ca. 1937. Ferry strike showing automobiles at slip. Small trucks and automobiles line the road to the ferry dock. (T. Times).

Ferries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Ferry strike showing automobiles lined-up at slip and ferry at end of the dock for the Point Defiance ferry to Vashon Island. (T.Times).

Ferries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1953. Launching of naval ship #445, named the U.S.S. Force, the fourth of a series of nine 171 ft. minesweepers to be built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. Mrs. Thomas D. Wilson, wife of the Commander of the Bremerton Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, was sponsor, assisted by Judith K. Ross as flower girl. M.S. Erdahl served as the master of ceremonies and Rear Admiral Charles D. Wheelock, inspector general for the Navy's bureau of ships, was the principal speaker. Other Naval dignitaries included Rear Admiral H.E. Haven, Commandant of the Puget Sound Naval shipyard, Capt. Linton Herndon, supervisor of shipbuilding Seattle, and Comdr. Lawrence MacKinlay, resident supervisor of shipbuilding Tacoma. The launching was followed by a reception and dinner at the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 6/21/1953, pg. B-2, 6/27/1953, pg. 1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Ross, Judith K.;

ca. 1953. Launching of naval ship #445, the U.S.S. Force, with the skyline of downtown Tacoma in the background. The all wood craft was the fourth of nine contracted 171 foot Naval minesweepers to be built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. Mrs. Thomas D. Wilson, wife of a Navy Captain, served as sponsor and christened the ship with the ceremonial champagne. The band from the U.S.S. Essex played "Anchors Aweigh" as the ship slid down the ways. (TNT 6/21/1953, pg. B-2 & 6/27/1953, pg. 1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. Ferry strike showing automobiles at slip. Small trucks and automobiles line the road to the ferry dock. (T. Times).

Ferries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A woman perches jauntily aboard an 18-foot plywood cruiser streaming out of Adams Marina on May 12, 1953. Three other wood cruisers follow along while several others remain at the dock as the Steilacoom Ferry prepares to depart. Plywood had many uses other than in home and business construction. Because it was light, inexpensive, strong and durable, it was known as the "Jack-of-all trades" in the building industry. A plywood boat won the President's Cup on the Potomac River prior to WW II and Norman Nevills proved that a plywood boat could emerge victorious from a 600 mile journey through the raging Colorado River. Boating was a popular activity in the 1950's, as it is now, and with the advent of plywood boats, more people could enjoy the sport without incurring tremendous expense. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Cour: The Plywood Age, p. 115) TPL-8699

Boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Three 18-foot plywood cruisers zip along Adams Marina in mid-May, 1953. Plywood was proving to be a very versatile product. It could be used not only in home construction, storage bins and linings for railroad cars but also in boats. Light and inexpensive exterior plywood with proven durability was used in boat building; the plywood was made waterproof and used waterproof glues. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Cour: The Plywood Age, p. 115-119)

Boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Boat Building Company, 132 Sitcum Waterway, launched two 57-foot minesweepers within minutes of each other on May 15, 1953, Armed Forces Day. The MSB-16 was sponsored by Carmen P. Smith of Seattle and the MSB-17 was sponsored by Mrs. E.A. Watson of Tacoma. MSB grade minesweeping boats did not receive names, they were referred to by their hull number. The Tacoma Boat Building Company received major contracts with the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard for over 40 years, building minesweepers, gunboats, and cutters. (TNT 5-17-53, B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Two 57-foot minesweepers are side-by-side shortly after being launched on May 15, 1953. Built by Tacoma Boat Building under a Navy contract, the vessels were launched minutes apart. The MSB-17 is accompanied by the tug, Drew Foss, while the MSB-16 is escorted by the Peter Foss. Tacoma Boat Building also was awarded contracts to build several 144-foot mindsweepers during the early 1950's. (TNT 5-17-53, B-7) TPL-9620

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Overhead view of boats. A Foss tugboat, wearing its ever present logo "Always Ready", is stationed next to other vessels in the Sitcum Waterway on May 15, 1953. Foss tugs were used in the launching of minesweepers built for the Navy by local boat building companies. This Foss boat was used that evening to help escort two 57-foot minesweepers built by Tacoma Boat Building and launched within minutes of one another. Appropriately, the launchings occurred just prior to Armed Forces Day which was celebrated heavily in the Puget Sound region. (TNT 5-17-53, B-7)

Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Children perched high on a ladder get a good bird's eye view on May 15, 1953, of the launching of two vessels built by the Tacoma Boat Building Co. for the Navy. They, and the large group of spectators, listen intently to a guest speaker at the podium. The two 57-foot minesweepers, MSB-16 and MSB-17, were launched within minutes of each other. (TNT 5-17-53, B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

A large group of spectators await the launching of the A.M.S. #96 on May 1, 1953. Television cameras capture the moment for posterity; it was the first launching televised in this area. Dignitaries on the platform, which would have included Mrs. Marvin H. Glunz, sponsor, and the attentive crowd listen to a naval speaker. This may have been Capt. Christian H. Duborg, who was listed as principal speaker of the event. The A.M.S. #96 was a 144-foot mindsweeper built by Tacoma Boat Building for the Navy. It was the fourth of five being constructed by the firm who had been awarded a Navy contract. (TNT 5-3-53, B-10)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Shadows darken the interior of Tacoma Boat Building as dim figures of spectators stand and gaze upon the A.M.S. #96 afloat in the distance. The 144-foot mindsweeper was the fourth of five being built by Tacoma Boat Building. The ship had just been launched the late afternoon of May 1, 1953. The launching was captured on television; it was the first launching to be televised in the area. (TNT 5-3-53, B-10)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

ca. 1953. Three unidentified men examine a boat engine while aboard a wooden vessel under construction in this circa 1953 photograph.

