Skansie's Shipbuilding Company had just completed and was launching their first fishing boat in April of 1949. John Cosulich and his wife were the fishing boat's sponsors; John Cosulich has been Skansie shipyards foreman for 37 years. View of fishing boat sponsor, Mrs. John Cosulich (right) and unidentified man, at the Skansie shipyards for the boat launching (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). A patron stated that the woman in the photograph is not Mrs. John Cosulich (her name was Marina). It is the daughter-in-law of John and Marina Cosulich. Her name is Dolores Cosulich, née Seghieri. The unidentified man is Tony Cosulich, her husband.

Fishing boats--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor; Launchings--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Skansie's Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Cosulich, John--Family;

Skansie's Shipbuilding Company built their first fishing boat, this boat will join the Puget Sound fishing fleet. Skansie's was located at 3209 Harborview Drive in Gig Harbor; the shipyard was operated by the Skansie brothers, Mitchell Jr. and William. View of unnamed 59 foot fishing boat, built by the Skansie shipyards, after having been launched (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). TPL-8306

Fishing boats--Gig harbor--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor; Launchings--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Skansie's Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Cosulich, John--Family;

J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation just finished building another Tacoma built fishing boat. The beautiful tuna clipper "Mary S." was built for Captain Manuel Sousa and Associates of San Diego, California. "Mary S." is 109 feet long and has a 600 horsepower engine, the vessel cost $300,000. View of "Mary S."; Martinac boat building plant in background (T.N.T., 4/15/49, p. 29). TPL-8993

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The "Mary S" slid down the ways at Martinac Shipbuilding on April 14, 1949. The , launching of the 109-foot tuna clipper drew the attendance of L. L. Livesly, partner and managing owner of Manuel Sousa and Associates of San Diego, California. Mrs. Joe Martinac Jr. and Mrs. L. L. Livesly were the launching sponsors for the "Mary S." (T.N.T., 4/15/49, p. 29). TPL-8994

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Birchfield Boiler Incorporated, 2503 East 11th St., completed a 47 foot, all steel tuna hull for Alfred O. and Robert E. Erickson, local Tacoma fishermen, in July of 1948. Birchfield was in the process of expanding their shipbuilding and ship conversion department. After the hull was christened, the Erickson family celebrated on the desk of their new fishing boat. Birchfield Boiler's maintenance and electric shop can be seen in background.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishermen--Tacoma; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Erickson--Family;

View of large "Oshkosh" truck getting ready to transport newly fabricated steel logging equipment from Washington Steel and Welding Company, two unidentified men seem to be checking the machinery and the making sure it is securely loaded on truck.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Oskosh trucks; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Machinery; Steel industry--Tacoma; Welding--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma; Metalworking--Tacoma; Washington Steel & Welding Co. (Tacoma);

Truck at plant, Standard Oil, Mr. Wiegle. A side view of the Studebaker delivery truck for Chevron Gasoline. The hood is long and the windshield has a split-glass. Rear-view mirrors are added on both sides of the cab. She has her spare tire hung from the back portion of the side panels. Painted in two tones and she is parked outside a garage for delivery trucks.

Studebaker trucks; Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gasoline--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Shipping scenes at Port Piers, Studio Spec. Bob. Ships at Baker and Weyerhaeuser Docks. A view looking across the City Waterway west towards Tacoma. Ships are tied at the Baker Dock Company and the Weyerhaeuser Line, a steamship line that ran from Shaffer Terminals at the foot of Division Avenue. Barrels lie of the dock in the foreground.

