Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Vessel leaving, framed by the shadows of 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;

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Woman smashing champagne bottle on hull of ship. 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;

The young girl uses the rudder to steer the small sailboat while controlling the sail with a rope. The small sailboat is just large enough for one. The girl appears to be heading into shore. The sailboat is the "Pipsqueak," designed by John Burroughs of Tacoma for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. It could be built from 2 panels of plywood in 2-3 evenings for a cost of around $30.00. Free plans were available, or patterns were available for $1.00. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B -10)

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

With the gaily striped sail blowing gently with the breeze, the young girl fastens it in preparation for taking the small sailboat out. The rudder and its control arm can be seen clearly at the rear of the ship. The girl wears a life jacket. Photographs ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. This sailboat, the "Pipsqueak," was designed for youngsters ages 6-10 to use in an enclosed area where adult supervision was available. The mast can be detached to convert it to a paddle boat. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B-10) TPL-8803

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

Launching of the AM 504 with Foss tugboat. The AM 504 was the second of three 171 ft. minesweepers to be launched by Tacoma Boat Building. The ship was expected to be ready for delivery to the Tacoma Naval Station for outfitting in November of 1955. Mrs. Charles S. Weeks, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station, would be sponsor and her seven year old daughter June would be the flower girl. Cmdr. L.L. MacKinley, the Navy's resident supervisor of shipbuilding, would be the guest speaker. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. B-6) TPL-9246

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

The M.S.A. #491, a 171 foot minesweeper, was scheduled to be launched from the Bayview Shipyard, at the north end of East F St., on April 24, 1955 by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Co. It is the eighth of nine contracted 171 foot minesweepers to be launched. It will be named the U.S.S. Persistent. The keel was laid for the ship in June of 1954. (TNT 4/127/1955, pg. B-7)

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

Dorothy (Mrs. M. Stanley) Erdahl serves as sponsor for the launching of the U.S.S. Persistent (A.M. #491) minesweeper, constructed by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. M. Stanley Erdahl was the current Port Commissioner and an ex-Navy officer who took the first YMS type minesweeper out of the Martinac yard in WWII. She would be assisted at the launching of the 171 ft. minesweeper by Sharon McCoy, daughter of Ed McCoy- Sumner High School's Director of Athletics, who would serve as flower girl. (TNT 4/17/1955, pg. B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Erdahl, Dorothy;

Boat launching. Posing with a beribboned spray of red roses is Anne (Mrs. John S.) McGowan, who was the sponsor of the new fishing boat, the "Anne M." The "Anne M" was launched on Saturday night, June 14, 1969, at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp.'s yard on the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. The 165-foot tuna seiner was the sister ship of the "Conquest," delivered the previous year. The "Anne M" will fish on behalf of Bumble Bee Seafoods in the Astoria waters. She will be captained by Frank Souza of San Diego. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-16-69, p. 29) TPL-9403

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

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);

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. 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);

Oceangoing tugs " Seneca" and "Sioux" were christened at Martinac Shipbuilding facilities on June 13, 1970. View of the "Seneca" in foreground with glimpse of the "Sioux" at left. Both tugs will be based in Seattle but will be utilized in hauling barges to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska. The "Seneca" is already sea-worthy but the "Sioux" still needs outfitting. Photograph ordered by Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-14-70, A-4)

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

Christening of tugboats. Mrs. Edith R. Bullock carries the traditional spray of red roses and a decorated bottle of champagne as she and other principal parties await the christening of the tugboat "Seneca" on June 13, 1970. Another tug, the "Sioux," would also be christened at Martinac Shipbuilding facilities the same day. Both oceangoing vessels were apparently based in Seattle but would haul barges to Alaska's Prudhoe Bay. Standing next to and behind the flowers of the sponsor, Mrs. Bullock, is J.S. Martinac of the shipbuilding firm. Other dignitaries are not identified. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-14-70, A-4 article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Bullock, Edith R.; Martinac, J.S.;

Champagne explodes as Mrs. William M. Allen, wife of the Boeing president, formally christens the hydrofoil PCH-1, High Point, on August 17, 1962, at Martinac Shipbuilding. Naval dignitaries look on while a small girl holds Mrs. Allen's bouquet of roses. The High Point was the first wave of Boeing hydrofoils. It was a 110-foot submarine chaser that used four propellers. Foils would create lift raising the hull of the aluminum structure out of the water. (www.boeing.com/history, TNT 7-31-62, A-1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hydroplanes--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Allen, William M.--Family;

Two men stroll toward a parked Ford truck with two Fairliner cruisers on board. The Dudley Co., Auburn, Washington, truck appears ready to leave the Fairliner plant in late April, 1963. It cautions motorists that it is bearing a wide load. Fairliner was a division of Western Boat Building Co. Its pleasure boats were especially adaptable to this area's choppy waters. Fairliner, as the advertising signs noted, also was expanding into the home and commercial buildings market with the use of pre-engineered products. Photograph ordered by Novaco Co.

