O.A. Tucker, general manager of the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, the Princess, and Captain J. L. McGuigan, U.S.N., inspect a "jeep carrier" (small aircraft carrier) under construction at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. McGuigan was the supervisor of shipbuilding and the official escort of the royal couple during the tour of the shipyard. As Governor-General of Canada, the Earl was also Commander-in-Chief of its military force. (T.Times, 5-4-43, p. 3, T.Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

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

The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada, his wife Princess Alice, and Captain J.L. McGuigan aboard escort carrier USS Pybus #29 under construction at Sea-Tac Shipyard. Capt. McGuigan was the supervisor of shipbuilding at the shipyards and the royal couple's official escort. Despite the cold and grime, the Princess insisted on going aboard the ship. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

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

Safety inspector Arthur McKee, Mayor Harry Cain, a woman worker and a Coast Guard policeman try to remove wet paint from pantleg of the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada, during visit to Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. The Governor-General was so enthralled in viewing the new escort aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Pybus, #29, that he brushed against a freshly painted yellow surface. It appears that everyone has sprung into action to alleviate this little mishap as the Earl gazes down on all the helping hands. Fresh paint also managed to marr HRH Princess Alice's hemline as well. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; McKee, Arthur; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone (L) and his entourage at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on May 4, 1943. Next to the Earl in the front row is Capt. J.L. McGuigan, supervisor of shipbuilding and official escort; he is to the left of HRH Princess Alice, wife of the Earl of Athlone. To the right of the Princess is Sea-Tac Assistant General Manager George F. Kachlein Jr. As Governor-General of Canada and its Commander-in-Chief, the Earl paid a visit to the shipyards to view escort aircraft carriers being constructed. He was accompanied on the tour by Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain and Governor Arthur Langlie. ALBUM 3.

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

With a determined look on her face, Mrs. C.E. Taylor takes a firm grip on the champagne bottle and breaks it against the new escort carrier, christening her the USS Sunset. The ship was launched July 15, 1943 at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. The vessel did not retain her original moniker however, as she was transferred in November of 1943 to the Royal Navy and commissioned as HMS Thane. The ship operated in the North Atlantic until she was torpedoed by a German U-boat in January of 1945. She was dismantled for scrap in 1946. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taylor, C.E.--Family;

On April 17, 1941, the 205th Coast Artillery anti-aircraft unit conducted a defense practice at the Sea-Tac shipyards. Pictured is a camouflaged communications post. The 205th Coast Artillery was stationed at Fort Lewis. It was non divisional, attached directly to the IX Corps of the Fourth Army. The Seattle-Tacoma shipyards were considered a vulnerable target in case of attack and therefore were chosen as the site of a mock raid. The 205th strung itself on the tideflats and the surrounding hillsides, defending the shipyard and other industries from air raids by the planes of the 116th. (T. Times 4/16/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); 205th Coast Artillery (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training;

In October of 1941, as the shift ends at the Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., a long line of automobiles winds its way down Alexander Ave. into the city. The roadway of Alexander Ave. was only 18 feet wide, creating a long line of traffic. Recent work had increased the roadbed to 36 feet in width. The shipyard currently employed 3,000 and would be adding an additional 5,000 jobs in the next few months. (T. Times 10/10/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1940. Bow view of freighter "Cape Flattery", second vessel launched by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. The Cape Flattery served as a troopship beginning in 1943. The vessel was scrapped in 1971. (Argentum)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

At Work portrait of Carl Brusberg of Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Shipbuilding Corporation. Mr. Brusberg was the electrical foreman at the shipyard. [Also dated 10-07-1941]

Brusberg, Carl; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People;

Launching of the Cape Alva at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. on August 1, 1940. Cape Alva of Tacoma was the name given to the first vessel launched at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. The ship was the largest Tacoma-built vessel since World War I and was the first of 5 merchant ships. She was built in near record time and launched four months after the keel was laid. The 416-foot motorship was named for the promontory of land which lies 20 miles south of Cape Flattery on the Washington seacoast. It is the site of the Ozette Indian Reservation. (T. Times 7/18/1940, pg. 1) TPL-8801

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Employees of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. pose proudly prior to the launch of their second vessel, the Cape Flattery. The Cape Flattery was the second of five contracted vessels. It was named after the location of the most northwestern United States lighthouse, where the Puget Sound joins the sea. Workers were understandably proud, the vessel was built in record time.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Launch of Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. Hull #3, the Cape Cleare. The launch was held November 29, 1940 and was not open to the public. The Cape Cleare was the 3rd of a quintet of 415 foot merchant motorships contracted by the U.S. Maritime Commission. All five would be identical cargo vessels with room for eight passengers plus a crew of 40, built at a cost of $2, 125,00 each. The ultra modern vessels were welded steel throughout. The keel for third vessel was laid August 7th and it was scheduled for completion late in February. The Cape Cleare was named after a prominent headland in Alaska. Mrs. William E. Boeing was the sponsor. TPL-1851 (T. Times 11/12/1940, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Federal Government began a major war bond drive on April 12, 1943 to raise $13 billion. Volunteer workers by the thousands set out throughout the United States to garner signatures and sell bonds, while newspapers and radios proclaimed from coast to coast: "Uncle Sam needs the money to help pay for the war." An unidentified woman worker at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., located on Tacoma's waterfront, is shown receiving a bond from a volunteer bond drive worker. [Also dated 04-12-1943] TPL-792