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steamboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; City Waterway (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baker Dock Co. (Tacoma); Weyerhaeuser Line (Tacoma); Shaffer Terminals, Inc. (Tacoma); Cityscapes;

Columbia Sausage Company trucks for Irwin-Jones. The company's fleet of Dodge trucks is parked outside the company's facilities.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dodge trucks; Columbia Sausage Co. (Tacoma); Sausages--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meat; Meat industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Cannaregio loading at Port piers, ordered by Chauncey Griggs. On August 4, 1947 the huge Italian ship was being loaded by crane with 33,000 pieces of cottonwood squares, more than 1 million board feet, and other materials for Ireland. Chauncey Griggs, head of Export Pacific, shipper of these goods, indicated the wood would be used by the buyers to manufacture butter tubs and other food containers to enable Ireland to distribute surplus food products to Eruopean countries who need them. (T.Times, 8/7/1947, p.10; 8/12/1947, p.1))

Cargo ships--Italian; Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marine terminals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts; Hoisting machinery;

The new Chevy Coca-Cola truck had a stronger, sturdier, all-steel constructed cab. The truck had an amazing flexi-mounted system that absorbed most road shocks, providing a smooth ride. The large load space was ideal for Coca-Cola vending machines. View of model Saree Scott holding a bottle of Coca-Cola, while resting on top of the new Chevy truck, photo ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bottles; Coca Cola Bottling Co. (Tacoma); South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Posing; Scott, Saree; Chevrolet trucks;

Pacific Boat was owned by John B. and Robert J. Breskovich and Joseph S. Rosin. Pacific Boat was one of the leading boat builders in Tacoma during this time period, they had been actively involved in the war time production and post-war building era. Pacific boat could custom built any type of boat, whether they were fishing and government vessels or pleasure crafts. They had recently started mass production of pleasure motor boats. View of vessel sliding down a water ramp, it was likely following an official launching ceremony which included the christening. TPL-8938

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

Antonsen Painting Company had remodeled their workshop in 1946 and had added an automobile sand blasting department. Antonsen was one of the few painting companies that had sand blasting available on site. They had contracts with many of the automobile painting companies to do the sand blasting for them prior to the painting. Exterior view of Antonsen taken on November 8, 1947 with trucks parked along the front of the building.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Paint industry--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Painting--Tacoma; Antonsen Painting Co. (Tacoma);

Construction photo of Irwin-Jones Motor Company Dodge Truck dealership. A bulldozer is clearing the site of the future Irwin-Jones truck division. A sign announcing the construction, the rail rail line, Globe Ticket Company and other industrial buildings are shown with the north slope of Nalley Valley in background. TPL-9225

Dodge trucks; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Excavation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nalley Valley (Tacoma);

Buck & Sons had one of Tacoma's best selection of Ford tractors, they also featured Ferguson tractors, Quaker State H. D. motor oils and grease, tractor tires, and had an on site tractor repair shop. The company advertised "30,000 Customers Can't Be Wrong". Exterior view of building, new electric sign with company name and "Ford" tractor, show windows with Christmas tree on display.

Tractors--Tacoma; Agricultural machinery & implements--Tacoma; Equipment; Machinery; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buck & Sons Tractor & Implement Co. (Tacoma);

West Coast Grocery was a wholesale grocery company with their large new offices and headquarters on East D Street. Charles H. Hyde was president of West Coast Grocery. Exterior view of West Coast Grocery Company's AMOCAT and Olympia Beer trucks, photo ordered by Condon Company, an advertising company (T. Times, 2/26/47, p. 12-B).

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma; West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; Storehouses--Tacoma;

Camp Fire Girls would learn about government offices, education and get a tour of the Capitol buildings on March 8, 1947. Camp Fire Girls was founded in 1910 and their slogan was "Be Friendly--Make Friends--Join Camp Fire Girls." View of 200 Camp Fire Girls and their chapter leaders prior to boarding North Coast buses for their "Going Places" trip to Olympia (T. Times, 3/5/47, p. 16).

Buses--Tacoma; Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Uniforms; Girls--Tacoma; Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); North Coast Transportation Co. (Tacoma);

The 165 foot "Scarlet Queen" would have a fishing crew of eighteen men, Tony Dutra was the ship's skipper. Interior view of the crew's quarters, six mahogany trimmed bunks with inner spring mattresses, individual lockers and reading lamps and benches. The room is bright, airy and easy to keep clean (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8968

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Crew quarters; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beds; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The 165 foot "Scarlet Queen" would have a fishing crew of eighteen men, Tony Dutra was the ship's skipper. Interior view of the skipper's quarters, this room has beautiful hardwood built in features, including, drawers and storage compartments. The skipper's quarters has a deluxe bunk, reading lamp, window and pull out desk(Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8967

