Launching of A.M.S. (motor mine sweeper) #113 at Tacoma Boat Building Company for the Navy. Ship sliding down the ways into the water as it leaves building. The AMS 113 was the first Navy minesweeper to be launched in Tacoma since WWII. Tacoma was rapidly becoming a major center of Naval boat building in our nation's rearmament effort. Tacoma firms held a total of $20 million dollars in Naval contracts. (T. Reporter 7/22/1952, pg. 2 & 7/8/1952, pg. 8)

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

The rear of the hull of the USS Endurance (AMS 435) as they prepare for launching at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The Endurance was the first of four 171 foot minesweepers constructed by Martinac for the Navy. Martinac was also the first firm on the Pacific coast to be designated by the Navy as a "qualified laminator." The frames for the minesweepers were laminated in their branch office on Baker dock and then barged up City waterway to the plant for placement in the new boats. (TNT 2-10-1952, pg. B-6, T. Reporter 8/11/1952, pg 2)

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

Launching of "Southern Pacific" at J.M. Martinac. The 123 foot tuna clipper was built for Lu Brito (skipper) along with John Silva. She had a capacity of 270 tons and a crew of 15. She was equipped with a 800-hp Enterprise engine, two 150-hp 120 kw GM generating sets, one 60 kw GM generating set for auxiliaries at a cost of $400,000. She was also equipped with Sperry automatic power steering and an automatic pilot; Tacoma Range Company electric range; a Coolidge propeller, TCA radio, Intervox direction finder and a Submarine Signal fathometer. Additionally she was seaplane equipped. (Ledger, 11/4/1951; Marine Digest, 12/22/1951) TPL-9055

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

A boat, with only the deck visible, is docked and seemingly deserted on a foggy day in late 1951. A few tools lay abandoned and the scales and winches are empty. There is a possibility that this vessel is a former surplus Navy steam tug purchased from Foss Launch & Tug Co. by Western Boat Building to be converted into a refrigerated salmon tender and tuna fishing boat. Western Boat Building had purchased two former Navy vessels in the summer of 1951 with plans to spend approximately $500,000 to convert them for fishing purposes. (TNT 7-22-51, B-2)

Boats; Decks (Ships); Hammers; Equipment; Scales;

Ferry boats. The "Defiance" steamer on the Sound. Island in background. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

Ferryboats for Mr. Peterson. The ferry "Vashonia" in front, with two other ferries docked behind in this late January, 1940, photograph.

Ferries--1940-1950;

The launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer 408, the U. S. S. Wilson, took place April 12, 1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton. At 90% complete, the vessel was 341-feet-long with 1725 tons displacement. It carried a complement of 9 officers and 175 men. It was commissioned July 5, 1939 and received eleven battle stars for service in World War II. After sustaining damage during the war, it was selected as a target during the atom bomb test at Bikini Atoll in July of 1946. It was decommissioned in August of 1946 but remained afloat and was finally scuttled off Kwajelein in March of 1948. (T. Times, 4/13/39, p.20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer #408, the U. S. S. Wilson, on April 12, 1939. The ship was decorated with pennants and bunting and photographed at dock in the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton. Ship launchings at the Navy yard differed from those at Tacoma Shipyards. The craft was built in a construction dock which was flooded for launching, much like a bathtub. The launching consisted of the gates being opened and the boat towed out into the Sound. The destroyer under construction in the background was almost entirely submerged during the ceremony. (T. Times 4/13/1939, p. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Coast Guard off Old Town Dock in Commencement Bay with five fire barges during a May 7, 1943 drill with the city's Fireboat #1. The fire barges are displaying streams of water used to extinguish marine fires. The three larger barges could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. The two smaller vessels in the center were designed for fighting fires under docks. They could pump 600 gallons a minute. (T.Times, 5/8/1943, pg. 3; 5/10/43, p.14.)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

On May 7, 1943, five Coast Guard fire fighting barges took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock, showing their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. Also participating in the drill was Tacoma's Fireboat #1. The three larger barges can be seen in the background with the two smaller ones, designed to fight fires under docks, in the center. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1, as well as five Coast Guard fire fighting barges, took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The group was showing their ability to effectively stamp out waterfront fires. They were also calling attention to the clean up drive along the front sponsored by the Waterfront Defense Committee. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

On May 7, 1943, five fire barges from the Coast Guard took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The drill was intended to show their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. The three larger barges are pictured. They could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Tacoma's Fireboat #1, with several streams of water shooting into the air, demonstrates its ability to defend the waterfront from fire during a May 7, 1943 drill. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Group of 60 Tacoma Boat Maintenance workers. The deck is crowded with workers from Tacoma Boat together with their families.

