Another view of refrigerated fish barge, previously shown in D158402, image 3. It appears still under construction at the Arcweld plant in Marysville in early May of 1970. Photograph ordered by U.S. Steel Corp., Pittsburgh, PA.

Barges--Marysville; Boat & ship industry--Marysville;

Floating refrigeration facility - fish barge- at Arcweld plant in Marysville, Washington. Barge appears to be placed on a pier. Photograph was taken on May 7, 1970, for U.S. Steel Corp., Pittsburgh, PA.

Barges--Marysville; Boat & ship industry--Marysville;

Post-launching. The "Grand Rapids" rests alongside Tacoma Boatbuilding's Marine View Dr. facilities after a successful launching on April 4, 1970. The gunboat was named for the hometown of House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford; Mr. Ford and his family were in attendance at the launching ceremonies. The PG 98 would be commissioned on September 5, 1970. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding.

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching. The crowd at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Marine View Dr. facility has just watched the "Grand Rapids" slide gracefully down the ways on April 4, 1970. The ship was the 11th of 12 gunboats built under contract for the US Navy. House Minority Leader and future president Gerald R. Ford and family were on hand for the festivities as the vessel was named after the Fords' home town in Michigan.

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Crowds--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Two Turner Towing trucks are parked on the company's lot in the 2600 block of Pacific Avenue in April of 1970. Both Kenworth trucks have the company logo, a dragon ("drag-in"), painted on the driver's door. One truck is familiarly dubbed "Little Audrey." Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Bell, Seattle, for use in a yellow pages ad.

Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980; Towing--Tacoma; Wreckers (Vehicles)--Tacoma; Turner Towing Co. (Tacoma);

Post-launching. The "Polaris" was successfully launched into Commencement Bay on March 7, 1970, by Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, wife of the ship's co-owner. The Gann family watched as the 165-foot "Polaris" slid down the ways from Martinac Shipbuilding facilities. The "Polaris" had a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and was owned by Joseph and Edmund Gann of San Diego. This would be one of three fishing boats built by Martinac Shipbuilding for the Gann brothers and was expected to be delivered in May. The "Polaris" was destined for fishing operations in South America and Africa. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23- article) TPL-9453

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching. Champagne explodes as Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, wife of the ship's co-owner, officially christens the tuna seiner, "Polaris," on March 7, 1970. The 165-foot fishing boat was one of three ships built for Joseph and Edmund Gann of San Diego by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The sister ship of the "John F. Kennedy" would be handed over to her owners in May and would join the Gann fleet operating near South America and Africa. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23 - article) TPL-9452

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gann, Joseph A.--Family; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching party. Posed before the 165-foot tuna seiner, the "Polaris," are members of the launching party on March 7, 1970. The fishing vessel was built for the Gann brothers of San Diego by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. It was the 9th seiner built of that size by Martinac and one of three built for Joseph and Edmund Gann by the company. Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, clutching the traditional spray of red roses, was the ship's sponsor. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23- article) TPL-9454

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gann, Joseph A.--Family; Roses--Tacoma; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

John F. Kennedy. The 165-foot tuna seiner, "John F. Kennedy," was photographed on March 3, 1970, probably as she was undergoing sea trials in Puget Sound. The ship, built by Martinac Shipbuilding, had been launched on December 20, 1969. Upon completion of sea trials, she would be delivered to Star-Kis Foods on Terminal Island, California. Photograph ordered by Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9455

Ship trials--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Tuna clipper "John F. Kennedy." She was successfully launched in late December of 1969 by Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. Pictured above on March 3, 1970, in the waters of Puget Sound, the ship was probably undergoing sea trials. The 165-foot fishing vessel had a frozen fish capacity of 650-ton. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9456

Ship trials--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

1970 Richards stock footage. Color photograph of the all-aluminum ferry "Avalon" at Martinolich Shipbuilding facilities on February 9, 1970. The ferry, with capacity of 500 passengers, was launched in October of 1969. At that time she was the largest aluminum vessel (160-feet) built for commercial use according to Martinolich president Anthony Martinolich. The $2,300,000 ship would be put into service in the San Pedro, California, area as a transporter of people to and from Catalina Island. The white and red-trimmed vessel was owned by several owners including Robert Sprague. She came equipped with air ducts, rest rooms, snack bar, cocktail lounge, and fireproof interior. The 27-foot wide vessel also had stabilizers to reduce roll while cruising at sea. The "Avalon" was designed by Phillip Spaulding & Associates of Seattle. (TNT 2-15-70, p. B-8)

Ferries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

This unidentified vessel, believed to be a Navy gunboat, was in dry dock at Tacoma Boatbuilding in January of 1970. It appears that the paint on the boat has been stripped.

Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1970. "Apollo." 258-foot tuna boat built by Tacoma Boatbuilding and launched on October 24, 1970. This color photograph may have been taken during sea trials prior to the ship being turned over to her owners, Ocean Blazers, Inc. of San Juan, P.R. At the time of her launching, the "Apollo" was the world's largest tuna clipper and the largest boat ever constructed by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. An interested crowd watches as the 165-foot tuna seiner, the "John F. Kennedy," slides down the ways into City (now Thea Foss) Waterway on December 20, 1969. Built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., the ship had a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and would be delivered to Star-Kis Foods on Terminal Island, California. She was a sister ship to the "Mary Antoinette" which had already been delivered to her owners. December 20th also saw the launching of the USS Benicia gunboat by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4) TPL-9451

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

View of PG-96, the USS Benicia, on launch date of December 20, 1969. The Benicia, the second US Navy ship to bear the name and named after the city of Benicia, California, was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos on December 20, 1969. The 165-foot gunboat had a 24-foot beam and could reach speeds of 40k. She would be commissioned on April 20, 1970 and decommissioned on October 2, 1971. After service in the South Korean navy, the ship was struck from the Naval Register on August 30, 1996, decommissioned and scrapped. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4; www.navsource.org/archives)

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

Post-launch view of the USS Benicia. The all-aluminum patrol gunboat was successfully launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new shipyard on the Hylebos on December 20, 1969. She had been christened by Mrs. W.F. Petrovic, the wife of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's commander. Tacoma's shipbuilders were very busy during the 1960's with orders from the US Navy as well as from individuals, particularly those seeking big fishing vessels. Both Western Boat Building and Tacoma Boatbuilding would operate from new, larger plants on the Hylebos in 1969. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

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

Boat launching. With a mighty swing, Mrs. W.F. Petrovic christened the new patrol gunboat, the USS Benicia, at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new $3,000,000 shipyard on the Hylebos Waterway on December 20, 1969. Mrs. Petrovic was the wife of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's commander. The 165-foot vessel, PG-96, was made entirely of aluminum. The Benicia was the 10th of 12 165-foot gunboats being built for the Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. She would be commissioned in April of 1970. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 4-20-69, B-19; TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

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

Boat launching. Saturday, December 20, 1969, saw two major boat launchings in Tacoma. Mrs. W.F. Petrovic, wife of the commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, was the sponsor at the launching of the USS Benicia at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. She is standing with her family in pre-launching ceremonies. The 165-foot all-aluminum patrol gunboat was the first to be launched from one of the plant's 350-foot double ways. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

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

Boat launching. The YFB-87 is pictured on December 18, 1969, as she slid down the ways at Western Boat Building's new plant at 1720 Marine View Dr. on the Hylebos Waterway. The 165-foot double-ended car and passenger ferry was built for the Navy and would be towed to Hawaii in May of 1970. She was patterned after the Hiyu which now traveled between Point Defiance and Vashon Island. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co.

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

Boat launching. The Hawaii-bound ferry, YFB-87, was successfully launched at Western Boat Building's new facilities on the Hylebos Waterway on December 18, 1969. The 165-foot car and passenger ferry had a 38 car/500 passenger capacity. Built for the U.S. Navy, she would be towed to Hawaii in May of 1970, for use traveling to and from Ford Island to Pearl Harbor. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co. (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)

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

The YFB-87, built for the U.S. Navy, was the first vessel launched from Western Boat Building's new shipbuilding plant at 1720 Marine View Dr. N.E. on the Hylebos Waterway. The 165-foot ferry, christened by Mary Petrich, slid down the ways on December 18, 1969. This ferry was not built to operate in Washington waters but instead was towed to Hawaii where she was used for the Pearl Harbor - Ford Island runs. She was completed in May, 1970 and christened "Moko Holo Hele" which means "Ship that goes back and forth". YFB-87 is no longer in service between Pearl Harbor and Ford Island. She went out of service when the Admiral Bernard "Chick" Clarey Bridge opened in April, 1998. (Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co.) (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)

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

Boat launching. Mary Petrich, daughter of Western Boat Building vice-president James Petrich, christens the new Pearl-Harbor bound YFB-87 ferry on December 18, 1969. The traditional bottle of champagne has exploded upon impact. The YFB-87 ferry was the first vessel launched at Western Boat's new shipbuilding plant on the Hylebos Waterway. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co. (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Petrich, Mary;

