a 110-foot submarine chaser that used four propellers. Foils would create lift raising the hull of the aluminum structure out of the water. (www.boeing.com/history, TNT 7-31-62, A-1)
Broadside view of Boeing's PCH-1 hydrofoil, High Point, at Martinac Shipbuilding. The High Point was launched on August 17, 1962, in the presence of Boeing longtime president William M. Allen. Realizing that water and air present similar challenges in control, stability, electronics, hydraulics and propulsion, the Boeing Co. began to use many of the systems found in jet airplanes, adapted, for hydrofoils. The High Point was the first launched in 1962 at Martinac Shipbuilding in Tacoma; it slid into City Waterway during high tide. (www.boeing.com/history; TNT 8-18-62, A-1)
Boaters on a small cabin cruiser lean to get a good view of the tug Hercules of Seattle as it assists a much larger oil rig ca. September, 1962. The vessels are already dockside. TPL-5808
The minesweeper MSC-298 was successfully launched at Tacoma Boat Building on the evening of September 14, 1962. The 145-foot minesweeper was the 26th of its kind built for the Navy by Tacoma Boat since 1951. The ship weighed 372 tons when fully outfitted and had a 27-foot beam. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co. (TNT 9-15-62, p. 3)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
ca. 1963. Tacoma at night. View of two ships docked at the City Waterway in 1963 with lights from downtown buildings making blurred reflections on the calm water. This was probably part of the 1963 Richards Studio stock file. TPL-2270
Ships--Tacoma; City Waterway (Tacoma); Reflections;
Broadside view of Navy minesweeper MSC 299 at Tacoma Boat Building on January 26, 1963. Vessel was launched at 4:30 that afternoon; champagne honors by Mrs. James B. Burrow. The 140' non-magnetic minesweeper was the second of a series of four being built for the Navy by Tacoma Boat Building. (TNT 1-27-63, A-2)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Two men stroll toward a parked Ford truck with two Fairliner cruisers on board. The Dudley Co., Auburn, Washington, truck appears ready to leave the Fairliner plant in late April, 1963. It cautions motorists that it is bearing a wide load. Fairliner was a division of Western Boat Building Co. Its pleasure boats were especially adaptable to this area's choppy waters. Fairliner, as the advertising signs noted, also was expanding into the home and commercial buildings market with the use of pre-engineered products. Photograph ordered by Novaco Co.
Boats--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);
A Fairliner employee examines plans while surrounded by a flotilla of boats in late April of 1963. The pleasure craft rest, not on the floor, but on wheeled carts for easier maneuvering. Fairliner was a division of Western Boat Building Co.
Boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);
The 53' purse seiner, Haida Maid, was launched at Western Boat Building on June 20, 1963. It was owned by Hydaburg Co-op of Alaska. Hydaburg was a Haida Indian tribal association which operated under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. View of the Haida Maid as it prepares to slide, stern first, down the ways. (TNT 6-21-63, p. 19)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);
The crew of the newly launched Haida Maid survey calm waters on June 20, 1963. The Haida Maid was a 53' purse seiner built by Western Boat Building for the Hydaburg Co-op, a Haida Indian tribal association which operated under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Mary Petrich, daughter of Western Boat Building vice-president James Petrich, christened the boat earlier that day. (TNT 6-21-63, p. 19)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);
Before a crowd of about 200, Tacoma Boat Building launched the YMS 244 on December 18, 1942. Later in the day, the company was presented with an "E Award" flag for excellence in the wartime production of minesweepers. More than 4,000 "E Pennants" were present to plants during WWII. They were a visible recognition of the patriotism and devotion of the company and its employees. (T. Times 12/19/1942, pg. 1)
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
December 18, 1942 was a very special day for Tacoma Boat Building. The company launched its newest minesweeper YMS 244 and received an Army/Navy "E" award flag. The "E" award was given for excellence in war production. The famous flag with the big "E" emblazoned on it became a badge of patriotism in action. The award consisted of a flag to be flown over the plant and a lapel pin for every employee within the plant. During the ceremony, an unidentified military officer makes a speech before a crowd of around 200. Music for the ceremony was supplied by the Coast Artillery Band.
