The "Golden Glow" fishing vessel built by Peterson Boat Building Company. Boat moving through water, creating wave, with crew aboard. She was photographed on February 12, 1951.

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

The Hortensia-Bertin sits in the ways building at Tacoma Boat Building ready for launching into Commencement Bay. The large tuna clipper was designed by Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, and measured 103' x 24'10". O.E. Bertin would be her captain. She would have outstanding communication capabilities with radiophone and code instruments, a Northern Radio sending set and a National receiver. She was capable of carrying a crew of 20 and 185 tons of fish at 10 knots. Her home port was to be Tegucigalpa, Honduras. (TNT, 1/5/1950, p.21; Pacific Fisherman, April 1950, p.26; Pacific Fisherman, October 1950, p.12) TPL-9024

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

Launching of the John N. Cobb at Western Boat. L-R, Mrs. Emmett Egan and Mrs. Margaret E. Johnson, wife of Captain Sheldon W. Johnson, stand ready to christen the John N. Cobb, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service exploratory vessel. She was named after John N. Cobb, the first Dean of the School of Fisheries of the University of Washington, who had also served with the United States Bureau of Fisheries. Ordered for the Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. (Marine Digest, 2/4/1950)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Egan, Emmett--Family; Johnson, Margaret E.;

Tacoma Boat Building recently completed diesel tuna clipper, the Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa was designed by Arthur De Fever of San Pedro, California. The Yolande-Bertin was considered a wonderful addition to the impressive Pacific Tuna Clipper Fleet. View of Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa, a diesel tuna clipper out on Tacoma's Commencement Bay (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1950). TPL-9018

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

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Three men and woman with bouquet and ceremonial champagne bottle. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

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

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Ship inside wooden building. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

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

Birchfield Boiler company were builders of the famous "Birchfield Boiler", they also specialized in building tanks, hot water heaters, pipes, stacks and various types of vessels. Birchfield Boiler, Inc. was located on 2503 East 11th Street in Tacoma's tideflats area; the plant was on the Port Industrial Waterway, now known as the Blair Waterway. View of Birchfield Boiler built "Situk", a 48 foot by 16 foot by 28 inch power scow built for Libby McNeill and Libby.

Barges--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

William Skansie (far left) and the crew of the Skansie's Shipbuilding Company stand in front of a 59-foot fishing boat that was completed in April of 1949. The yet un-named seiner was the first fishing boat to be built at the Skansie shipyard in Gig Harbor since 1930. John Cosulich (sixth from the left) had been foreman at the Skansie plant for 37 years. This Skansie fishing boat was designed by J. A. Martinolich of San Francisco, California. Skansie's Shipbuilding Company was owned and operated by William Skansie and Mitchell Skansie Jr. (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). TPL-8339

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, William;

J. M. Martinac was founded in 1924, they had a large site where they had ship building operations, marine repair shop and a marine railway. They built fishing boats and work boats. Their advertisements said "A Martinac-Built boat is your guarantee of complete satisfaction". View of "Oregon", a 55 foot tuna clipper. TPL-8921

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

Deep Sea 140 foot long range trawler, it will be able to prepare King crabs and fish from the water to the consumer. The vessel will have the machinery needed to sort and clean the crab, steam cook, wash with fresh water, weigh and freeze and package in aluminum foil. "Deep Sea" was the first Pacific-built fishing and processing vessel of her type, the boat was built for Deep Sea Trawlers, Inc. (Pacific Fisherman, July 1947, p. 40-41).

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

Peterson Boat Building. Three men inspect some of the machinery in the hold of a boat. Two of the housings are named "Baker". Baker manufactured refrigeration systems for fishing boats. TPL-8930

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Engines; Engine rooms--Tacoma; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1 took part in a drill with the Coast Guard, demonstrating the city's ability to fight a waterfront fire. The city's fire boat and five Coast Guard fire fighting barges went through their paces, shooting 50 streams of water high into the air. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

In May of 1943, Tacoma Fireboat #1 was used to patrol Tacoma's 36 miles of marine shoreline. Tacoma's first fireboat, it was launched in 1929 and served for 53 years, putting out waterfront fires and responding to emergencies such as sinking vessels and water rescues. During the war years, the city fire department and the Coast Guard patrolled waterfront businesses looking for fire hazards and awarding Waterfront Defense "Good Housekeeping" pennants. Fireboat #1 was retired from service in 1982 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989. She is displayed in a permanent dry berth at Marine Park off Ruston Way. The long, low and narrow riveted steel hulled vessel is 96.6 feet in length and could reach speeds of up to 15 knots. She is one of 10 vessels constructed as fireboats greater than 50 years of age left in the US. Of the five 1920's fireboats, she is the least modified and has not undergone extensive modernization. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p.14; National Park Service website under Maritime Heritage Program) TPL-8671

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950;

City Firemen and their Fireboat #1, pictured, cooperated with the Coast Guard in an exercise on May 7, 1943 demonstrating their ability to cope with waterfront fires. The fireboat and the Coast Guard's five fire barges drilled off Old Town Dock, pumping a combined 23,700 gallons of water a minute. The drill also called attention to the last few days of the Tacoma Waterfront Defense Committee's clean up drive. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p. 14)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

The Rudder Club was planning autumn activities for members and their guests in October of 1947. They had recently hosted a hat show, were in the process of planning bridge games and a member ferry party. View of Rudder Club members aboard the "Lincoln" ferry, band members can be seen on upper level.

Ferries--Tacoma; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Celebrations--Tacoma; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

Aerial view of "General M. M. Patrick" troop ship with military personnel aboard, photo ordered by Columbia Breweries.

