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);

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;

One of the most difficult aspects of the defense industry was finding enough skilled workers to fill the large number of positions available when the wartime factories ran 24 hours a day. The Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. solved this problem by operating its own in house training center. In this center, W.W. Mallery, shipfitter instructor, illustrated a point on the blackboard in July of 1943 for the benefit of his class. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg. 4; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Blackboards; Classrooms;

On August 11, 1943, the Treasury Department's mobile Victory House pulled into the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard. It was accompanied by two charming hostesses, center. The purpose of the entertainment center was to acquaint workers with the national program of War Bond sales as it related to the war effort; however, the message was cloaked in a vaudeville program, made up from the best of Ft. Lewis talent. The Victory House trailer itself was pulled by a red, white and blue truck and was equipped with a stage, PA system, microphones, mixing panel and even a mammoth Hammond organ. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, NO. III, pg. 3; August 7, 1943 issue)

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

On December 7, 1943, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. was awarded the prestigious "E" Award for excellence in production. At the center of the photo, in overcoat and hat, is O.A. Tucker, vice president and General Manager of the yard. As part of the ceremony, employees were presented with a memorial "E" pin. This is possibly a ceremony connected with the presentation of those pins. The Tacoma yard was being recognized for cutting more than a million man hours from the amount needed to produce an escort carrier. Tacoma built flattops and their escorts were famous as submarine destroyers. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. XII, pg. 3; December 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Awards;

A Seattle-Tacoma shipyard employee, dressed in work overalls and hatless, makes a heartfelt speech during the December 7, 1943 presentation of the Army-Navy "E" Award flag and employee pins. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. XII, pg. 3; December 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Awards;

In April of 1943, the Treasury T flag was presented to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma yard. Karl Richards, of the Washington war savings staff, made a speech to thousands of workers at the ceremony. "Remember this flag represents a prosperous peace and our future happiness. Keep it flying." The "minuteman" flag was presented to defense companies where 90 % of the employees pledged at least 10% of their salaries to the purchase of war bonds. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1, No.7; May 8, 1943, pg. 2)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); War bonds & funds; Awards; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

Peter DeBriyn (DeBriejn in the City Directory) was a man of "Firsts." He was the first burner at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard. He was the first to pass the arc welder's test and had never been late or absent in the 40 months since he had begun work at Sea-Tac. The first shift burner foreman had a personal interest in keeping the ships sliding down the ways, his son had recently enlisted in the Navy the day he turned 17. Pete and his wife Edna lived at 413 So. 32nd. (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; DeBriejn, Peter;

Governor Arthur Langlie, center, and the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of Princess Alice, with Army and Naval Officers in 1923 Lincoln touring car at Sea-Tac Shipyards. Alexander, the 1st Earl of Athlone, was the brother of Queen Mary of England and the husband of HRH Princess Alice, daughter of HRH Leopard, son of Queen Victoria. He is seated in the rear seat, between Sea-Tac General Manager O.A. Tucker and Capt. J.L. McGuigan, USN, and has a prominent mustache. The visit to the shipyard was scheduled to last 30 minutes and, due to the interest of the royal couple, extended an hour beyond that. The tour included this unscheduled drive along Pier 4 and the ways to inspect a carrier at Dock 3. ALBUM 3. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1 No.7, May 8, 1943, pg. 3)

Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander of Teck, Earl of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Governor Arthur Langlie, center, and the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, with Army and Naval Officers in a 1923 Lincoln at Sea-Tac Shipyards. The Earl is seated in the last row between Sea-Tac General Manager O.A. Tucker and an American naval officer believed to be Capt. J. L. McGuigan, supervisor of shipbuilding and official escort. The royal couple was in Tacoma to view the escort aircraft carriers currently being built at the shipyards. (T.Times 5-4-43, p. 3, T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, during visit to the Sea-Tac Shipyard on May 4, 1943. As Governor-General of Canada, he was also its Commander-in-Chief. He and his wife paid an official visit to the shipyards to view the escort aircraft carriers being built. He got a first-hand examination of the U.S.S. Pybus, #29, and stood on its deck. 69 at the time of this photograph, the Earl of Athlone had extensive military training and experience. He had strong ties to British royalty as he was married to a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and was the brother of Queen Mary. He passed away on January 16, 1957, at Kensington Palace, the site of his birth 83 years earlier. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

This birds eye progress shot was taken on August 20, 1940 of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co.'s hull #3, the MC 121. Hull #3 would be launched November 29, 1940 as the Cape Cleare. It was one of five 415 foot merchant motorships. The shipyard would cash in on the coming war effort and be awarded many military contracts. The yard was soon running shifts around the clock. TPL-1855

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 vessel was launched near the end of November of 1940 as the Cape Cleare. It was part of the shipyard's first contract for five 415 foot cargo ships. TPL-1852

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

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;

Electricians, Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., Carl Brusberg- Foreman, July 10, 1940. A group of workers in hard hats poses in front of one of the buildings at the shipyard. Lettering over one door reads "electricians" or "electrical." One of the two men is suits is possibly foreman Brusberg. As war loomed, STSC became one of Tacoma's largest employers. TPL-2348

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

On March 17, 1941, William F. Porter (center), a member of the Boilermakers' union employed at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard, bought five tickets from Donna Mae Jaden for a fund raising concert being given in Tacoma. The "On to Spokane" concert was being given to raise money to send Tacoma school musicians to the National Music Educators conference being held in Spokane at the end of the month. Oscar Williams (left) was chairman of the Young Men's Business Club committee sponsoring the concert. Donna Jaden, a member of the Stadium H.S. Girl's Glee Club, became the movie actress Janis Paige. (T. Times 3/19/1941 p.13)

