The Washington Navigation Company ferry " Vashonia" out of Gig Harbor is pictured approaching the Point Defiance ferry landing in July of 1937. The ferry to the right is the "Fox Island." Signs indicate that the cars and people on the pier are loading for Gig Harbor. The Washington Navigation Company, under the direction of president Mitchell Skansie, ran ferries between Tacoma and the Peninsula. It had recently come under criticism from commuters opposed to new ferry rates and changes to the schedule. The small building to the left of the pier has doors for the men's and ladies' restrooms facing out. A sign on the other side of the building indicates that it is "Louie's Lunch." Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company. TPL-9858 (T.Times 7-13-37, p. 7-article on ferry changes)

Ferries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

Automobiles loading onto ferry at Titlow ferry dock.

Ferries--Tacoma; Marine terminals--Tacoma;

Washington Navigation Company's "Defiance" ferry pulling into Titlow ferry landing. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company.

Ferries--Tacoma; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

Washington Navigation Company's "Defiance" ferry pulling into Point Defiance landing where automobiles are waiting. This scene was photographed in July of 1937. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company. (Corrected information provided by a reader)

Ferries--Tacoma; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

Washington Navigation Company ferries. Two women work as galley crew preparing coffee and pancakes for travelers. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company.

Ferries--Tacoma; Galleys (Ship kitchens); Cooks; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

Washington Navigation Company's "Vashonia" ferry near pilings of ferry landing in July of 1937. The landing is Point Defiance which serviced Gig Harbor and Tahlequah. Vashon Island with the Tahlequah landing is in the background. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Ferries--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor); Vashon Island (Wash.);

Washington Navigation Company's "Vashonia" ferry steaming through waters of Puget Sound. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company.

Ferries--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

Passenger steamer, the " Arcadia", one of the Mosquito Fleet vessels, steams out of Commencement Bay with carriers from the Times newpaper aboard. The event is the annual Times carriers picnic. (T. Times, 7/12/1937, p. 5).

Ferries--1930-1940; Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940; Newspaper carriers--Tacoma; Newspaper vendors--Tacoma; Recreation--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma);

The bow of the passenger steamer " Arcadia" pulls up to a wharf. On board, carriers from the Times newspaper wave to the photographer. The event was the Times carriers picnic. Industries in the background include Western Ornamental Iron. The Arcadia was often rented for outings. By 1941, demand for the steamer had decreased so much that she was retired, the last of the fleet of pioneer steamers.

Ferries--1930-1940; Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940; Newspaper carriers--Tacoma; Newspaper vendors--Tacoma; Recreation--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma);

In July of 1937 the Tacoma Times newspaper chartered the steamer Arcadia to carry several hundred Times carriers from Tacoma to Redondo Beach for the annual carriers picnic. A "perfect day" marked the outing which included athletic events of all kinds and plenty of food for all. The carriers returned at the end of the day with no injuries or untoward events to report. (T. Times 7/12/1937 p.5).

Ferries--1930-1940; Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940; Newspaper carriers--Tacoma; Newspaper vendors--Tacoma; Recreation--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma);

In 1937, you could ride the steamer Virginia V, operated by the West Pass Transportation Company, twice a day from Tacoma to Seattle. It left the Tacoma Municipal Dock at 7:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m, and returned from Seattle at 1:10p.m. and 7:45 p.m. A round trip ticket sold for 60 cents. They also ran a Sunday excursion trip that left Tacoma at 3:30 p.m. and returned at 8:30 p.m. The Virginia V, built in 1922, was 120 ft. in length with a 24-foot beam and a capacity of 325 passengers. She operated between Tacoma and Seattle from 1922 to 1940 carrying passengers by way of the West Pass of Puget Sound. (T.Times 8/27/1937 p.5)

Ferries--1930-1940; West Pass Transportation Co. (Tacoma); Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940;

West Pass Transportation Company "Virginia V" ferry on Tacoma waterway.

Ferries--1930-1940; West Pass Transportation Co. (Tacoma); Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940;

Side view of "Virginia V" ferry on Tacoma waterway. Ferry owned by West Pass Transportation Company. Glimpse of Western Fibre Furniture Company building in background.