Sea trials. Color photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. of the tuna seiner, "Mary Antoinette," as she churns through the waters of Commencement Bay during ship trials on December 15, 1969. The white ship makes a striking appearance as waves break over her bow; in constrast to the white fishing boat, the blue of the sky seamlessly melds into the clear blue water. After passing her sea trials, the "Mary Antoinette" would be delivered to her San Diego-area owner, Capt. John Zolezzi, Jr. TPL-9476

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

Sea trials. The tuna seiner, "Mary Antoinette," is pictured on December 15, 1969, undergoing sea trials before she is delivered to her San Diego owner & captain, John Zolezzi, Jr. The fishing boat was built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation and launched on October 11, 1969. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. TPL-9450

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

Delivery. Carl Albertson (at left) and Dick Fenger are apparently exchanging paperwork regarding the delivery of Washington Iron Works' heavy duty equipment by Widing Transportation Co. in mid-November, 1969. Widing Transportation arranged for heavy hauling through several West Coast states and up to British Columbia by St. Johns Motor Express, a division of the company. Mr. Albertson was one of the top two drivers for Widing at the time. Mr. Fenger was the head of its heavy haul division. The large piece of equipment shown above has been identified by a reader as a portion of a "spar pole" used to pull logs up the hill to a landing where they would be loaded onto a logging truck. Seattle's Washington Iron Works specialized in manufacturing equipment for the logging industry. Photograph ordered by Widing Transportation Co., Portland. (Identification and information provided by a reader)

Trucks--Washington; Shipping--Washington; Widing Transportation Co. (Portland, OR); Albertson, Carl; Fenger, Dick;

An unidentified man is partially obscured by the blast of steam as he is cleaning the exterior of the Widing Transportation truck to ready it for repairs on November 1, 1969. The truck was parked at a terminal in the 24000 block of Pacific Hwy. S., in the Midway area. The building shown above was called the "wash rack" which was used to clean and purify the tanks inside. Widing Transporattion, a long distance hauler, operated from British Columbia, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington and California. Photograph ordered by Widing Transportation Co., Portland. (Information provided by a reader)

Trucks--Washington; Shipping--Washington; Widing Transportation Co. (Portland, OR); Cleaning;

Boat launching. The 160-foot all-aluminum ferry, the "Avalon," was successfully launched on October 25, 1969, by Martinolich Shipbuilding from their plant on the Port Industrial Waterway. The sleek vessel had a 27-foot beam and tipped the scale at 182 tons displacement. Four marine gas turbines powered the twin variable-pitch propellors. The "Avalon" was built for Holiday Services for use in shuttling passengers to Santa Catalina, about 26 miles from Los Angeles. She could carry up to 500 passengers with speeds of 25-28 knots. Built for more than $2,000,000, the "Avalon" would be delivered to the San Pedro area about two weeks after its launch date. Mrs. Robert Sprague, wife of one of the ship's owners, had christened the vessel with the traditional bottle of champagne. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-12-69, D-12; TNT 10-27-69, p. 6) tnt (A)-052A

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Mrs. Robert Sprague of Los Angeles performs the customary duties of ship sponsor as she christens the new all-aluminum ferry, "Avalon," at Martinolich Shipbuilding, on the Port Industrial Waterway, on October 25, 1969. Mrs. Sprague was the wife of one of the ship's owners. The "Avalon" was the largest all-aluminum passenger ferry ever built and would be delivered to Holiday Services in San Pedro, California, two weeks after launching. The ferry, with a 27-foot beam, could carry up to 500 people at once. She would be used to shuttle passengers to Santa Catalina, some 26 miles from Los Angeles. With a maximum speed of 28 knots, the "Avalon" would replace outdated and too expensive steamships. Martinolich built a big new shipshed, with height of 40-feet, to house the ferry while under construction. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 11-20-68, p. 1; TNT 10-12-69, D-12; TNT 10-27-69, p. 6)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sprague, Robert--Family;

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);

Pre-launching. The family of Capt. John Zolezzi, Jr., owner and skipper of the "Mary Antoinette" happily posed for a group portrait standing before the new tuna seiner on October 11, 1969. Mrs. Zolezzi, holding the traditional spray of red roses, was the ship's sponsor. The Zolezzis hailed from the San Diego area. The "Mary Antoinette" was built by local firm J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9449

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