The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, the Princess, Mayor Harry Cain and others in the party during visit to the Sea-Tac Shipyard. The group is aboard the U.S.S. Pybus, #29, under construction at the shipyard. It was one of several escort aircraft carriers being built by Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. Pictured left to right are an unidentified man, Sea-Tac General Manager O.A. Tucker, the Earl of Athlone, Capt. J.L. McGuigan, Mrs. Harold Swan, Princess Alice, two unidentified women, Lady-in-Waiting Vera Grenfell and Mayor Harry Cain. Also known to be in the travelling party were Capt. Allen Leveson-Gower, aide de camp, British consul Harold Swan and Sir Shuldham Redfern, secretary to the Earl. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grenfell, Vera; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Princess Alice is highly amused by the combined efforts of Arthur McKee, safety inspector at the Sea-Tac Shipyard, and Capt. J.L. McGuigan to remove wet paint from the royal hemline during her visit to Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard. The Princess and her husband were so interested in viewing vital war operations that they brushed against fresh yellow paint. The Earl thought that he would leave the paint alone in remembrance of his trip to Tacoma but the Princess gladly accepted the aid of McKee and McGuigan to remove the stain. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; McKee, Arthur; McGuigan, J.L.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

While taking a much needed coffee break on June 30, 1943, new dad Carl Murray received a stack of baby presents from his fellow workers at the Seattle Tacoma Shipyards. An electrician in Shop A, Murray is surrounded by four office force employees: (in no particular order) Irene Flemish, Meletta Reed, Juanita Huston and Edith Askew. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 8; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Murray, Carl; Flemish, Irene; Reed, Meletta; Huston, Juanita; Askew, Edith; Gifts; Fathers;

Looking a little bewildered, but none the less pleased, new Poppa Carl Murray, first shift electrician at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. in June of 1943, was covered with pert, beribboned packages containing all those cute little things that new babies need. Cluing in the novice Dad are office force employees (in no particular order) Irene Flemish, Meletta Reed, Juanita Huston and Edith Askew. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 8; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Murray, Carl; Fathers; Gifts; Flemish, Irene; Reed, Meletta; Huston, Juanita; Askew, Edith;

War workers came in all ages, shapes and sizes, their only common trait being that they were not qualified for active military duty. For example, Frank Mason, Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard's Chief Marine Engineer in 1943, was 70 years old. He had been a Chief for 50 years, 21 of them with Luckenbach Steamship Lines. He first steamed around Cape Horn in 1892 and had been through the Panama Canal so many times that it seemed commonplace. Patriotism kept him at his job in wartime, when he might have retired in peacetime. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 8; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Mason, Frank;

In July of 1943, Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard "Civilian Navy Inspectors," also known as technical engineers, were photographed during a lunch break. This group was only a portion of the 37 inspectors who were responsible for checking and testing the shipyard's workmanship and equipment. The inspectors could be identified by their red, white and blue helmets. All were members of the Technical Engineers Union, A.F.L., and most had prior experience at the Puget Sound Navy yard in Bremerton. Onto their capable shoulders fell the task of constantly observing the shipbuilding process from the laying of the hull to the finished product and painstakingly testing each little part to make sure that the Sea-Tac ships reached the boys in the service in perfect working order. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.II No.II, Pg 4-5, July 24, 1943 issue) TPL-3304

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

In July of 1943, Al Riviere and Frank Bujan lit up an after-meal cigarette while working at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard, ignoring the giant warning painted on the building behind them. The two Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. employees were not trying to burn down the plant, they were posing for a series of photographs published in the company's newspaper. "The Keel" carried an article that month on what NOT to do to prevent fires. The company was waging war against fire, one of the most formidable foes of the war effort. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.II No.II, Pg 3 July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Riviere, Al; Bujan, Frank; Smoking; Cigarettes;

