Launching of the U.S. Army transport Frederick Funston at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard on September 27, 1941. An incomplete hull assisted by tugboats is riding easy in the water. A worker is pictured with his wife and child in the foreground..

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

Preparations were being made to launch the U.S. Army transport Frederick Funston at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation on Tacoma's tideflats in late September of 1941. The ship is shown on the ways at right. On the left, another hull takes shape. The $3,000,000 steamship was named in honor of the late Major General Frederick Funston. His daughter, Barbara Funston of San Francisco, served as the ship's sponsor. Governor Arthur B. Langlie and Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain were among the dignitaries in attendance. (T. Times 9/29/1941/ pg. 1-alt. photograph; T.Times 9-27-41, p. 1+ -article)

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

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;

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Launching "Oceanic" by Pacific Boat Building.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Exterior views of Peterson Boat Building Co. for Mr. Heitman of Fidelity Rent & Collection. This site, adjoining the Foss yard on the outer edge of the Middle Waterway, was chosen by the father & son team of George and John Peterson for their shipyard. It was devoted entirely to the construction of fishing vessels. This is a view of hull #7 under construction. The finished vessel would be 11 feet in depth, 22 ft. beam, 85 ft. long and weigh 120 tons. Peterson operated at this location until 1969 when it was destroyed by fire. (TT 8/5/1942, pg. 3) TPL-9441

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

This photograph is an overview of the ceremony on December 18, 1942 when the Tacoma Boat Building plant was presented with an "E Award" by the Army & Navy. The "E Award" was a production award, and the shipyard's was the first given for production of minesweepers. The award consisted of a "E" flag to fly over the plant and a pin for each employee. The company also took this opportunity to launch their newest minesweeper, the YMS 244.

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

Launching of "Pride of America" at Peterson Boat Building. The Peterson shipyard was owned by the father and son team of George and John Peterson. The yard was devoted entirely to the construction of fishing vessels. The site of their yard adjoined the Foss yard at the outer edge of the Middle Waterway. The shipyard was rebuilt in 1943 and the company remained at this site until it burned in 1969.

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

In September of 1942, Peterson Boat Building was preparing to launch the "Pride of America." The small shipyard was operated by father and son team George and John Peterson. It was located at 223 E. F St., a site that adjoined the Foss Yard (225) at the outer edge of the Middle Waterway. The busy shipyard specialized in the construction of fishing vessels. The shipyard was rebuilt in 1943 and remained at this location until it was destroyed in a fire in 1969.

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard Finishers, Pierce County Inter-League basketball team, at Tacoma Boys Club. (T.Times)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

Sea-Tac (Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation) Welders, Pierce County Inter-League basketball team, at Tacoma Boys Club. One of eight teams representing the shipyard in inter-league play. (T.Times)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

This team was one of eight representing the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation in league play at the Tacoma Boys Club in January of 1943. This particular team was from the Shipfitters swing shift. Pictured left to right kneeling are Alphonse Big Horn, Leonard Big Horn (Native American brothers from Montana), John Owens and Lawrence Loveland. Standing, left to right, are Mason Longmire (mgr.), Phil Red Eagle, John Hartsell, Wayne Hinkleman and Matt Kapovich. (T. Times 2/1/1943, pg. 11)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Indigenous peoples; Big Horn, Alphonse; Big Horn, Leonard; Owens, John; Loveland, Lawrence; Longmire, Mason;

Laying of destroyer keel for "Hull #3," to be built at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation (Sea-Tac), Seattle facility. Large group of men doff their hats while in front of steel keel piece on crane.

Boat & ship industry--Seattle; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Seattle;

The captain's quarters in a newly completed ship by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. The Martinac yard had been busy during May 1951: the Royal Pacific, a 118-foot tuna clipper was launched May 5, was expected to make her trial run the first week of June; a 123-foot clipper for Lu Brito, already started, was expected to be completed in December; and at the Kazulin-Cole yard on Hylebos waterway, under lease by Martinac, a 118-foot sister ship to the Royal Pacific and Mona Lisa was expected to be launched June 15. Immediately following that launching Martinac would begin construction of another 118-foot sister vessel to the first three. (TNT, 6/3/1951, p.D-12) TPL-9043

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

The decking leading from the bridge to the stern of a new fishing boat launched by J.M. Martinac Corp. She is most likely the "Royal Pacific", sister ship to the Mona Lisa. Royal Pacific was another tuna clipper, 118 feet, by 26 feet, with a depth of 13.5 feet. The Royal Pacific was valued at $320,000, would carry a 615-hp Superior diesel for a speed of 11 knots. She would hold 230 tons of tuna under refrigeration. Ordered by Martinac Shipbuilding. (TNT, 5/6/1951, p.B-2)

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

Launching of "Miss California" at Peterson Boat Building Company. The new 96-foot tuna clipper is draped with an American flag as she sits in the ways prior to launching. Miss California cost approximately $250,000. She would carry a 400-hp Enterprise diesel for her main power plant, plus two 140-hp GM generators. Her beam was 25.5 feet and she had a depth of 12.5 feet. She would carry a crew of 12 and had a cruising range of 9,000 miles. It was reported in December 1951 that Capt. Manuel J. Sousa brought Miss California for her second trip in the fast time of 23 days. (TNT, 5/13/1951, p.B-2, Pacific Fisherman, Dec. 1951, pj.38)

