Children perched high on a ladder get a good bird's eye view on May 15, 1953, of the launching of two vessels built by the Tacoma Boat Building Co. for the Navy. They, and the large group of spectators, listen intently to a guest speaker at the podium. The two 57-foot minesweepers, MSB-16 and MSB-17, were launched within minutes of each other. (TNT 5-17-53, B-7)

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

ca. 1953. Launching of naval ship #445, named the U.S.S. Force, the fourth of a series of nine 171 ft. minesweepers to be built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. Mrs. Thomas D. Wilson, wife of the Commander of the Bremerton Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, was sponsor, assisted by Judith K. Ross as flower girl. M.S. Erdahl served as the master of ceremonies and Rear Admiral Charles D. Wheelock, inspector general for the Navy's bureau of ships, was the principal speaker. Other Naval dignitaries included Rear Admiral H.E. Haven, Commandant of the Puget Sound Naval shipyard, Capt. Linton Herndon, supervisor of shipbuilding Seattle, and Comdr. Lawrence MacKinlay, resident supervisor of shipbuilding Tacoma. The launching was followed by a reception and dinner at the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 6/21/1953, pg. B-2, 6/27/1953, pg. 1)

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

Shadows darken the interior of Tacoma Boat Building as dim figures of spectators stand and gaze upon the A.M.S. #96 afloat in the distance. The 144-foot mindsweeper was the fourth of five being built by Tacoma Boat Building. The ship had just been launched the late afternoon of May 1, 1953. The launching was captured on television; it was the first launching to be televised in the area. (TNT 5-3-53, B-10)

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

ca. 1953. Three unidentified men examine a boat engine while aboard a wooden vessel under construction in this circa 1953 photograph.

Boat engines; Boat & ship industry--1950-1960;

A large group of spectators await the launching of the A.M.S. #96 on May 1, 1953. Television cameras capture the moment for posterity; it was the first launching televised in this area. Dignitaries on the platform, which would have included Mrs. Marvin H. Glunz, sponsor, and the attentive crowd listen to a naval speaker. This may have been Capt. Christian H. Duborg, who was listed as principal speaker of the event. The A.M.S. #96 was a 144-foot mindsweeper built by Tacoma Boat Building for the Navy. It was the fourth of five being constructed by the firm who had been awarded a Navy contract. (TNT 5-3-53, B-10)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

A small stage, decorated in red, white and blue bunting, was constructed to be used in the February, 1953, launching of the USS Energy, #436, built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. Martinac had landed the contract to build a series of 171-foot mindsweepers for the Navy; this is the second completed after the USS Endurance the previous year. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding.(TNT 2-1-53, B-2, TNT 2-14-53, p. 1)

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

A group of six men, two women and a little girl pose in front of the recently constructed USS Energy in preparation for its official launching on February 13, 1953. Four of the men are wearing naval uniforms; one woman is holding a large bouquet of roses. She may be the sponsor, Mrs. Alice McDonald Baughman of Seattle. Captain Clyde Jensen of the Bremerton Navy Yard was to give the principal address. The ship was built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, and was to be launched from the Bayview Shipyard. (TNT 2-1-53, B-2, TNT 2-14-53, p. 1)

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

AMS #118 prepares to be launched on April 14, 1953. The minesweeper was built by Pacific Boat Building Co. Several boat building firms in Tacoma had received contracts to build minesweepers for the Navy, including Pacific Boat Building and J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. AMS #436, the USS Energy, had been launched just two months before by Martinac. The 118 was the third of the 144 foot minesweepers built locally. Mrs. Charles M. Bevis sponsored the AMS #118; Rear Admiral Arthur D. Ayrault, USN (Ret.) was the principal speaker. (TNT 4-15-53, p. 6)