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Following the launching of the YMS 244 on December 18, 1942, Capt. A. C. Thomas presented "E" pins to the employees of Tacoma Boat Building. The pins were in recognition of their excellence in the production of mine sweepers. Various foreman from the Company's yard posed with Captain Thomas for this photograph. Pictured are, back row left to right, Lawrence Teasley, Clarence Hopkins, Bill Kvam, Clarence White, George Rau, John Kvamme and Walter Oliver. Front row, John Flintoff, F.L. Criswell, Capt. Thomas and Hugh McCreadie. (T. Times 12/23/1942, pg. 16)
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
On December 18, 1942, Tacoma Boat Building received an "E Award" for excellence in wartime minesweeper production. One of several military men makes a speech at the ceremony. The sign board over speaker's box reads, "And if our lives should form and break; Because of things you fail to make; The extra tank or ship or plane; For which we waited all in vain; And the supplies that never came; Will you then come and take the blame; For we, not you, will pay the cost; Of battles you, not we, have lost!"
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
December 18, 1942 was a Red Letter Day for Tacoma Boatbuilding. The company, owned by Arne Strom and Haldor Dahl, received an "E" Award flag and launched a minesweeper, the YMS 244. The "E" Award was from the Army & Navy for excellence in the wartime production of mine sweepers. The shipyard was located at 2142 E. "D." Arne Strom was able to be present but Mr. Dahl was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester , Minn. and was unable to get there on time for the ceremony. (T. Times 12/19/1942, pg. 1)
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
This photograph is an overview of the ceremony on December 18, 1942 when the Tacoma Boat Building plant was presented with an "E Award" by the Army & Navy. The "E Award" was a production award, and the shipyard's was the first given for production of minesweepers. The award consisted of a "E" flag to fly over the plant and a pin for each employee. The company also took this opportunity to launch their newest minesweeper, the YMS 244.
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Minnie (Mrs. John) Flintoff smiled at the camera above her enormous bouquet of roses after sponsoring the launch of the minesweeper YMS 244 on December 18, 1942. Her husband John was the outfitting foreman at Tacoma Boat Building Co. She posed next to her daughter Dorothy. The Flintoff family resided at 1112 So. Oakes and included John Jr. and Bentley, who was serving with the US Air Corps. (T. Times 12/23/1942, pg. 16)
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Flintoff, Minnie; Flintoff, Dorothy; Flintoff, John--Family;
The Brynn Foss tugboat provides welcome assistance to the newly launched minesweeper MSI-14 on October 26, 1963. The ship was built by Tacoma Boat Building Co. and apparently launched at the Pacific Boat Yard. She was the second of a series of wooden-hulled, non-magnetic Navy minesweepers ordered from Tacoma Boat Building. The 110-foot craft carried a crew of 18. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co. (TNT 10-25-63, p. 28., TNT 10-27-63, A-8) TPL-9250
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Launching of military vessel MSI-14 on Saturday, October 26, 1963. Ship was built by Tacoma Boat Building and waits to be launched at Pacific Boat Yard, 759 Port of Tacoma Road. She was the second of series of wooden-hulled, non-magnetic minesweepers ordered by the Navy. Tacoma Boat Building would also build four other larger minesweepers. The ship's sponsor was Mrs. Mark C. Jewett of Washington D.C. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building. (TNT 10-25-63, p. 28, TNT 10-27-63, A-8)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Tacoma Boat Building launched the last of a series of four minesweepers, the MS 301, on April 11, 1964. The tugboat pictured above was probably a Foss tug; Foss tugboats were customarily used in the launching of minesweepers built for the Navy by local shipbuilders. The tugs were used to help escort the much larger ships. Here the tug bucked gusty winds to push the new non-magnetic, wood-and-aluminum minesweeper to her outfitting dock on Sitcom Waterway. The 175' long vessel had twin 500 hp diesel engines and cost over $2,000,000. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (TNT 4-13-64, p. 30)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Phil Seymour, a North End auto mechanic, built this cabin cruiser, "Sea-More", with friends in their idle moments over a period of nine months. Seymour finishes the project as he paints number 4212CGA on the side of the boat. Officially launched on April 24, 1943, she was used by the Coast Guard as an auxiliary during World War II. (T.Times 4/26/43 p.1.)
Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Seymour, Phil;
Phil Seymour, a North-end auto mechanic, built this cabin cruiser, "Sea-More", with friends in idle moments over a period of nine months outside his auto shop. Seymour hands a pair of slacks to a woman kneeling on top of the boat. His auto repair shop, Seymour's Big Six Garage, is shown in the background. (T.Times 4/26/43 p.1.)
Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950; Seymour, Phil; Seymour's Big Six Garage (Tacoma);