Boat engines; Boat & ship industry--1950-1960;

AMS #118 prepares to be launched on April 14, 1953. The minesweeper was built by Pacific Boat Building Co. Several boat building firms in Tacoma had received contracts to build minesweepers for the Navy, including Pacific Boat Building and J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. AMS #436, the USS Energy, had been launched just two months before by Martinac. The 118 was the third of the 144 foot minesweepers built locally. Mrs. Charles M. Bevis sponsored the AMS #118; Rear Admiral Arthur D. Ayrault, USN (Ret.) was the principal speaker. (TNT 4-15-53, p. 6)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Tony Hull's children at beach. Young boy straining to row a boat across the water. Long wharf in background.

Vessels - Boats - Row Boats

A small stage, decorated in red, white and blue bunting, was constructed to be used in the February, 1953, launching of the USS Energy, #436, built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. Martinac had landed the contract to build a series of 171-foot mindsweepers for the Navy; this is the second completed after the USS Endurance the previous year. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding.(TNT 2-1-53, B-2, TNT 2-14-53, p. 1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Stages (Platforms);

A group of six men, two women and a little girl pose in front of the recently constructed USS Energy in preparation for its official launching on February 13, 1953. Four of the men are wearing naval uniforms; one woman is holding a large bouquet of roses. She may be the sponsor, Mrs. Alice McDonald Baughman of Seattle. Captain Clyde Jensen of the Bremerton Navy Yard was to give the principal address. The ship was built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, and was to be launched from the Bayview Shipyard. (TNT 2-1-53, B-2, TNT 2-14-53, p. 1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Fireboat on Puget Sound. Artistic view of four men watching a firefighter demonstrate the maneuverability of a large water jet mounted on the fireboat. Tideflat industry in the background.

Vessels - Boats - Fireboats - Tacoma

Fireboat on Puget Sound. Artistic view of five men on upper level of boat by waterjets.

Vessels - Boats - Fireboats - Tacoma

Fireboat on Puget Sound. Firefighters spray water from equipment mounted on the stern of the fireboat.

Vessels - Boats - Fireboats - Tacoma

Fireboat on Puget Sound. Four men ride on the railing of the fireboat.

Vessels - Boats - Fireboats - Tacoma

Dignitaries gather for a group portriat prior to the launching of the AMS 115, a 144-foot minesweeper, at Tacoma Boat Building Company. Owners of Tacoma Boat, Arne Strom and Harold Dahl are seen near the right. The sponsor, Winifred (Mrs. Melvin M.) Larsen, secretary to Charles Bevis, Tacoma Boat's manager, is holding a bouquet of roses. Captain Chester J. Chastek, state director of the selective service addressed those attending the launching. Others on the program were Lt. Cmdr. S.E. Anderson, chaplain of the Sand Point Naval Air station, Arne Strom and Capt. Linton Herndon, Navy supervisor of shipbuilding in the Tacoma area. (TNT, 10/5/1952, p.B-3)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Larsen, Winifred; Dahl, Haldor; Strom, Arne;

The AMS 115 was the second 144 foot minesweeper to be built at Tacoma Boat Building Company in 1952. AMS 113 was launched in July 1952. The 115 is seen here as she was launched at the boatyard.

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Winifred (Mrs. Melvin M.) Larsen is proudly displaying the commemorative silver platter she received as sponsor at the launching of the AMS minesweeper #115 built by Tacoma Boat Building Company. The tray had an engraving of the vessel and an inscription telling of the occasion. Navy rules permitted a woman only one Navy vessel sponsorship. This was Winnie's second time "at bat", however, since she had been sponsor of and christened the tuna clipper Saratoga in 1951. (TNT, 10/12/1952, p.B-8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Larsen, Winifred;

The MSB #15 was one of two minesweepers launched at Tacoma Boat Building Company in September 1952. The MSBs were 57-foot minesweepers. Tacoma Boat would build five of the craft. (TNT, 9/21/1952, p.B-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

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)

Boat racing; Rowboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowing races--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowers;

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)

Boat racing; Rowboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowing races--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowers;

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)

Sailboats; Sailboat racing; Yachts; Pratsch, Radner R.; Pratsch, Carol;

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)

Sailboats; Sailboat racing; Yachts; Pratsch, Radner R.--Associated objects;