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Crew quarters; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beds; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

View of "Scarlet Queen's" galley, modern oil-fired galley range, stainless steel trim, dual temp, refrigerator, tiles drain board, wood finished cupboards, large table with bench seating and magnesite floors. The kitchen also features a double sink with cold, hot and salt water, water cooler, radio and inter-com (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8966

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Galleys (Ship kitchens); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Alfred E. Hill, 22 years old, was killed instantly when his motorcycle hit the rear left fender of an on-coming car. Sergeant Andrew Prevuznak of Fort Lewis was turning onto Highway 99 from Sales Road, Hill's motorcycle collided with his automobile. View of blood stains on Highway 99 at Sales Road, scene of motorcycle and car accident; photo ordered by Farmers Insurance Company (T. Times, 6/17/48, p. 1).

Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Roads--Tacoma; Hill, Alfred E.--Death & burial; City & town life--Tacoma; Insurance companies--Tacoma; Farmers Insurance Group (Tacoma);

On September 16, 1946, a crew from the Tacoma Police Department, Department of Public Safety, was photographed while using a new street striper to paint traffic lane stripes on Pacific Avenue near the corner of South 84th Street. The traffic striping truck was designed and built by Carl Sohmer, a sergeant with the Tacoma Police Department. In 1951 Sgt. Sohmer took one of his highway striping vehicles to Los Angeles to demonstrate before the National Institute of Traffic Engineers. Two of businesses visible in the background are the Blue Moon Tavern, 8402 Pacific Avenue and Pacific Avenue Drugs, 8248 Pacific Avenue.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Painting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association, four men building a plywood boat. The men are working on the bottom of a boat held up by inner supports. Tools and building materials line the wall of the workshop. Another boat sitting upright is in the foreground.

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association, one man working on a plywood boat. The boat is upright and shows the interior bracing for the hull. Exterior grade plywood required water-proof glues and a heat/pressure treatment. For boat building, plywood would require additional waterproofing.

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Marine Research. A motor boat afloat at a dock. The craft has in inboard motor, a small windshield and three rows of seats. The boat is made of plywood. Plywood boats were found to be light and durable. Marine Research also well known as the manufacturer of 16 foot laminated inboard boats of one-piece keel, stem and shaft logs as well as a line of specially developed utiliyt trailers. Headed by M.G. Gunther, Marine Research also produced 18 foot commercial skiffs for tuna clippers. (T.Times, 12/25/1946, p.12)

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Marine Research Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Marine Research. Two men take a small motor boat for a trial run. The craft has in inboard motor, a small windshield and three rows of seats. The boat is made of plywood.

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Marine Research Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pacific Boat completed the "Sun Voyager" for Sun Harbor Packing Co. in San Diego, California. A trial run was completed last week and now the boat was ready to be launched. Interior view of "Sun Voyager's" shaft alley, this is the distribution center for bait water, brine circulation and refrigeration control. TPL-8913

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat's launching of "Southern Queen", a 100 foot, steel, tuna and sardine purse seiner, built for A. T. Anderson of Seattle and Joe Villicich of San Pedro, California. Side view of "Southern Queen", Tacoma Kenworth Motor Truck Corp., LLoyd Suiter Tire Co., O'Cinelli Co. and Columbia Breweries in background (T. Times, 2/12/47, p. 5). TPL-8919

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

A Control Line Model Airplane Meet took place at Tacoma Stadium Bowl. The rescue helicopter from McCord Field made a special appearance at the event. The helicopter arrived and gracefully landed, impressing the large Tacoma crowd. The event was sponsored by the Tacoma Young Men's Business Club (T. Times, 1/27/47, p. 47).

Helicopters--Tacoma; Search & rescue operations; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Military air shows--Tacoma;

Puget Sound Boat, "Mary C. Canas". Mary C. Canas is on her water trials. She's a all-wood, all-brine tuna vessel, 400 ph for Van Camp Sea Food Co., Inc., and Joaquin Canas. She is named for the captain's wife, Mary C. Canas. (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1948, p.301) TPL-8959

Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;