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. The 65-foot tugboat with a 16-foot beam was one of two tugs launched at McNeil Island on June 17, 1943, under a revived shipbuilding program. The tugs were built of Douglas fir except for the stem, sternposts and trim. They ran on Diesel engines. The ships were built using prison labor and there was much anticipation of the launchings by the 100 guests from the mainland plus the proud builders. No ships locally had been built by prisoners since 1907 when Capt. Neil Henley of Steilacoom directed that last construction. Capt. Henley had founded the shipbuilding industry at McNeil prison in 1883. With America now entered into WWII, the necessity of more ships resulted in the revival of the shipbuilding program. T-88 and T-89 were the second and third built for the Army Transport Service by McNeil with the first ship turned over to the Army in November of 1942. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island;

Coverage of twin launchings at McNeil Island. On June 17, 1943 Mrs. H.W. Algeo served as sponsor of one of the two tugboats launched at McNeil Island. Mrs. L. Delmore, Jr., was the other sponsor. Mrs. Algeo is pictured above in the act of christening the boat with a firm smash against her prow. It was reported that both she and Mrs. Delmore were drenched by the exploding champagne bottles. KMO radio broadcast the event as a twin launching was rare and launchings of any sort of prisoner-built vessels even rarer. As the United States was now at war, a revival of using prison labor in boat construction had commenced. 1907 had been the last time locally that a ship was built by inmates. The two tugs would become the second and third built under the revived shipbuilding program at McNeil. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Algeo, H.W.--Family;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. James V. Bennett (second from left), Seattle Mayor William F. Devin (second from right) and Warden P.J. Squier of McNeil Island (far right) were identified in this group of men who were attending the twin launching of tugboats for the U.S. Army Transport Service on June 17, 1943. The tugs were built with prison labor during a revival of the shipbuilding industry on McNeil, and were highly praised by military and civilian officials. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1,3- various photographs)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Bennett, James V.; Devin, William F.; Squier, P.J.;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. Mrs. L. Delmore, Jr., smashed a bottle of champagne against the prow of one of the two tugs launched at McNeil Island on June 17, 1943 during the tradition of christening the vessel. Since she did so before the tug slid down the ways, the force of the bottle exploding drenched her from head to toe. The tug was to be turned over to the Army transport service. She was built with labor from McNeil Island inmates. (T. Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Delmore, L.--Family;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. Two sister tugs, T-88 and T-89, slid down the ways on Thursday, June 17, 1943 to loud cheering from spectators. The two ships launched were the second and third under the revived shipbuilding program during WWII. Both of them were to be turned over to the Army. Present at the event were prison officials and honored guests: (from left) master of ceremonies A.F. Lykke, James V. Bennett, Richard McGee, LTC D.M. Jacques of the Army Transport Corp, Seattle Mayor William F. Devin and Warden P.J. Squier of McNeil Island Penitentiary. The point was heavily emphasized that both vessels were built by McNeil Island prisoners. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Lykke, A.F.; Bennett, James V.; McGee, Richard; Jacques, D.M.; Devin, William F.; Squier, P.J.;

Tacoma Boat YMS 298 leaving. A side view of the mine sweeper with U.S. flag waving. Two men on the fore dock, five aft.

Ships--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Boat (Mann). US Army Transport Corps LT 214. This side view shows three men along the railing of the upper deck and someone looking out of the helm. TPL-6389

U.S. Army Transportation Corps; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Galley area of fishing boat, bunks on left

Galleys (Ship kitchens); Fishing boats--1940-1950;

Fishing boat galley w/wood stove, sink and food storage

Galleys (Ship kitchens); Stoves; Fishing boats--1940-1950;

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);

The Donna Foss, a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, steadily tows the much larger ex-military transport, the "Republic" vessel on a cloudy spring day in 1952. The Agnes Foss is at the "Republic's'' stern. The Wedell Foss, not seen, is also aiding in the tow. All boats will be eventually passing under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Donna and Agnes Foss tugboats will be towing the "Republic" to the Panama Canal where it will then be towed to the East Coast for scrapping. Foss Launch & Tug had its beginnings as a rowboat rental business started by Thea and Andrew Foss in the late 1890's. They later expanded to include motorized launches and tugboats and in 1920, changed the company name to Foss Launch & Tug Co. Even after the deaths of its founders, the company continued to expand its business to include Alaska and California. In 1986, a further name change occurred and Foss Launch became Foss Maritime Co. to better reflect the diversified nature of its maritime services. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 422, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;

On March 18, 1952, the "Republic," an ex-German military transport, was photographed as it passed directly under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. It was being towed by a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, the Donna Foss. To the transport's stern were additional Foss tugboats, the Agnes Foss and the Wedell Foss. The "Republic" was at the start of a long voyage; from its storage in Olympia, it was being towed to the Panama Canal by tugboat and then onto the East Coast where it was scrapped. The trip was expected to take 40 days. The 20,000 ton "Republic" was built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1907 and used as a German transport in WWI. Captured by the Allied Forces, it then also served in WWII. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 422, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

The nighttime launching of "Memories" built by Peterson Boat Building Company. "Memories" is in the water, accompanied by another fishing vessel "Nancy Rose," on April 21, 1950. "Memories," a 57-foot purse seiner, could handle a crew of nine. She was to set sail May 25, 1950, on her first fishing voyage. (TNT, 4/25/1950)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The "Golden Glow" fishing vessel built by Peterson Boat Building Company. Boat moving through water with crew aboard in February of 1951.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

The "Golden Glow" fishing vessel built by Peterson Boat Building Company. Close view of boat moving through water with crew aboard. Photograph was taken on February 12, 1951.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Woman holding bouquet of roses and champagne bottle. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;