In July of 1943, the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. had a brand new $14,000 fire truck, the latest in fire fighting equipment. But even this fine new truck couldn't fly over obstacles on the way to fight a fire. A series of pictures showing what NOT to do in fire prevention highlighted an article on this topic in the company newspaper, the Keel. This photo served as a reminder to keep passages clear. A fire could get out of control in the time that it took to remove obstacles. Fire, according to the Keel, was "Home Front Enemy #1." (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.II No.II, Pg 3 July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--1940-1950; Fire prevention;

This cluttered staircase was featured in an article about fire prevention in the July 24, 1943 issue of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard newspaper, the Keel. The pictures were of things workers should NOT do in the interest of fire prevention. The paper warned of flash fires, if clutter like this were ignited and warned workers to dispose of all trash. TPL-3522 (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.II No.II, Pg 3 July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fire prevention;

Smilin' William (Bill) Mikesell came to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards from Montana about 18 months before this July 14, 1943 portrait. Although employed as a second shift welder on the ways, his heart was with his art work. He had been dabbling in oils since 1933 and had sold several of his paintings pre-war despite the fact that he had never had any art instruction. He found numerous subjects to paint at the shipyard and several of his paintings were hung in the welders' shack on Way No. 5. After the war, he planned to retire with his earnings and return to his brushes and paint. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 8; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Mikesell, William;

Delegation looking at model of Sea-Tac Shipyards during visit of Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States. Lord and Lady Halifax spent an hour touring the big steel shipyard on July 22, 1943. The Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards were builders of aircraft carriers for use in the war. O.A. Tucker, general manager of the shipyards, is standing next to Lady Halifax who is wearing a dark jacket over a flowered skirt. Lord Halifax is standing slightly behind her, next to a man believed to be Earle Bennett, training director, who is showing the shipyard's model buildings and vessels. This was the second visit from British royalty in two months; in May the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada, and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, toured the facility and inspected aircraft carriers under construction. (TNT 7-22-43, p. 1) TPL-1959 ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Tucker, O.A.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, Dorothy, Lady Halifax, US Naval Officers and others aboard escort carrier under construction at Sea-Tac Shipyards. Lord Halifax is standing next to O.A. Tucker, general manager of the shipyard. The ambassador's party spent an hour touring the facility. Lord Halifax praised highly American labor which is building hundreds of fighting ships. (T.Times, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Tucker, O.A.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Dorothy, Lady Halifax, wearing an enormous orchid corsage, is photographed speaking to U.S. Naval officers on July 22, 1943. Lord and Lady Halifax were taking an extensive tour of the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards to view escort aircraft carriers under construction. Lord Halifax was the British ambassador to the United States. His main purpose on the short one-day visit to Tacoma was to accept an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from the College of Puget Sound; however, he also wanted to tour the shipyards. Lady Halifax was the former Dorothy Evelyn Augusta Onslow before she married Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 3rd Viscount Halifax, and later Earl of Halifax. (TNT 7-22-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Halifax, Dorothy Evelyn Augusta Onslow Wood; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

British ambassador to the United States, Lord Halifax, strides alongside U.S. Naval officers onto the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on July 22, 1943. The Governor-General of Canada and its Commander-in-Chief, the Earl of Athlone, had previously paid a visit to the shipyards only two months before the ambassador's tour. ALBUM 3

