Local Tacoma fishermen, Robert and Alfred Erickson, had a new 47 foot all steel tuna hull, built by Birchfield Boiler. Robert was married to Jean and lived at 3816 South Cushman Avenue; Alfred was married to Ragna and lived at 1221 Ridgewood Avenue. View of unidentified woman, possibly Jean or Ragna, christening the new tuna hull, Birchfield Boiler's plant and shops in background.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishermen--Tacoma; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Erickson--Family;

Tacoma Yacht Club was hosting the International Cruiser Race, a 150 mile race between Tacoma and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Yacht clubs throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada were participating in the big event. View of "Reverie" a beautiful sailboat owned by Dr. Govnor and Barbara Teats, the Teats will be participating in the big race with their two sons, George and Bruce (T.N.T., 7/11/48, p. D-1).

Sailboat racing--Tacoma; Sailboats--Tacoma; Yachts--Tacoma; International Cruiser Race (Tacoma); Teats, Govnor--Associated objects; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);

Shipping scenes at Port Piers, Studio Spec. Bob. Ships at Baker and Weyerhaeuser Docks at the foot of Division Avenue. Cargo ships are docked at the Baker Dock Company and Shaffer Terminal while buildings along the bluffs of Tacoma face outwards over Commencement Bay.

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steamboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; City Waterway (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baker Dock Co. (Tacoma); Weyerhaeuser Line (Tacoma); Shaffer Terminals, Inc. (Tacoma); Cityscapes;

Skansie's Shipbuilding Company had just built their first fishing boat in April of 1949. Skansie's had built other types of vessels in the past, including a ferry boat. View of Skansie fishing boat launching party; John Cosulich (right) and Mrs. John Cosulich (third from left) are the launching sponsors; other four people are not identified (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). According to a patron the individuals in the photo are John Cosulich on the far right, Dolores (Mrs. Tony Cosulich) third from left (not Mrs. John Cosulich), and Tony Cosulich, Dolores' husband, on the far left.

Fishing boats--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor; Launchings--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Skansie's Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Cosulich, John--Family;

Western Boat Building Company has just completed and launched the "Mary E. Petrich", the largest tuna clipper ever built. The new vessel is 149-1/2 feet long, has a 34 foot beam, 1,600 horsepower submarine type diesel engine, and cost about $500,000 to build. The tuna clipper was named after Martin Petrich's late wife; view of the "Mary E. Petrich" being led out by tugboats, shortly after being christened (T. Times, 3/16/49, p. 1). TPL-8988

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat Building had just completed the Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa for Captain O. E. Bertin and Cargueros Panamenos. The tuna clipper measured 104 feet and 8 inches by 26 feet and 6 inches by 14 feet. View of Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa, a diesel tuna clipper out on Tacoma's Commencement Bay (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1950). TPL-9017

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Joseph's was a beauty shop in Tacoma, it was located at 105 Tacoma Avenue North. Joseph's advertised the "Latest in Hair Fashions and New Techniques in Permanent Waving" Mr. Joseph (right) and Mr. Lloyd, two of Tacoma's leading hair stylists were traveling to Hollywood, California to attend the West Coast Style Show and to preview the latest fall fashions; they would be traveling on United airlines (T.N.T., 10/5/49, p. 9). TPL-9096

Airplanes--SeaTac; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Airplane propellers; Airports--SeaTac; Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac); United Airlines (SeaTac); Joseph's (Tacoma);

Interior view of boat, built by Tacoma Boat, showing the engine room. Included in the view are the diesel auxiliary engines, fresh water still, ammonia compressors with control panel and distribution headers, synchronizing switchboard, power panel and motor starters topped off with a 600 h.p. heavy duty diesel propulsion engine. Tacoma Boat announced their 16-year record in February 1948 as: 104 new commercial vessels of wood and steel; and, 1,073 commercial vessels rebuilt, modernized, converted or repaired. TPL-9023

Boat engines; Control rooms--Tacoma; Engine rooms--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Kelly Furniture Company built their store building in 1924 with a warehouse added in 1940, they were located at 5428 South Tacoma Way and were owned by L. Q. Kelly and Robert D. Kelly. Kelly's advertised Hotpoint appliances, Simmons Beautyrest mattresses, Sealy mattresses, Zenith radios and many other items. View of Kelly Furniture Company employees standing in front of their new delivery truck. The two gentlemen in the dark suits are (from left to right) Robert D. Kelly and Laurence Q. Kelly, owners of the company. The gentleman in the white coverall to the right of Laurence Kelly is James Gunther, Laurence's brother-in -law. Additional information provided by patron.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Kelly Furniture Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Copies of a customer's prints, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Actual date of photographs is unknown. Two men observe a wooden structure that might be the housing for the landing gear on the all wood plane.