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

Three Army Q-boats were launched within minutes of each other on April 20, 1954. These 63' crafts were built by Tacoma Boat Building for the Army under Navy supervision. View of several women and small children in front of Q-630; these were members of the christening party. From left to right are: Barbara Rutledge (flower girl), Mrs. Vincent J. Genn, sponsor of Q-630, Shanna Roley (flower girl), Mrs. Wilbert N. Nelson, sponsor of Q-628, Mrs. Alf R. Dahl, sponsor of Q-629, and Linda Dahl (flower girl). (TNT 4-21-54, A-5)

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

Q-630 was one of three Q-boats launched on April 20, 1954. The 63 foot Q-boats were built for the Army under Navy supervision. The ships were expected to be delivered at Rio Vista, California, in May or June, 1954. The sponsor of Q-630 was Mrs. Vincent J. Genn, wife of the machinery superintendent at Tacoma Boat Building. LTC John Fredin was the principal speaker at the launching. View of participants posed in front of vessel; several women are holding large bouquets of roses. (TNT 4-18-54, B-10)

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

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);

Commercial fishermen at the Port of Tacoma's new Fishing Boat Haven. The Haven was completed the previous summer and by January of 1954 was rapidly filling with fishing boats. The manager J.R. Woodruff stated that 52 various sized craft had been using the expanded haven. The big net shed at the site was 70% full with renters expected to fill the building shortly. The background shipbuilding company is believed to be Western Boat Building Co. (TNT 1/17/1954, pg. B-2)

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

The launching of three 63 foot Army Transportation Corps wooden patrol boats, the Q625, Q626 and Q627, by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Delayed by strikes at the Tacoma boat yards, the boats were launched almost three months later than projected. The vessels built for the Army under Navy supervision were sponsored by Mrs. Honor Schwesinger, Ione Kvamme and Mrs. H.T. Burk. (TNT 9/24/1953, pg. B-4 & 9/27/1953, pg. C-12_

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

Launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #97 by Tacoma Boatbuilding. A.M.S. #97 would be the last minesweeper to slide into the water as the company fulfilled its contract of five. All five vessels were in various states of completion with the first completed one to be delivered to the Navy in the fall. Mrs. Henry F. Agnew was the sponsor of #97 and Capt. J.R. Topper was the speaker. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #97 in 1953. The last Naval minesweeper would be sliding off the ways at Tacoma Boatbuilding as the fifth one was launched. Mrs. Henry F. Agnew, wife of the Commandant of the Tacoma Naval Station, was sponsor (holding bouquet of roses), Nicola Tollefson, daughter of the Mayor Harold Tollefson, was flower girl and Capt. J.R. Topper was the speaker. Arne Strom, in suit, owner of the company, was the master of ceremonies. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Strom, Arne; Agnew, Henry F.--Family;

The launching of three 63 foot Army Transportation Corps wooden patrol boats built by Tacoma Boatbuilding. These were the first craft to be launched by a Tacoma boat builder since the strikes beginning in July of 1953 incapacitated the yards. These vessels were built for the Army under Navy supervision and were originally scheduled to go into the water in early July. The three vessels were numbered Q625, Q626 and Q627. (TNT 9/24/1953, pg. B-4 & 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

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

Launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #97 by Tacoma Boatbuilding. AMS #97 was the fifth and last minesweeper to be launched by the company. The four previous vessels were in various states of completion with the first to be delivered to the Navy in the fall. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

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

Local Tacoma fishermen, Robert and Alfred Erickson, had a new 47 foot all steel tuna hull, built by Birchfield Boiler. Robert was married to Jean and lived at 3816 South Cushman Avenue; Alfred was married to Ragna and lived at 1221 Ridgewood Avenue. View of unidentified woman, possibly Jean or Ragna, christening the new tuna hull, Birchfield Boiler's plant and shops in background.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishermen--Tacoma; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Erickson--Family;