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States and Lady Halifax are greeted by U.S. Naval Officers and others at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Accompanying the couple was Lt. Richard Wood, their son, seated in his wheelchair near the automobile. Lt. Wood, later Baron Holderness of Bishop Wilton, had earlier lost both legs in North African desert fighting. Lord Halifax's main purpose in visiting Tacoma was to accept an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from the College of Puget Sound but he also chose to tour the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards to see escort carriers being built. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Wood, Richard Frederick; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, son Lt. Richard Wood, and others on elevator aboard escort carrier under advanced construction at Sea-Tac Shipyards. A sign in large lettering painted on the ship warns of the dangers of propellers. Members of the United States Navy and British Navy were among those accompanying the Ambassador on his visit to the shipyards. He was able to make a quick inspection of a carrier under construction and then ride the plane elevator down from the flight deck. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Wood, Richard Frederick; Nobility--England; Signs (Notices); Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lt. Richard Wood, youngest son of Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, and others aboard escort carrier under construction at Sea-Tac Shipyards. Soldier to the far right is Sgt. Hall, orderly to Lt. Wood, and also a veteran of the North African campaign. Lt. Wood lost both legs at the battle of El Alamein in Egypt, where his older brother was killed. An unexploded bomb from Stuka dive bombers destroyed his legs; however, Lt. Wood (later Baron Holderness of Bishop Wilton) took pleasure in pointing out his survival was due to the mis-assembly of the bomb by anti-Nazi Czech munition workers. He later wrote a biography of his mother and spent 29 years as Tory Member of Parliament for Bridlington. Richard Frederick Wood, politician, businessman and disablement activist, died on August 11, 2002, at the age of 81. (The Guardian, 8-17-02). ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Wood, Richard Frederick; Nobility--England; Signs (Notices); Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, and his entourage toured the facilities of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on July 22, 1943. In town to accept an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from fellow Oxford alumnus R. Franklin Thompson of the College of Puget Sound, Lord Halifax managed to squeeze in several other stops, including an inspection of escort aircraft carriers under construction at the shipyards. View of crowded deck and military officers from both the British and American navies as well as company officials. Soldier in wheelchair was the third and youngest son of Lord Halifax, Lt. Richard Wood, who had both legs amputated due to war injuries. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Wood, Richard Frederick; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Dorothy, Lady Halifax, wife of the British Ambassador to the United States, receives a corsage from women workers at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Joan Evangelist, shipfitter's helper originally from Michigan, had the honor of pinning the large orchid corsage on Lady Halifax. Standing by Joan Evangelist are Ann Tryggestad, burner's helper, and Alma Sayers, welder trainee. The woman in black in the background is believed to be Mrs. Harold Swan, wife of the British consul in Seattle. She was to receive a gardenia corsage pinned on her by Betty Jensen, pipefitter. Lord and Lady Halifax, along with their son and their entourage, visited the shipyard to inspect escort aircraft carriers under wartime construction. (TNT 7-22-43, p. 2, TNT 7-23-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of--Family; Nobility--England; Evangelist, Joan; Tryggestad, Ann; Sayers, Alma; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lt. Richard Wood, third and youngest son of Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, and others in open automobile at Sea-Tac Shipyards. Lord and Lady Halifax, their son, and entourage had paid a visit to the shipyards to inspect escort aircraft carriers in stages of construction. Lt. Wood is seated in the passenger's front; soldier in rear is a Sgt. Hall, his orderly and fellow North African campaign veteran. Lt. Wood was able to tour the shipyards seated in an aluminum-like wheelchair. Both of his legs were amputated above the knee due to war injuries. Later, after adjusting to artificial legs, he returned to the United States to encourage other wounded servicemen. Remaining an advocate for the disabled war-wounded, he spent 29 years as a Member of Parliament, Tory party, before retiring in 1979 and assuming the title of Baron Holderness of Bishop Wilton. (The Guardian, 8-17-02) ALBUM 3.