Plywood; Airplanes; Airplane industry;

ca. 1956. A boy and girl erect a sail on a small childsize sailboat prior to taking it out on a summer day for a leisurely sail. Both children wear a life vest. The boy handles the sail while the girl loads an oar, in case the wind does not cooperate. Photograph ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The sailboat, named the "Pipsqueak," is 5 feet long, 33" wide and 15" deep; it weighs less than 50 pounds. It is designed for children ages 6-10 to sail alone in an enclosed area with adult supervision. Supervision was neccessary because a stiff wind would quickly carry the boat out to deeper water. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B-10) TPL-9510

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

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;

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;

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);

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.;

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. 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);

A 55 foot truck from Elliott Bay Lumber Co. being loaded with a fork lift at Cavanaugh Lumber Co., wholesalers of lumber.

Building materials industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cavanaugh Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

US Air Force pilot poses in front of his jet airplane, most probably at McChord Air Force Base. The pilot is wearing a flight helmet with the breathing apparatus pulled away from his face. Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune.

Airplanes; Fighter planes--U.S. Air Force; Military air pilots--Air Force;

Q-630 was one of three Q-boats launched on April 20, 1954. The 63 foot Q-boats were built for the Army under Navy supervision. The ships were expected to be delivered at Rio Vista, California, in May or June, 1954. The sponsor of Q-630 was Mrs. Vincent J. Genn, wife of the machinery superintendent at Tacoma Boat Building. LTC John Fredin was the principal speaker at the launching. View of participants posed in front of vessel; several women are holding large bouquets of roses. (TNT 4-18-54, B-10)

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

Service Hardware & Implement Co.; well drilling equipment and trucks. Merlin W. and LeRoy Gunarson were the owners. Puyallup Ave. bridge over Puyallup River in the background. Railroad cars behind building. Northwest Mechanical Contractors Inc., 1431 Puyallup Ave., and sewage treatment plant, 1241 Cleveland Way, beyond the bridge.

Service Hardware & Implement Co. (Tacoma); Wells--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;

The platform is set up for the ceremonies attending the launch of the M.S.A. #491 (U.S.S. Persistent) at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. The ship poised on the ways rises above the bunting draped speakers' platform. Capt. Vernon B. Cole will be the principal speaker at the launch. Mrs. Dorothy Erdahl will be the sponsor and Sharon McCoy will be the flower girl. The Persistent is the eighth of nine 171 foot minesweepers to be launched by Martinac. Four of the ships have already been delivered. The keel of the Persistent was laid in June of 1954. (TNT 4/17/1955, pg. B-7)

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

Exterior of bulk feed truck, labelled Larro Feeds, at General Mills, on Schuster Parkway near 6th. The truck was manufactured by White trucks. General Mills, Sperry Division, grain elevators can be seen in the background. The White truck will be loaded with grain that will then be delivered to area farmers for feeding their livestock.

General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); White trucks--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain elevators--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A fleet of International Harvester trucks are parked side-by-side at the Holroyd Co.'s plant on South Washington Street on October 21, 1955. Several of the trucks have cement mixers aboard. These heavy duty trucks were necessary to transport oversized items and carry large, weight-bearing loads for industrial clients. Photograph ordered by International Harvester.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; International Harvester Co. (Tacoma); Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Concrete products industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of A.M.S.(motor minesweeper) #113 at Tacoma Boat Building Company for the Navy. View of the rear of the ship draped with an American flag. "Brynn Foss" tugboat on left side. Several men on deck. Mount Rainier and tideflats in background. The keel of the vessel was laid Oct. 19, 1951 and the completed minesweeper was scheduled to be delivered in early 1953. It was the first of five to be built by the firm. (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);

Traffic accident, corner of North 27th and Lawrence, involving Medosweet delivery truck. People gather around the wrecked truck which carries sign "Hoppy's Favorite Milk," depicting movie hero Hopalong Cassidy. View of neighborhood and other milk trucks. Photograph taken on July 28, 1952.

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1950-1960; Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;