A small "Trap Servicing" boat built for use at Tacoma City Light's Mossyrock Dam is successfully launched on November 13, 1968. Two men appear to be disconnecting the cables from the large crane that had carefully lowered the workboat into the Port Industrial Waterway. The 36-foot craft was built for $61,400 wtih Peterson Boatbuilding Co. as prime contractor and with Star Marine Industries subcontracting the hull. Photograph ordered by Star Marine Industries. (TNT 11-14-68, C-8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery; Star Marine Industries (Tacoma);

A different kind of launching than what is usually photographed occurred at the "Trap Servicing" boat launching held at the Port of Tacoma's industrial yard. Instead of immense fishing boats or Navy gunboats, this launching featured a small 36-foot workboat built for use at Tacoma City Light's Mossyrock Dam. A large crane steadily lowers the vessel on November 13, 1968. Peterson Boatbuilding Co. was the prime contractor of the $61,400 craft; Star Marine Industries subcontracted the hull. Photograph ordered by Star Marine Industries. (TNT 11-14-68, C--8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery; Star Marine Industries (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Standing in front of the new fishing boat, the "Conquest," were the principal parties honored at the ship's launching on October 23, 1968. From L-R are J.S. Martinac, Mrs. Joseph Madruga, Mr. Madruga, and an unidentified man. The 165-foot vessel was built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation for Joseph Madruga. Mrs. Madruga, holding a bouquet of long stem red roses, was the ship's sponsor. After undergoing sea trials, the "Conquest" would be delivered to the Madrugas in January of 1969. She would fish in the San Pedro, California, area, with Richard Madruga, Joseph's brother, as captain. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-24-68, A-3) TPL-9194

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Madruga, Joseph--Family; Martinac, J.S.; Roses--Tacoma;

A smiling Mrs. Joseph Madruga poses in front of the tuna seiner, "Conquest," on October 23, 1968. The 165-foot fishing vessel, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, was launched that day. Mrs. Madruga, clutching an enormous bouquet of long stem red roses, was the ship's sponsor and christened the "Conquest" with the traditional bottle of champagne. She was the wife of the boat's managing owner. Assisting Mrs. Madruga in the christening was Mrs. Richard Madruga, wife of the ship's captain. The Madruga brothers would fish for canneries in the San Pedro, California, area. Designed for a crew of 14, she would be delivered to her owner in early 1969. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT10-24-68, A-3) TPL-9223

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Madruga, Joseph--Family; Roses--Tacoma;

View of the tuna seiner "Conquest" prior to launching. A crew member peers over the bunting-decorated bow. Built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, the 165-foot fishing vessel was ready to be launched on October 23, 1968. She was powered by a 2800-horsepower diesel engine and had a frozen fish capacity of 650 tons. The "Conquest" would be delivered to her owner, Joseph Madruga, in early 1969. The ship's captain was Richard Madruga, Joseph Madruga's brother. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-24-68, A-3) TPL-9193

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Ship under construction at Tacoma Boatbuilding in late summer of 1968. Tacoma Boatbuilding had suffered a devastating fire on August 17, 1968, with more than $2,000,000 in damages. Two Navy gunboats and the primary ship assembly plant were destroyed in the three-alarm fire. The company vowed to rebound from the loss and work did continue on undamaged vessels by the end of August. (TNT 8-17-68, p. 1, TNT 8-18-68, p. 1) TPL-9132

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Civilians and military personnel gathered for the launching of the USS Tacoma, the fourth vessel to bear the city's name, on April 13, 1968. The 165-foot aluminum-hulled boat was the eighth in a series of twelve patrol gunboats built for the Navy by Tacoma Boat Building. It would probably be deployed off the coast of Vietnam. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co.