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of "Miss California" at Peterson Boat Building Company. The tugboat "Peter Foss" is pushing the fishing boat to the dock where the interior will be completed. A stormy sky is overhead on this May 10, 1951, day. The 96-foot tuna clipper was expected to be delivered to her San Diego owners in mid-June. (TNT, 5/13/1951, p.B-2)

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma's sixth major fire of 1951 occurred in the early morning hours of August 24th when Tacoma Boat Building Company at 2142 East D st. was nearly destroyed. The construction yard of five connecting buildings was engulfed in flames; only the outfitting dock was saved. Damages were estimated in the one million dollar range. The company's office building suffered minor damage and valuable company records were safe. Twelve land companies and the city fireboat fought the blaze throughout the night and smoke was still rising from the boatworks' ruins several hours later. Only one boat was lost in the fire; the partially completed hull of a tuna fishing boat can be seen in the center of the photograph. A General Motors truck is parked close to the blackened structures; perhaps it will be used to haul away some of the rubble. (TNT 8-24-51, p.1)

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This tuna fishing boat, being bult at the Tacoma Boat Building Company facility at 2142 East D St. was over 60% complete when a fire on August 24, 1951 reduced it to a charred hulk. Several hours after the massive one million dollar blaze, smoke still billows from the ruined boat. The company's boatworks area was completely demolished; this fishing boat, however, was the only vessel damaged. Photograph ordered by Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco. TPL-9053

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Cape Beverly was built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding for Capt. Paul Lynn. She was designed by Arthur DeFever of San Pedro and carried excellent equipment: a 615 hp Superior engine, twin 150 hp GM auxiliaries, a Sperry magnetic compas pilot with Sperry electro-magnetic steering system, a Submarine Signal Co. Fathometer, Apelco direction finder and 500 watt Pacific Electronics radiophone. (Pacific Fisherman July 1950, p.37.) TPL-9030

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Cape Beverly, 113 feet x 28 feet, was built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding for Capt. Paul Lynn. Designed by Arthur DeFever of San Pedro she had a 220 ton capacity and the fish were chilled by three big ice machines. (Pacific Fisherman July 1950, p.37.) TPL-9031

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sea trials of the tuna clipper "Mona Lisa," built by J.M. Martinac and owned by John Correia & Associates. The "Mona Lisa" was under the command of the fleets' youngest skipper John Correia Jr. She was 118 foot, 26 ' in the beam and 13'6" deep. On her trial trip, the suppliers of the vessel were on board to watch her go through her paces.("Pacific Fisherman" June 1951, pg. 29-31) TPL-9034

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960;

View through a bulkhead doorway of the tuna clipper "Mona Lisa" into the machine room, for Martinac Shipbuilding. Bright work lights illuminate a series of valves on the left hand side, a walkway transverses the center with a large pipe on either side. This room is probably under the water line and the door can be closed and secured if the vessel takes on water. The "Mona Lisa" was driven by a huge 8 cylinder 12" x 15" direct-reversible Superior diesel, that delivered 616 hp at 430 rpm. The main propulsion engine was backed by two 150hp General Motors diesel auxiliaries. ("Pacific Fisherman" June 1951, pg 29-31) TPL-9039

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

Launching of the AM 504 with Foss tugboat. The AM 504 was the second of three 171 ft. minesweepers to be launched by Tacoma Boat Building. The ship was expected to be ready for delivery to the Tacoma Naval Station for outfitting in November of 1955. Mrs. Charles S. Weeks, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station, would be sponsor and her seven year old daughter June would be the flower girl. Cmdr. L.L. MacKinley, the Navy's resident supervisor of shipbuilding, would be the guest speaker. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. B-6) TPL-9246

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

The M.S.A. #491, a 171 foot minesweeper, was scheduled to be launched from the Bayview Shipyard, at the north end of East F St., on April 24, 1955 by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Co. It is the eighth of nine contracted 171 foot minesweepers to be launched. It will be named the U.S.S. Persistent. The keel was laid for the ship in June of 1954. (TNT 4/127/1955, pg. B-7)

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

Dorothy (Mrs. M. Stanley) Erdahl serves as sponsor for the launching of the U.S.S. Persistent (A.M. #491) minesweeper, constructed by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. M. Stanley Erdahl was the current Port Commissioner and an ex-Navy officer who took the first YMS type minesweeper out of the Martinac yard in WWII. She would be assisted at the launching of the 171 ft. minesweeper by Sharon McCoy, daughter of Ed McCoy- Sumner High School's Director of Athletics, who would serve as flower girl. (TNT 4/17/1955, pg. B-7)

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

Boat launching. Posing with a beribboned spray of red roses is Anne (Mrs. John S.) McGowan, who was the sponsor of the new fishing boat, the "Anne M." The "Anne M" was launched on Saturday night, June 14, 1969, at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp.'s yard on the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. The 165-foot tuna seiner was the sister ship of the "Conquest," delivered the previous year. The "Anne M" will fish on behalf of Bumble Bee Seafoods in the Astoria waters. She will be captained by Frank Souza of San Diego. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-16-69, p. 29) TPL-9403

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

Post-launching. The "Mary Antoinette" was successfully launched at 4:45 p.m. on October 11, 1969. A small tug is shown guiding the fishing boat in the waters of the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway with the Washington Building with Bank of California large neon sign and Puget Sound National Bank's spire as background. The "Mary Antoinette" was built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding for owner and captain John Zolezzi, Jr. of San Diego. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. (TNT 10-12-69, A-12) TPL-9448

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);