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;

Cape Flattery and Cape Alava, vessels 1 & 2 to be built at the new Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., pictured docked next to each other. The cargo motorships were the first two of the "C-1" type to be launched. Hull #3 would be launched in late November. The ships were 413 feet long, 5,000 gross tons and carried two 4,000 horsepower diesel engines, enabling them to reach a sea speed of 14 1/2 knots. The ship yard was the recent recipient of a number of vessel contracts and now employed 1200 men on two shifts.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Progress photograph of Hull #3 at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. The shipyard was commissioned to build a total of five merchant ships. Two, the Cape Flattery and Cape Alava, had already been launched. TPL-1854

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Large crane at the Seattle Tacoma shipyards. Their first launch, Cape Flattery, is in the background. The shipyard started in business with an order for five identical 415 foot cargo ships from the U.S. Maritime Commission. They would see their business quickly increase as America geared up for war. The company had one plant in Tacoma and one in Seattle.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Hundreds watched on August 1, 1940 as the Cape Alva slid down the ways at the Seattle- Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation plant in Tacoma. Originally known simply as Hull #1, the Cape Alva, a freight motorship, was the first vessel to be launched by the Sea-Tac Shipbuilding Co. at their Tacoma site. She was also Tacoma's first major motorship launching in 17 years. The cost of the big steel craft was $2,127,000. She was 416 feet long and 60 feet wide with two 4,000 Horsepower diesel engines and a single four bladed propeller. Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding was located at 100 Alexander Avenue on the site of the old Todd Shipyards. The Cape Alva was sold to a private concern in 1948 and scrapped in 1970. (T. Times 7/18/1940, pg. 1; 7/23/1940, pg. 2)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie (center) watches his wife Evelyn christen the ship Cape Fairweather, launch #4 for the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation on April 11, 1941. A bottle of champagne shatters against the boat's bow. The motorship Cape Fairweather was the fourth of the C-1 freighters built at the shipyards. The vessel went into the water nearly ready for trial trips. Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards was busy working on new ways and a new outfitting dock. The yard would be building 300' gasoline tankers for the Navy and keels for C-3 freighters. The Cape Fairweather remained in service until 1980, when it was scrapped. ALBUM 10. (TNT 4-11-41, p. 1)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Evelyn; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. This aerial photograph was taken at night as a test with new infra red film. In the brightly lighted area, work was going on 24 hours a day on warships contracted by the military, now heavily involved in World War II. (WSHS)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

E.E. "Ernie" Southwell, veteran shipwright leadman, had a lot of reasons to smile. He had the unusual distinction of being on the construction crews that built the yard in Tacoma in both World War I and II. On the front of his coveralls is his employment badge with his photograph and his employee number, 775. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. 1 No. 7, Pg 8, May 8, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Southwell, Ernie;

Shirley Phillips, who worked second shift in the Tool Room, was entered in the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Yard Queen contest in July of 1943. The crowning of the queen would be one of the events at the August 8th picnic sponsored by the yard's Athletic Club. The picnic would be held at Sutherland's resort at Five Mile Lake. Other picnic events included softball, tug of war, races and horseshoes, followed by entertainment and dancing. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 7; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Phillips, Shirley;

In July of 1943, an unidentified female employee at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. had one of the new white stars added to her helmet. In the star was a numeral representing how many relatives she had in the armed services. Relatives could be a husband, wife, mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandson or granddaughter. In the event that a relative was either killed in service or missing in action, a gold star would be added to the helmet. Workers were reminded each day of the personal reasons they had to give 100% in their defense work.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Helmets; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

Welder's Society Group at Sea-Tac Shipyard. Many people by large wooden building. (filed with Argentum)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Riggers Sea.-Tac. Shipbuilding Co. George Verge- Rigging Boss.The Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. opened in 1939 on the Tideflats at the site of the old Todd Shipyards. The company grew as America prepared for and entered the second World War. Shipbuilding became Tacoma's primary wartime industry.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

First Aid class at Sea-Tac Shipyard. Many people lined up outside wooden building. (filed with Argentum)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Progress picture of Hull #3, MC #121, at Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. The company was hard at work on five identical 415 foot cargo ships. Hull #3 would be launched November 29, 1940 as the Cape Cleare. The ship builders were also receiving military contracts and would soon be running operations around the clock.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co.; the first and third launches of the company are docked in the photograph. Cape Alava is in the foreground and Cape Cleare in the rear. The shipyard opened in 1939 at the site of the old Todd Shipyards, just in time to receive several lucrative wartime contracts. Todd Shipyards, of which the Seattle-Tacoma yard is a subsidiary, would soon be the biggest maritime company in the nation. STSC had over $200,000,000 in orders in January of 1941 and was planning the construction of four new yards.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

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);