Birchfield Boiler Incorporated, 2503 East 11th St., completed a 47 foot, all steel tuna hull for Alfred O. and Robert E. Erickson, local Tacoma fishermen, in July of 1948. Birchfield was in the process of expanding their shipbuilding and ship conversion department. After the hull was christened, the Erickson family celebrated on the desk of their new fishing boat. Birchfield Boiler's maintenance and electric shop can be seen in background.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishermen--Tacoma; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Erickson--Family;

This aerial view of the Tacoma Yacht Club and the east corner of Point Defiance Park, just north of Ruston, was taken in August of 1948. The Point Defiance Ferry Terminal is in the upper right hand corner, and the buildings to the left of the marina belong to the ASARCO smelter. In 1934, a road was built along the bulkhead, just under the tree line, that passed under the pier that led to the ferry landing. Point Defiance's Funland Amusement Park is located top center and can be identified by the round shapes of some of the rides.

Boathouses; Boats; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Mooring; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Funland (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Amusement parks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

View of M. W. "Wesley" Goss holding Cammarano Brothers Trophy, the trophy will be awarded to the winner of the "Free-for-All Outboard Race" on Sunday at Gig Harbor. This race is part of the two day Washington State Championships, participants will go through a one mile course. Goss is from Seattle, he will give a musical performance on his triple-toned golden chimes prior to the races starting (T. Times, 6/22/48, p. 12).

Regattas--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Awards; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Goss, M. W.;

Interior view of switchboard in the "Scarlet Queen" tuna clipper, the control and distribution panels are custom made to fit the needs of each individual ship. The switchboards are compact, the "Scarlet Queen" has multiple units including an A.C. unit. Tacoma Boat's electrical division works with their customers to provide the most efficient switchboards (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8964

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

Scarlet Queen built by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company was the largest tuna clipper built in the world, at least 25 feet larger than any other tuna clipper. The "Scarlet Queen" would be fishing for tuna in the Pacific Ocean, it had recently gone on its trial run in Tacoma's Commencement Bay. This vessel was owned by Arne Strom, co-owner of Tacoma Boatbuilding Company and Cecil Drake of San Diego, California (T. Times, 6/14/48, p. 1). TPL-8962

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

Interior view of "Scarlet Queen's" navigator's quarters, separate from the steering room. The navigator's quarters was a miniature communications center, through which the vessel maintains frequent checks on its position and contact with other vessels and shore stations (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8969

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Navigation; Compasses; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Scarlet Queen was originally a military vessel, ATR-69, a World War II rescue tug. It was converted into the largest tuna clipper in the world by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company. View of a Gyro compass, radar unit, and loran; these highly technical and advanced instruments are located in the navigation and engine room. (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8965

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Navigation; Compasses; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

View of "Scarlet Queen's" galley, modern oil-fired galley range, stainless steel trim, dual temp, refrigerator, tiles drain board, wood finished cupboards, large table with bench seating and magnesite floors. The kitchen also features a double sink with cold, hot and salt water, water cooler, radio and inter-com (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8966

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

The 165 foot "Scarlet Queen" would have a fishing crew of eighteen men, Tony Dutra was the ship's skipper. Interior view of the skipper's quarters, this room has beautiful hardwood built in features, including, drawers and storage compartments. The skipper's quarters has a deluxe bunk, reading lamp, window and pull out desk(Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8967

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Crew quarters; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beds; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The 165 foot "Scarlet Queen" would have a fishing crew of eighteen men, Tony Dutra was the ship's skipper. Interior view of the crew's quarters, six mahogany trimmed bunks with inner spring mattresses, individual lockers and reading lamps and benches. The room is bright, airy and easy to keep clean (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8968

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Crew quarters; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beds; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Interior view of shaft alley in the "Scarlet Queen" tuna clipper, this is a typical shaft alley produced by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company. The tuna clipper's shaft alley is the distribution center for bait water, brine circulation and refrigeration control. The electric cables, steering controls and propulsion shafting all passes through the shaft alley (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8963

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