Actresses; Paige, Janis; Jaden, Donna Mae; Porter, William F.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Williams, Oscar;

American Red Cross publicity. Pledge Board at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. TPL-1961

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Photograph taken for the U.S. Maritime Commission of Hull # M.C. 121- C 1 B Cargo. The hull, numbered locally as Hull #3 and launched in November 1940 as the Cape Cleare, is shown at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. outfitting berth. Photograph is taken looking forward from midships. TPL-1871

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

By October of 1941, the Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Shipbuilding Corporation on Tacoma's Tideflats employed 3,000 workers, most of whom drove back and forth to work. The workers' cars filled a large lot at the end of Alexander Avenue, just north of the Hooker Chemical plant (which is in the background). When the workday was over, there was only one way back into the city, down Alexander Avenue, onto East 11th Street and across the 11th street (now Murray Morgan) Bridge, creating a massive traffic jam. The shipyard was planning to add 5,000 more workers in the next few months and the city was working on a traffic flow solution. (T. Times, 10/07/1941]

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

ca. 1940. Side view of freighter Cape Flattery, second vessel launched by the Sea-Tac Shipyard, at anchor. (Argentum)

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

Progress picture of Hull #3 at Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. The merchant motorship would be launched on November 29, 1940 as the Cape Cleare. It was one of five identical cargo ships being built under contract by the company. TPL-1856

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

Top officers of the Cape Alava and Cape Flattery. Hard hatted workers at the Seattle Tacoma shipyards leave the dock where finish work continues on the Cape Alava and Cape Flattery. The two merchant ships were the first two commissioned with the shipyard. (T. Times)

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

Launch #2 at the Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., the launching of the Cape Flattery. The 416 foot motorship was launched on September 28, 1940. The ultra modern merchant vessel was more than half finished at the time of its launching. Already in place were the two 2200 horsepower diesel engines and the all steel deck houses, designed to house 43 seamen and 8 passengers. The cost of the vessel tipped the scale at $2,127,000. (T. Times 9/27/1940, 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;

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick P. Dravis and their daughter Virginia attended the 39th launching at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation on May 6, 1943. "The Keeweenaw," a US airplane carrier, was being launched. Mr. Dravis was the owner of Dravis Engineering & Machine Works of Tacoma. He was a naval architect and marine engineer. While holding for a radio broadcast of the ceremony to begin, the vessel slipped down the ways, launching itself five minutes early. (TNT 5/7/1943, pg. 1)

Dravis, Frederick P.--Family; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. workers line up to purchase War Bonds during the Second War Loan Drive, 4/12- 5/1/1943. In addition to long term investment in bonds (the Payroll Savings Plan), specific short term campaigns were also held. There were eight bond drives altogether during World War II. The War Finance Committees, responsible for the sale of bonds, sold a total of 185.7 Billion in securities during WWII, a feat that has never been equalled. By the end of the war, 8 out of every 13 Americans had invested in war bonds.

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

Hard hatted workers line up at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. to purchase war bonds during the Second War Loan Drive held 4/12-5/1/1943. By the end of the drive, Americans had purchased 18.5 billion in war bonds, 5 billion over the 13 billion goal. This proceeds from this drive alone equalled over 90 % of the amount raised by the combined drives of World War I.

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

The Tacoma Times honored defense worker mothers of active servicemen on our nation's second wartime Mother's Day in May of 1943. On page 1 was this picture of Mrs. C.W. Greening, mother of one of Tacoma's most famous servicemen Major Ross Greening, a pilot with the heroic Tokyo Air Raiders, led by Jimmy Doolittle. Mrs. Greening was employed by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. Tacoma plant in the payroll department. Her son had been one of the pilots in the top secret raid on mainland Japan on April 18, 1942, that slowed down the Japanese war machine and gave a boost to American morale. The land based 16 B-25s took off from the deck of the aircraft carrier Hornet and carried out the war's first bombing raid on Japan. All but one of the aircraft crash landed or the crew bailed out. Major Greening and his crew bailed out and reached China safely. In 1943, he was stationed in North Africa, where he was shot down and captured in July of 1943. He survived the war and continued in a distinguished military career until his death in 1957. (T. Times 5/8/1943 p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Mothers; Greening, C.W.--Family; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People;

Mrs. C.E. Taylor, wife of commander C.E. Taylor, ordnance officer 13th Naval district, was photographed holding the traditional spray of roses presented to a ship's sponsor. Mrs. Taylor was acting as the sponsor for the USS Sunset. The escort carrier was launched July 15, 1943 at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle- Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. The vessel was later transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned as the HMS Thane. (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;

Photographed next to the USS Sunset during its July 15, 1943 launching are O.A. Tucker, General Manager of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., and the ship's sponsor Mrs. C.E. Taylor. Mrs. Taylor, well dressed in white gloves and picture hat, holds the traditional spray of roses. (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;

On July 15, 1943, the USS Sunset (CVE 48) slid down the ways at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., the 43rd ship to be launched at the Tacoma yard. Although launched, the escort carrier was never commissioned in the US Navy. Instead, it was transferred on lend-lease to the British Royal Navy in November of 1943, where it was commissioned as the HMS Thane. The vessel operated as a ferry and convoy transport escort in the North Atlantic until it was torpedoed by a German U-boat January 15, 1945. The ship survived but was deemed unrepairable and was scrapped in 1946. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org) TPL-9655

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