Ferries--1930-1940; West Pass Transportation Co. (Tacoma); Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940;

Nine little "sailors" and one "Gallant Lady" are at hand on November 7, 1937. The "Gallant Lady" was a Sea Scouts vessel. The little children, dressed in sailor suits, are listening to a man who is explaining charts to them. According to photographer Boland's notes, these children were dancers. G23.1-115

Boats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Fireboat on Puget Sound. Artistic view of five men on upper level of boat by waterjets.

Vessels - Boats - Fireboats - Tacoma

Fireboat on Puget Sound. Four men ride on the railing of the fireboat.

Vessels - Boats - Fireboats - Tacoma

Fireboat on Puget Sound. Artistic view of four men watching a firefighter demonstrate the maneuverability of a large water jet mounted on the fireboat. Tideflat industry in the background.

Vessels - Boats - Fireboats - Tacoma

Fireboat on Puget Sound. Firefighters spray water from equipment mounted on the stern of the fireboat.

Vessels - Boats - Fireboats - Tacoma

Tony Hull's children at beach. Young boy straining to row a boat across the water. Long wharf in background.

Vessels - Boats - Row Boats

ca. 1939. Unidentified captain in suit and hat at controls of boat. Photograph taken circa 1939.

Boats--1930-1940;

The launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer 408, the U. S. S. Wilson, took place April 12, 1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton. At 90% complete, the vessel was 341-feet-long with 1725 tons displacement. It carried a complement of 9 officers and 175 men. It was commissioned July 5, 1939 and received eleven battle stars for service in World War II. After sustaining damage during the war, it was selected as a target during the atom bomb test at Bikini Atoll in July of 1946. It was decommissioned in August of 1946 but remained afloat and was finally scuttled off Kwajelein in March of 1948. (T. Times, 4/13/39, p.20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer #408, the U. S. S. Wilson, on April 12, 1939. The ship was decorated with pennants and bunting and photographed at dock in the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton. Ship launchings at the Navy yard differed from those at Tacoma Shipyards. The craft was built in a construction dock which was flooded for launching, much like a bathtub. The launching consisted of the gates being opened and the boat towed out into the Sound. The destroyer under construction in the background was almost entirely submerged during the ceremony. (T. Times 4/13/1939, p. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

The destroyer USS Wilson (#408) was launched April 12,1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. On hand for the launching were, left to right, Rear Admiral E. B. Fenner, Mrs. Fenner (sponsor), Governor Clarence Martin, Mrs. Arthur B. Langlie, Major General Walter C. Sweeney. Mrs. Sweeney, and Seattle Mayor Arthur Langlie. The vessel was named after Seaman Charles Wilson, who was recognized for distinguished service in the Navy during the Civil War. (T.Times 4/13/1939, pg. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton);Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Mayors--Seattle; Fenner, Edward B.; Sweeney, Walter C.;

ca. 1940. Three people on small wooden vessel docked in marina. Names of individuals and location not provided for this circa 1940 photograph. (T. Times).

Boats--1940-1950;

Ferry boats. The "Defiance" steamer on the Sound. Island in background. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

Ferryboats for Mr. Peterson. The ferry "Vashonia" in front, with two other ferries docked behind in this late January, 1940, photograph.

Ferries--1940-1950;

Ferry boats. The "Defiance." Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

The ferries "Vashonia," "Fox Island," and "The City of Steilacoom" are moored side-by-side in January of 1940. The increasing number of cars and need for fast service for commuters led to the building of many ferries in the 1920's. They were swift and comfortable and due to the lack of major bridges, a more convenient way to travel for those living on the Olympic peninsula than driving for miles on often bad roads. These three ferries had been built by the Skansie (Brothers) Shipbuilding Co. in Gig Harbor for their Washington Navigation Company. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

Ferry Boats. "Vashonia" at ferry landing. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Vessels; Ferries;

Ticket for the last ferry ride across the Narrows, on July 2, 1940 aboard the Kalakala. Ferry service was being suspended due to the opening of the first Narrows Bridge and locals could become a part of history for only one dollar. The Young Mens Business Club (YMBC) was sponsoring the ride as part of the 6 day celebration of the joint dedication of the Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. Over 1400 revellers boarded the ferry at the Tacoma Municipal, Point Defiance or Gig Harbor docks for the rollicking four hour ride to Bremerton and back. The entertainment included music and dancing with period costumes optional. TPL-6714, TPL-6725.

Kalakala (Ferry); Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ferries--Tacoma;