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The stern of the USS Tacoma. The USS Tacoma was successfully launched, bow-first, into the waters of Commencement Bay on April 13, 1968. The PG-92 was the eighth in a series of twelve Asheville Class patrol gunboats being built by Tacoma Boat Building for the U.S. Navy. The sleek boat was powered by two 750-horsepower diesels for normal cruising conditions and turbine for high speeds in excess of 40 knots. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (TNT 4-14-68, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Ship's sponsor. The U.S. Navy patrol gunboat, the "Tacoma," is ready for launching into Commencement Bay on April 13, 1968. Mrs. Arne Strom, the ship's sponsor, is holding a bouquet of longstem red roses. Her husband, standing next to her, is the chairman of the board of Tacoma Boat Building. Mrs. Strom would have the honor of christening the new vessel with the traditional bottle of champagne. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co. (TNT 4-14-68, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Strom, Arne; Strom, Arne--Family;

Drew Foss (2nd from L) is joined by his mother and father, Agnes and Henry Foss and Anthony J. Martinolich (farthest L) during the launching of the towboat Claudia Foss on February 24, 1968, at Martinolich Shipbuilding's Taylor Way yard. The 80-foot vessel was built for Foss Launch & Tug and had a 25-foot beam. It was the first of two towboats being built for Foss; the second, another 80-foot vessel, was scheduled for a May launching. The Fosses kept the tradition of naming their boats after members of the family; the Claudia Foss was named for the daughter-in-law of Barbara Foss Campbell, Wedell Foss' daughter. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding. (TNT 2-25-68, A-8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss, Agnes S.; Foss, Drew; Martinolich, Anthony J.

The little tug, the Brynn Foss, trails after the newly launched towboat, the Claudia Foss, on February 24, 1968. The 80-foot vessel was built by Martinolich Shipbuilding for Foss Launch & Tug and slipped into the water at its Taylor Way yard. Her keel was laid on December 1, 1967. Delivery of the vessel was scheduled for April 1st. The Claudia Foss was the first of two 80-foot boats being built for Foss with the second, the Martha Foss, scheduled for a May 15, 1968, launching. She was named for Mrs. Duncan (Claudia) Campbell, daughter-in-law of Barbara Foss Campbell. (TNT 2-25-68, A-8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

Preparations are being made for the launching of the 177-foot tuna seiner, the "City of Panama" on February 3, 1968. She would be sliding down the ways at Port Industrial Yard. Built by Tacoma Boatbuilding for Roland Virissimo of San Diego, the "City of Panama" was the second in the Blue Pacific class to be launched in two weeks, after "Bold Venture" on January 20th. The "City of Panama" was powered by a 2,075-horsepower electromotive diesel and could carry up to 925 tons of tuna. She would be used to fish in the waters near Puerto Rico. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 1-30-68, p. 18) TPL-9129

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching of the "Jeanette C." Built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, the tuna clipper "Jeanette C" was launched on June 6, 1967 at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Plant 2 in the Port Industrial Yard. View of lauching participants in front of the fishing boat, the second of four planned tuna seiners, and the sister ship to the 176-foot "Blue Pacific" previously launched on March 29th. 15-year-old Jeanette Caboz, daughter of skipper-to-be and part owner Manuel Caboz, holds a large bouquet of roses. She christened the ship that is named in her honor. Also pictured is Mrs. William Gillis who assisted Miss Caboz. Presiding at the launching was Tacoma Boat's president, Arnold J. Strom. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 6-6-67, p. 26, TNT 6-7-67, C-4) TPL-8857

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Caboz, Jeanette;

With a mighty swing, Jeanne Martin Soares christens the new "Blue Pacific" on March 29, 1967. The vessel was launched at Tacoma Boat Building. She was a 176-foot steel tuna seiner built for Capt. Roger Soares of San Diego who placed her in operation for White Star- Van Camp Seafoods. The "Blue Pacific" was the largest tuna fishing boat built from the keel up at the time. She was constructed in the Port Industrial Yard (the former Tacoma Naval Station) by Tacoma Boat Building. Moments after the christening, the "Blue Pacific" eased down the ways and came to a standstill before she finally floated free. Five Foss tugs assisted when the boat was hung up. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building. (TNT 3-12-67, A-23, TNT 3-29-67, A-1) TPL-9061 (Corrected identification provided by a reader)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Soares, Jeanne Martin;

