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;

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 past meets up with the future in this December, 1952, photograph, as an antique automobile pauses to make a deposit at North Pacific Bank's new drive-up teller window. The two men are dressed appropriately for the brisk winter weather as they sit in the roofless vehicle. Another man standing outside the car assists in completing the banking transaction. The antique automobile has a plate attached to the grill indicating that it belongs to City Motor Co. and South Tacoma Motor Co. Photograph ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma--1950-1960; North Pacific Bank (Tacoma); South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);

An antique automobile makes way for a newer convertible in December, 1952, as both are making use of the new drive-up teller window at North Pacific Bank. It appears that its driver is releasing the hand brake in preparation to motor on. Plate attached to vehicle's grill indicates that it belongs to City Motor Co. and South Tacoma Motor Co. Photograph ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma--1950-1960; North Pacific Bank (Tacoma); South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);

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. 1953. Three cars are parked next to the Winthrop Hotel, 773 Broadway, in the fall of 1953. An ornate marquee extending over the sidewalk would help to protect exiting car occupants and passersby from inclement weather. The elegant hotel was built in 1925 with funds supplied by a local subscription drive. It was named after explorer and author Theodore Winthrop who helped popularize the Northwest. BU-12138

Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (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;

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.;

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);

In the early 1950s, Arden Farms took over the building at 824 Martin Luther King Jr. Way that had been the home of the Olympic Dairy Products Co. The large milk bottle on the roof made the building immediately identifiable. This photograph from February of 1953 shows four Arden Milk drivers standing proudly by their new Ford delivery trucks. The men are all dressed neatly in striped overalls, ties, and caps with the company's logo on them. Arden Farms was well known for their milk, "flavor fresh" ice cream, butter and cottage cheese. TPL-8203

Arden Farms Co. (Tacoma)--People; Ford trucks;

Each new Arden Milk truck is matched with its own driver on February 21, 1953. Arden Farms had just received four new refrigerated Ford trucks for use in delivering their milk and other dairy products. Arden drivers were neat in appearance with striped overalls, white shirts, ties and company caps. TPL-8083

Arden Farms Co. (Tacoma)--People; Ford trucks;

Scene of automobile accident for Allstate Insurance Company, J. A. Stein. Dirt shoulder of road with plain, vernacular-style houses in background. Predominate house on right has "For Sale" sign in window. Photograph was taken on March 21, 1953 for insurance purposes.

Traffic accidents; Houses--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);

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);

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);

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);

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);

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);

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);

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;

Twenty logging trucks, photograph ordered by International Harvester. The trucks are fueled by propane and owned by Cotten Brothers in Spanaway, Washington. International Harvester sold and serviced large trucks. Here the trucks are posed in front of a large propane tank.

Trucks--Spanaway--1950-1960; Cotten Bros. (Spanaway); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Ordered by International Harvester, a single logging truck. The truck is fueled by propane and owned by Cotten Brothers in Spanaway, Washington. The truck is posed in front of a large propane tank labelled "Propane, the modern motor fuel." The back portion of the truck where the logs are usually loaded has been unhooked and now sits on the bed of the truck. International Harvester sold and serviced large commercial trucks.

Trucks--Spanaway--1950-1960; Cotten Bros. (Spanaway); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The launching of three 63 foot Army Transportation Corps wooden patrol boats, the Q625, Q626 and Q627, by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Delayed by strikes at the Tacoma boat yards, the boats were launched almost three months later than projected. The vessels built for the Army under Navy supervision were sponsored by Mrs. Honor Schwesinger, Ione Kvamme and Mrs. H.T. Burk. (TNT 9/24/1953, pg. B-4 & 9/27/1953, pg. C-12_

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

The launching of three 63 foot Army Transportation Corps wooden patrol boats built by Tacoma Boatbuilding. These were the first craft to be launched by a Tacoma boat builder since the strikes beginning in July of 1953 incapacitated the yards. These vessels were built for the Army under Navy supervision and were originally scheduled to go into the water in early July. The three vessels were numbered Q625, Q626 and Q627. (TNT 9/24/1953, pg. B-4 & 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

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

Launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #97 by Tacoma Boatbuilding. A.M.S. #97 would be the last minesweeper to slide into the water as the company fulfilled its contract of five. All five vessels were in various states of completion with the first completed one to be delivered to the Navy in the fall. Mrs. Henry F. Agnew was the sponsor of #97 and Capt. J.R. Topper was the speaker. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #97 in 1953. The last Naval minesweeper would be sliding off the ways at Tacoma Boatbuilding as the fifth one was launched. Mrs. Henry F. Agnew, wife of the Commandant of the Tacoma Naval Station, was sponsor (holding bouquet of roses), Nicola Tollefson, daughter of the Mayor Harold Tollefson, was flower girl and Capt. J.R. Topper was the speaker. Arne Strom, in suit, owner of the company, was the master of ceremonies. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Strom, Arne; Agnew, Henry F.--Family;

Launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #97 by Tacoma Boatbuilding. AMS #97 was the fifth and last minesweeper to be launched by the company. The four previous vessels were in various states of completion with the first to be delivered to the Navy in the fall. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

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

White truck with special equipment in front of White Trucks offices. The White Company of Cleveland, Ohio began manufacturing large trucks in the 1900's. Frank Buchanan was president of the Tacoma White Trucks.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; White trucks; Tacoma White Trucks, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;