Boats--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

The Brynn Foss tugboat provides welcome assistance to the newly launched minesweeper MSI-14 on October 26, 1963. The ship was built by Tacoma Boat Building Co. and apparently launched at the Pacific Boat Yard. She was the second of a series of wooden-hulled, non-magnetic Navy minesweepers ordered from Tacoma Boat Building. The 110-foot craft carried a crew of 18. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co. (TNT 10-25-63, p. 28., TNT 10-27-63, A-8) TPL-9250

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

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.

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);

The stern of the USS Tacoma. The USS Tacoma was successfully launched, bow-first, into the waters of Commencement Bay on April 13, 1968. The PG-92 was the eighth in a series of twelve Asheville Class patrol gunboats being built by Tacoma Boat Building for the U.S. Navy. The sleek boat was powered by two 750-horsepower diesels for normal cruising conditions and turbine for high speeds in excess of 40 knots. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (TNT 4-14-68, A-4)

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

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)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

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)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

View of gill-netter, the Sweepstakes, on August 1, 1966. Photograph ordered by William Vine, Sumner.

Fishing boats--Tacoma;

Launching sponsor. Miss Tacoma of 1969, Terri Louise Bale, raises her wrapped bottle of champagne prior to christening the Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp.'s new tugboat, the "Betsy L," on Saturday, December 21, 1968. The tugboat was built for Knappton Towing Co. of Portland. Miss Bale, age 19 and a Tacoma Community College freshman, was crowned Miss Tacoma on November 30, 1968 at the Fellowship Hall. A self-taught pianist, she won the talent contest. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Bale. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 12-1-68, p. 1, TNT 12-2-68, p. 6, TNT 12-22-68, C-19)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bale, Terri Louise; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Launching party. Clutching the traditional bouquet of long stem red roses is Mary (Mrs. John) Silveira who was the sponsor of the tuna seiner, "Cheryl Marie," which was launched at 7:45 a.m. on December 7, 1968. Next to her is Mary (Mrs. Joe) Silveira who was her attendant. Both women are warmly dressed against the winter cold in knee-length coats with fur trim. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. TPL-9219

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Silveira, John--Family; Silveira, Mary; Silveira, Joe--Family; Roses--Tacoma;

Launching party. Mary (Mrs. Arthur) Ferreira holds a bouquet of long stem red roses and cradles a bottle of champagne prior to the launching of the tuna seiner, "M/V Atlantis," on Saturday evening, August 12, 1972. She would have the honor of christening the new fishing boat. Standing alongside Mrs. Ferreira is her husband, the captain and participating owner of the "Atlantis," and another family member, possibly a daughter. The 237-foot boat tuna seiner was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding at a cost of $3,000,000. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 8-14-72, p. 27 -article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ferreira, Arthur--Family; Ferreira, Mary; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Participants in the official launching of the "Sea Royal" posed for a group portrait on November 11, 1972, with the large 225-foot tuna seiner looming behind them. The fishing boat, built for Vivian Ann Fisheries Corporation, was launched from Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities on the Hylebos Waterway. Denise Andrade, wearing a white fur hat and red coat, was the ship's sponsor. She is the daughter of Captain Manuel Andrade of San Diego, president of the owning firm. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 11-7-72, p. 24 -article; TNT 11-11-72, B-6 -article)

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

The "Kavik." The new tugboat, the "Kavik," is pictured on May 21, 1973, traveling through the Hylebos Waterway. She was a new addition to the PAC line which was an ocean going firm based in Tacoma. Photograph ordered by PAC.

Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

Launching. If you think this fishing boat looks larger than normal, you are correct. This is the "Apollo;" at 258-feet long with a 44-foot beam, it was the world's largest tuna clipper in 1970. The $3,000,000 boat was under construction at Tacoma Boatbuilding for one year. Tacoma Boatbuilding had built 12 out of the 25 tuna boats built locally in the last eight years. The "Apollo" was launched on Saturday, October 24, 1970, at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Hylebos plant. She was the largest boat built by the firm and would remain in Tacoma until December of 1970 for final outfitting and acceptance trials. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (TNT 10-23-70, p. 11- article; TNT 10-25-70, B-9) TPL-9528

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