Wood, Richard Frederick; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States and Lady Halifax are greeted by US and British Naval officers and others at Sea-Tac Shipyards. The tall and lanky ambassador extends his hand as he is welcomed on an inspection tour of escort aircraft carriers being built by the shipyard. His entourage included his son, Lt. Richard Wood and British consul in Seattle, Harold Swan and wife. Acting Mayor C. Val Fawcett escorted the group to the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Acting Mayor C. Val Fawcett had the honor of escorting Lady Halifax, wife of the British ambassador to the United States, and two companions on a tour of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards in July, 1943. Dorothy, Lady Halifax, is looking downwards, dressed in white hat and dark jacket. Next to her is believed to be Mrs. Harold Swan, wife of the British consul in Seattle. The ambassador, his son Lt. Richard Wood, and other dignitaries rode in three other vehicles. For some reason, this picture appears to have been flipped with the steering wheel on the right hand side. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of--Family; Nobility--England; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British ambassador to the United States, appears engrossed in conversation with naval and Seattle-Tacoma shipyard officials during a tour of escort aircraft carriers currently under construction. The ambassador, his wife and son, and entourage were escorted to the shipyard by TPD motorcycle officers in vehicles driven by Tacoma police. After a one-hour tour of the facility, the ambassadorial party journeyed on to the College of Puget Sound where Lord Halifax received a honorary Doctorate of Laws degree. After luncheon on the campus and a visit to the British American War Relief Center, Lord Halifax received a police escort to the Boeing aircraft plant where he was able to view the construction of the Boeing Flying Fortresses. (TNT 7-23-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lt. Richard Wood accompanied his parents, Lord and Lady Halifax, when they visited the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on July 22, 1943 during their visit to Tacoma. Lord Halifax (at left) was the British Ambassador to the United States. Lt. Wood, shaking the hand of 19 year old Al Sturtevant, lost both his legs at the Battle of El Alamein in Egypt, where his older brother was killed. He had enlisted as a private in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry before enrolling in Sandhurst and being commissioned in the King's Royal Rifle Corp. After loosing his legs, he toured the United States to counsel and encourage other wounded veterans. He went on to serve 29 years in the House of Commons, and was named Baron Holderness of Bishop Wilton in 1979. Always a champion of the war-disabled, he died August 11, 2002 at the age of 81. Shipyard employee Al Sturtevant had also been wounded in the North Africa campaign. He had a medical discharge due to a hip injury received in action. (The Guardian, 8-17-02; Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, August 7, 1943 issue). ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of--Family; Wood, Richard Frederick; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Sturtevant, Al;

Pretty Marmie Osborn was chosen by the employees of the Engineering Department at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard to represent the 1st shift Files in the August 1943 "All Yard Queen" contest. The winner would be crowned at the shipyard's picnic at the Sutherland Resort at Five Mile Lake. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg.6; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Osborn, Marmie;

Bright eyed, curly topped Irene Flemish was selected by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard 1st shift electricians to be their candidate for 1943 "All Yard Queen." She posed for the Richards photographer with her name neatly monogrammed on her collar above her employment badge. The Queen would be crowned at the August company picnic. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg.6; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Flemish, Irene;

Lois Tusler was chosen by her fellow employees in the Blueprint Dept. to be their candidate for "All Yard Queen" at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard picnic in August of 1943 at Sutherland's Resort, Five Mile Lake. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg.6; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Tusler, Lois;

Peggy Sparks was the choice of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard 2nd shift Shipwrights to wear the crown of "All Yard Queen." The winner would be crowned at the August 1943 company picnic. Miss Sparks posed for a photograph during her workday. Her employment badge, with photo, was attached to her lapel. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg.6; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Sparks, Peggy;

As a shipyard worker during World War II, superior attendance at work was part of your patriotic duty. As the "Sea-Tac Keel's" Civilian War Creed stated "Wasting precious working hours is sinful in war time." Rigger Outfitting Foreman Art Bagley, pictured, had only lost 1 1/2 days in the 3 and one half years he had worked at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard. Preferring to be in the great outdoors, before coming to Sea-Tac Mr. Bagley had worked as a logger, longshoreman and pile driver. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg. 8; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Bagley, Art;

Beginning in the late 1930's, as war contracts sped up the pace of industry in the Puget Sound, workers were drawn to the area, seeking the abundant jobs in the well-paying defense industry. The Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. employed over 33,000 workers in its Tacoma yard. Some, like Larry Miller, came for a visit and stayed to work throughout the war. Mr. Miller came around 1941 from Spokane to visit his sister and brother-in-law and stayed to work as a painter at the shipyard. He had previously been a bridge painter. By 1943, he was painter leadman on the second shift and had been awarded the "L" symbol on his helmet. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg. 8; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Miller, Larry;