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.);
These two members of the Coast Guard took part in the May 7, 1943 fire fighting drill off the Old Town Dock. The pair are aboard one of the smaller CG fire barges. These smaller barges were designed to fight fires under the docks. They could pump 600 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
The three larger Coast Guard fire barges assigned to Tacoma are photographed in formation on May 7, 1943. They were taking part in a drill along the Tacoma waterfront. The Coast Guard had a total of five barges assigned to Tacoma. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1, as well as five Coast Guard fire fighting barges, took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The group was showing their ability to effectively stamp out waterfront fires. They were also calling attention to the clean up drive along the front sponsored by the Waterfront Defense Committee. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
Three of the Coast Guard's fire barges are photographed during the May 7, 1943 drill off Old Town Dock. The vessels can pump 4,000 gallons of water a minute each and move very quickly across the water. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
A spray of water calls attention to a May 7, 1943 fire fighting drill off the Old Town Dock. Participating are Tacoma's Fireboat #1 and five Coast Guard fire barges assigned to Tacoma. Together the vessels can pump over 23,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
Tacoma's Fireboat #1, with several streams of water shooting into the air, demonstrates its ability to defend the waterfront from fire during a May 7, 1943 drill. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
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.);
Coast Guard off Old Town Dock in Commencement Bay with fire barges. The fire barges are displaying streams of water used to extinguish marine fires. Brown's Point is visible in the background. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p.14.)
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
Coast Guard off Old Town Dock in Commencement Bay with five fire barges during a May 7, 1943 drill with the city's Fireboat #1. The fire barges are displaying streams of water used to extinguish marine fires. The three larger barges could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. The two smaller vessels in the center were designed for fighting fires under docks. They could pump 600 gallons a minute. (T.Times, 5/8/1943, pg. 3; 5/10/43, p.14.)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;
On May 7, 1943, five Coast Guard fire fighting barges took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock, showing their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. Also participating in the drill was Tacoma's Fireboat #1. The three larger barges can be seen in the background with the two smaller ones, designed to fight fires under docks, in the center. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;
Tacoma's Fireboat #1, shown underway, participated in a May 7, 1943 drill, showing its effectiveness in fighting waterfront fires. The drill was part of a campaign to clean up debris along the waterfront, removing fodder for deliberately set fires. The number one enemy of our port and waterfront defense industries was fire. (T. Times 5/8.1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
On May 7, 1943, five fire barges from the Coast Guard took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The drill was intended to show their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. The three larger barges are pictured. They could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
One of the three Coast Guard fire barges stationed to protect Tacoma's waterfront showed off its water pumping abilities in May of 1943. U.S. Coast Guard inspectors were visiting Tacoma to look for fire hazards and award "Good Housekeeping" pennants to the waterfront businesses that had eliminated fire hazards on their property. Accumulations of waste wood and bark, drifting logs and oil on pilings and bulkheads were the most serious problems found. The fire barges were propelled by two engines at the rear and could scoot around the waterfront at very rapid speed. (T. Times 5/10/1943 p.14)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
One of the five Coast Guard fire barges stationed in Tacoma showed off its pumping ability during a May 7, 1943 drill. The barges were propelled by two engines at the rear and could move across the water very rapidly. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
View of USS Crockett. The USS Crockett was one of 17 gunboats in the Asheville class. Tacoma Boatbuilding had a government contract to build seven of these patrol gunboats, each costing 2.5 million dollars. The Crockett was the third to be launched. Nearly 165 feet in length, the Crockett could accelerate from 0 to 40 knots in 60 seconds. The aluminum ship had approximately 230 tons displacement weight and was powered by a gas turbine. It was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding on June 4, 1966, with christening honors performed by Mrs. Charles Horjes of Tacoma. After service in South Vietnam, it would be transferred to the Naval Reserve Force in 1975 and decommissioned in 1976. (TNT 2-6-66, A-16; TNT 6-5-66, D-15; www.navsource.org/archives/12/11088.htm; www.hobbybarn.com/Dumas-pages/USS-Crocket-1218.htm)
USS Crockett (PG-88) prior to launching. The Asheville Class gunboat was launched at Tacoma Boat Building on June 4, 1966. Powered by a gas turbine, the speedy ship would be commissioned on June 24, 1967, and stationed in South Vietnam where she would be used for coastal patrol, blockade reconnaissance and to give support. The nearly 165-foot gunboat would hold a complement of 4 officers and 33 enlisted men. Tacoma Boat Building had won a government contract to build seven of these Asheville Class vessels. (TNT 2-6-66, A-16, www.navsource.org/archives/12/11088.htm; www.hobbybarn.com/Dumas-pages/USS-Crocket-1218.htm)