The Nancy Foss tug assisted in the launching of the J.M. Martinac on March 27, 1967. View of ship's bow post-launching. The 154-foot tuna seiner was the fifth tuna boat built by Martinac Shipbuilding for skipper Lou Brito of San Diego. It had a payload of 540 tons and carried a 32-foot power skiff. The J.M. Martinac, whose name was selected by skipper Brito in honor of Martinac founder J.M. Martinac, had nets more than half a mile long. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 2-19-67, B-4, TNT 3-28-67, A-1) TPL-9124

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

View of USS Crockett. The USS Crockett was one of 17 gunboats in the Asheville class. Tacoma Boatbuilding had a government contract to build seven of these patrol gunboats, each costing 2.5 million dollars. The Crockett was the third to be launched. Nearly 165 feet in length, the Crockett could accelerate from 0 to 40 knots in 60 seconds. The aluminum ship had approximately 230 tons displacement weight and was powered by a gas turbine. It was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding on June 4, 1966, with christening honors performed by Mrs. Charles Horjes of Tacoma. After service in South Vietnam, it would be transferred to the Naval Reserve Force in 1975 and decommissioned in 1976. (TNT 2-6-66, A-16; TNT 6-5-66, D-15; www.navsource.org/archives/12/11088.htm; www.hobbybarn.com/Dumas-pages/USS-Crocket-1218.htm)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

USS Crockett (PG-88) prior to launching. The Asheville Class gunboat was launched at Tacoma Boat Building on June 4, 1966. Powered by a gas turbine, the speedy ship would be commissioned on June 24, 1967, and stationed in South Vietnam where she would be used for coastal patrol, blockade reconnaissance and to give support. The nearly 165-foot gunboat would hold a complement of 4 officers and 33 enlisted men. Tacoma Boat Building had won a government contract to build seven of these Asheville Class vessels. (TNT 2-6-66, A-16, www.navsource.org/archives/12/11088.htm; www.hobbybarn.com/Dumas-pages/USS-Crocket-1218.htm)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The "Alpha Helix" commenced its trial runs on February 19, 1966. Martinac Shipbuilding built the 133-foot research vessel for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, as a floating experimental biology laboratory. It had a 31-foot beam and displacement of 512 tons, carried a crew of 12 and could berth a scientific party of ten. The $2,225,000 floating lab was skippered by Capt. James Faughn.The "Alpha Helix" made news on the day of its launching, June 29, 1964, when she broke away from fastenings on the Martinac ways and launched itself. She was spared damage when boom men alertly kept her from smashing into broken pilings. In 1980, the vessel was sold to the University of Alaska's Institute of Marine Science. Photograph ordered by J.M.Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. ( TNT 2-20-66, A-15; scilib.ucsd.edu/sio/archives/siohstry/alphahelix-hist.html; sea.edu/SEA2000/NewsUpdates2000/ShipyardNews/MartinacShipbuilding.htm)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ship trials--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Broadside view of the Eastern Pacific as it tests the waters of Commencement Bay in early August, 1965. The tuna clipper was built by Martinac Shipbuilding. Photograph ordered by Martinac Shipbuilding. TPL-9058

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma;

View of the Eastern Pacific's bow with three men on board in late July, 1965. The tuna clipper was built by Martinac Shipbuilding. Photograph ordered by Martinac Shipbuilding. TPL-9057

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma;

The "Pacific Pearl" was docked at Tacoma Boatbuilding on May 20, 1965. She was a new shellfish processing plant that had been converted from a 175-foot Coast Guard tender, the M.V. Hemlock. The floating cannery was to leave its berth in Tacoma and head toward Alaska. Photograph ordered by Northwest Advertising Co., Seattle. (TNT 5-23-65, A-15)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing industry--Washington; Canneries--Washington;