Ships--Tacoma; Military personnel--Tacoma; Aerial photographs;

Birchfield Boiler, 57' x 16' 4" seiner. Possibly the Esther B. This purse seiner is seen from the starboard side.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Boat is completing and will deliver "Liberty" by September 1948. "Liberty" is a 100 foot, 400 horsepower, all brine tuna boat, purchased by Edward X. Madruga, of San Diego, California for $250,000. The boat was christened by Laura Schore at a ceremony held at the boat yard. This vessel was designed by James J. Petrich. View of "Liberty" in foreground, downtown Tacoma in background (T. Times, 5/26/48, p. 12). TPL-8957

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

Ship being towed under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by tugboat from Foss Launch and Tug Company. View from above looking toward Point Fosdick as ship is towed north and approaches bridge. The "Donna Foss" is towing the much larger ship, the "Republic," on March 18, 1952. Assisting her is the "Agnes Foss" at the "Republic's" stern. On the other side of the ex-military transport but not seen is another tug, the "Wedell Foss."

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;

The Donna Foss tugboat from Foss Launch & Tug Co. has just towed a much larger ship, the ex-German military transport vessel, the "Republic", under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in a photograph taken on March 18, 1952. Fellow tugboats, the Agnes Foss and the Wedell Foss, are aiding in the tow. The "Republic" has a long voyage scheduled; it is on its way to the Panama Canal and then onto the East Coast where it will be scrapped. Tugboats are powerful boats designed to guide and pull vessels many times their weight. Foss Launch & Tug is a long-time Tacoma firm, established in the late 1890's by Thea and Andrew Foss. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

The 590 foot ex-military transport vessel, the "Republic", is being pulled along under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, the Donna Foss, in March, 1952. The Donna Foss is being aided by two fellow tugs, the Wedell Foss and the Agnes Foss. The tugboats, although dwarfed in size by the much bigger vessel they tow, are designed to guide and pull boats despite the disparity in sizes. More powerful diesel engines, added in the early 1950's, allowed tugboats to maneuver in deep ocean waters. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TPL-2158, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

The MSB #15 was one of two minesweepers launched at Tacoma Boat Building Company in September 1952. The MSBs were 57-foot minesweepers. Tacoma Boat would build five of the craft. (TNT, 9/21/1952, p.B-4)

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

The AMS 115 was the second 144 foot minesweeper to be built at Tacoma Boat Building Company in 1952. AMS 113 was launched in July 1952. The 115 is seen here as she was launched at the boatyard.

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

Jovial L. Evert Landon poses with thirteen young women on the deck of a boat, possibly the Cardian, on May 19, 1951. The young women are wearing shorts and sneakers. A man wearing a suit and two more people are seen along the side of the boat. Mr. Landon was the president of Nalley's Fine Foods at the time of this picture. Ordered by Nalley's Inc.

Boats--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Business people--Tacoma--1950-1960; Landon, L. Evert;

Launching the "Historic" at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. The new tuna clipper was built for Oliver Verissimo and Assoc. of San Diego. She was powered by a 615-hp Enterprise diesel, two 150-hp GM diesels, 120-kw auxiliaries and she had refrigeration capacity of 240 tons. She could carry a crew of 15 and she was a sister ship to "Mona Lisa" and "Royal Pacific". A fourth sister ship was on the way. (TNT, 7/8/1951; Marine Digest 7/14/1951) TPL-9050

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

Mansfield Corporation, located at 2928 South "K" St., were boat builders. An example of their boat construction was this Mansfield Custom Line pleasure craft on display at 2201 Pacific Avenue. It was either 16 feet or 20 feet long. This sleek model may have been a speed boat. Other boats can be seen dimly in the building's garage. Photograph ordered by Mansfield Corporation.

Mansfield Corporation (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Three men look intently at an Evinrude motor catalog in a 1958 photograph. They may be comparing the catalog to the new Evinrude model before them. Dangling flags are advertising a "dreamboat contest" sponsored by Evinrude where the winner would be able to choose his own boat and motor with a cash bonus thrown in. The contest would begin February 22 and end on March 23. The Evinrude motors were advertised as being safe, sound-sealed and quiet. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW television.

Boat engines; Boats; Signs (Notices);

Launching of the AM 504, the second of three 171 foot minesweepers to be launched at Tacoma Boat Building. The keel was laid on the AM 504 October 25, 1953 and expected delivery to the Tacoma Naval Station for outfitting was November of 1955. On completion, the ship would be turned over to a foreign nation. Mrs. Charles S. Weeks, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station, would be the sponsor and her seven year old daughter June would be the flower girl. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. B-6)

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

Commercial fishing boats lined up along the pier in Tacoma's new Fishing Boat Haven in January of 1954. In 1953, the Port of Tacoma spent $225,000 to build the boat haven on one of the branches of the Blair Waterway. The manager of the port at that time reported that 52 boats of various sizes were using the haven, and the big net shed next to the pier was 70% full. (TNT 1/17/1954, pg. B-2)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

The ship's crew and officials were all on deck for the commissioning ceremony for the USS Endurance, # 435, on March 20, 1954. Broadcast over radio station KTNT, Rear Admiral A. M. Bledsoe was the principal speaker. Built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., the Endurance was the first AM-type minesweeper to pass her acceptance trials on her first try. This was the first formal commissioning of a Navy vessel in Tacoma at the Tacoma Naval Station since World War II. Command of the vessel was turned over to Lt. L. E. Martin. The Endurance joined the Pacific Fleet in California following its shakedown cruise. The 171-foot Endurance was the first of nine minesweepers of this class built by Martinac in Tacoma. (TNT 3-14-54, B-4, TNT 3-19-54, p. 1)

Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960;