With a mighty swing, Jeanne Martin Soares christens the new "Blue Pacific" on March 29, 1967. The vessel was launched at Tacoma Boat Building. She was a 176-foot steel tuna seiner built for Capt. Roger Soares of San Diego who placed her in operation for White Star- Van Camp Seafoods. The "Blue Pacific" was the largest tuna fishing boat built from the keel up at the time. She was constructed in the Port Industrial Yard (the former Tacoma Naval Station) by Tacoma Boat Building. Moments after the christening, the "Blue Pacific" eased down the ways and came to a standstill before she finally floated free. Five Foss tugs assisted when the boat was hung up. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building. (TNT 3-12-67, A-23, TNT 3-29-67, A-1) TPL-9061 (Corrected identification provided by a reader)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Soares, Jeanne Martin;
Launching of the "Jeanette C." Built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, the tuna clipper "Jeanette C" was launched on June 6, 1967 at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Plant 2 in the Port Industrial Yard. View of lauching participants in front of the fishing boat, the second of four planned tuna seiners, and the sister ship to the 176-foot "Blue Pacific" previously launched on March 29th. 15-year-old Jeanette Caboz, daughter of skipper-to-be and part owner Manuel Caboz, holds a large bouquet of roses. She christened the ship that is named in her honor. Also pictured is Mrs. William Gillis who assisted Miss Caboz. Presiding at the launching was Tacoma Boat's president, Arnold J. Strom. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 6-6-67, p. 26, TNT 6-7-67, C-4) TPL-8857
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Caboz, Jeanette;
Floating cannery docked near Tacoma Marine Supply. The "Princess Roxane" was a former ferry known as the Tourist No. 3 that shuttled across the mouth of the Columbia River until the Astoria-Megler bridge was completed in 1966. After sale and renovation, she was renamed the "Princess Roxane," a self-propelled floating King crab processor. Her car deck had been fitted with live tanks with a capacity of 9,000 large size Alaska king crab and her passenger cabin was rebuilt to provide a crew of 18 with living and dining areas. She was part of the Pacific Pearl Seafoods and would join the floating shrimp cannery at Kodiak. Canning operations on board would be able to process 650 cases of 24 cans of crab each eight hour shift. (TNT 6-11-67, D-19,www.cimorelli.com/cgi-bin/magellanscripts/ship_bio1.asp?ShipName=Tourist +No.+3...) (Additional information provided by a reader)
The 154-foot tuna seiner, the J.M. Martinac, is underway on July 18, 1967. A small tugboat, probably from Foss, accompanies the much larger vessel. The J.M. Martinac, named after the founder of Martinac Shipbuilding, was built for San Diego skipper Lou Brito. She was launched on March 27, 1967. This photograph was believed to have been taken from the 11th Street Bridge. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9125
Keeping pace with the new tuna seiner , the J.M. Martinac as she was underway on July 18, 1967, was the Richards Studio photographer on a Harbor Marina charter boat. The Martinac, built for skipper Lou Brito by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., was heading for Southern California. She was 154 feet long and had a payload of 540 tons. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9133a
View from the 11th St. Bridge of the stern of the fishing vessel, the J.M. Martinac, as she is underway on July 18, 1967. Built by the Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., she was launched on March 27, 1967. The ship, piloted by Lou Brito, was headed for the San Diego area. This was the fifth tuna seiner built by Martinac for Capt. Brito. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9126
Waves break over the bow of the J.M. Martinac, tuna seiner, on July 18, 1967, as she makes her way home to Southern California. The ship, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., was launched on March 27th. She was the fifth fishing vessel built for Lou Brito of San Diego by Martinac, and was named after the company's founder. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. TPL-9134c
Preparations are being made for the launching of the 177-foot tuna seiner, the "City of Panama" on February 3, 1968. She would be sliding down the ways at Port Industrial Yard. Built by Tacoma Boatbuilding for Roland Virissimo of San Diego, the "City of Panama" was the second in the Blue Pacific class to be launched in two weeks, after "Bold Venture" on January 20th. The "City of Panama" was powered by a 2,075-horsepower electromotive diesel and could carry up to 925 tons of tuna. She would be used to fish in the waters near Puerto Rico. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 1-30-68, p. 18) TPL-9129
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Drew Foss (2nd from L) is joined by his mother and father, Agnes and Henry Foss and Anthony J. Martinolich (farthest L) during the launching of the towboat Claudia Foss on February 24, 1968, at Martinolich Shipbuilding's Taylor Way yard. The 80-foot vessel was built for Foss Launch & Tug and had a 25-foot beam. It was the first of two towboats being built for Foss; the second, another 80-foot vessel, was scheduled for a May launching. The Fosses kept the tradition of naming their boats after members of the family; the Claudia Foss was named for the daughter-in-law of Barbara Foss Campbell, Wedell Foss' daughter. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding. (TNT 2-25-68, A-8)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss, Agnes S.; Foss, Drew; Martinolich, Anthony J.
The little tug, the Brynn Foss, trails after the newly launched towboat, the Claudia Foss, on February 24, 1968. The 80-foot vessel was built by Martinolich Shipbuilding for Foss Launch & Tug and slipped into the water at its Taylor Way yard. Her keel was laid on December 1, 1967. Delivery of the vessel was scheduled for April 1st. The Claudia Foss was the first of two 80-foot boats being built for Foss with the second, the Martha Foss, scheduled for a May 15, 1968, launching. She was named for Mrs. Duncan (Claudia) Campbell, daughter-in-law of Barbara Foss Campbell. (TNT 2-25-68, A-8)
Civilians and military personnel gathered for the launching of the USS Tacoma, the fourth vessel to bear the city's name, on April 13, 1968. The 165-foot aluminum-hulled boat was the eighth in a series of twelve patrol gunboats built for the Navy by Tacoma Boat Building. It would probably be deployed off the coast of Vietnam. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co.
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