A man surveys the peaceful waterway as he stands aboard the "Pacific Pearl," a floating cannery, on May 20, 1965. The shellfish processing plant, out of Seattle, is docked at Tacoma Boatbuilding. The cannery was formerly a 175-foot Coast Guard tender, the M.V. Hemlock, before being rebuilt. Sutterlin & Wendt, Inc., packers of northwest seafoods under the Pacific Pearl label, would be moving their cannery from Tacoma to Alaska. Photograph ordered by Northwest Advertising Co., Seattle. (TNT 5-23-65, A-15)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing industry--Washington; Canneries--Washington;

Boat under construction. Tacoma Boat Building was under contract to build U.S. Navy aluminum gunboats in 1964. Four gunboats were under construction under two separate contracts. Tacoma Boat would win a $6,731,046 contract to build three more motor gunboats in January, 1965. The lightweight aluminum hulls on these patrol boats would permit operations in relatively shallow waters. They were designed to operate offensively on patrol blockades and surveillance missions. Constructed of aluminum, the boats would be 165 feet long with 25-foot beams and be equipped with 3" gun and 40 mm gun. View of Tacoma Boat Building employee in mid-October, 1964, working with long pieces of aluminum. Photograph ordered by Reynolds Metals Co., Los Angeles, for company's annual report. (TNT 1-15-65, A-1)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Aluminum;

Tacoma Boat Building launched the last of a series of four minesweepers, the MS 301, on April 11, 1964. The tugboat pictured above was probably a Foss tug; Foss tugboats were customarily used in the launching of minesweepers built for the Navy by local shipbuilders. The tugs were used to help escort the much larger ships. Here the tug bucked gusty winds to push the new non-magnetic, wood-and-aluminum minesweeper to her outfitting dock on Sitcom Waterway. The 175' long vessel had twin 500 hp diesel engines and cost over $2,000,000. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (TNT 4-13-64, p. 30)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Brynn Foss tugboat provides welcome assistance to the newly launched minesweeper MSI-14 on October 26, 1963. The ship was built by Tacoma Boat Building Co. and apparently launched at the Pacific Boat Yard. She was the second of a series of wooden-hulled, non-magnetic Navy minesweepers ordered from Tacoma Boat Building. The 110-foot craft carried a crew of 18. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co. (TNT 10-25-63, p. 28., TNT 10-27-63, A-8) TPL-9250

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Launching of military vessel MSI-14 on Saturday, October 26, 1963. Ship was built by Tacoma Boat Building and waits to be launched at Pacific Boat Yard, 759 Port of Tacoma Road. She was the second of series of wooden-hulled, non-magnetic minesweepers ordered by the Navy. Tacoma Boat Building would also build four other larger minesweepers. The ship's sponsor was Mrs. Mark C. Jewett of Washington D.C. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building. (TNT 10-25-63, p. 28, TNT 10-27-63, A-8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The 53' purse seiner, Haida Maid, was launched at Western Boat Building on June 20, 1963. It was owned by Hydaburg Co-op of Alaska. Hydaburg was a Haida Indian tribal association which operated under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. View of the Haida Maid as it prepares to slide, stern first, down the ways. (TNT 6-21-63, p. 19)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

The crew of the newly launched Haida Maid survey calm waters on June 20, 1963. The Haida Maid was a 53' purse seiner built by Western Boat Building for the Hydaburg Co-op, a Haida Indian tribal association which operated under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Mary Petrich, daughter of Western Boat Building vice-president James Petrich, christened the boat earlier that day. (TNT 6-21-63, p. 19)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

PGM 63 glides through calm waters on May 9, 1963. The J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. built this patrol boat for the U.S. government. A previous Martinac-built Motor Gunboat underwent sea trials in April, 1963. The PGM 63 would later be transferred to South Vietnam as the To Yen.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma;

Broadside view of Navy minesweeper MSC 299 at Tacoma Boat Building on January 26, 1963. Vessel was launched at 4:30 that afternoon; champagne honors by Mrs. James B. Burrow. The 140' non-magnetic minesweeper was the second of a series of four being built for the Navy by Tacoma Boat Building. (TNT 1-27-63, A-2)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);