As the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. received more government contracts, they doubled and tripled their production. By April of 1942, traffic during morning and evening rush hours brought Alexander Ave. to a standstill. The city continued to run municipal buses, but they were bogged down in the traffic as well. Nearly 1/2 of the city's equipment was stuck during rush hour. The yard's private parking lot contained 700-800 cars that poured out of 4 exits directly onto Alexander. Staffing at the yard was expected to double by the year's end. (TT 5/8/1942, pg. 1)
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Crowd of men reporting to work at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards. During World War II, the shipyard was Tacoma's biggest employer. By June of 1942, over 20,000 persons were employed, with plans to add another 5,000 in July. Nineteen thousand of those were directly involved in the production of ships, with 1,000 more working in the office. Tacoma had to make special arrangements for transportation and construct housing for the influx of workers. The original houses at Salishan off Portland Ave. were built to house war workers. For a work force the size of a small city, the shipyard even had its own police force totaling 130. The private uniformed police force was the same size as that of the city of Tacoma. For Pacific First Federal Savings window display.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Launching of the "Oceanic" by Pacific Boat Building Co. in June of 1942. The shipbuilding company was started in 1941 by Haldor Dahl (believed to be left in the picture) and Arne Strom (believed to be center forward.)
Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Launching "Oceanic." The vessel was built by the Pacific Boat Building Co. The shipyard began building boats in 1941, when there was a flood of military contracts. It was owned by Ivar & Haldon Dahl, pres. and VP, and Arne Strom, Sec-treas.
Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);
Power Cranes putting up truss in Petrich Shipbuilding Corp., a new shipyard located on former Vermont Marble Company site, where the 11th Street Bridge crossed the City Waterway. This was the second of two plants operated by the Petrich family, headed by Martin Petrich Sr. The first was Western Boatbuilding on the Tideflats. The new yard had two parallel ways, capable of building ships up to 160 feet long. During the war, this yard would specialize in the mass production of wooden ships for the Army. They were used for Army South Seas and Alaska freight, passenger and supply transport. Note: Negative released to Michigan Power Shovel Company, Benton Harbor, Michigan.
A truck-mounted crane was used to lift a huge roof truss into position as a new shipyard building went up on the Tacoma tideflats in July of 1942. The Petrich Shipbuilding Corporation had just signed a number of new contracts with the U.S. government to build ships for the war. The new building, on the former site of the Vermont Marble Company, was 150 feet wide and 400 feet deep, running from the waterfront back to East D St. The 11th Street bridge is visible on the left through the line of roof trusses, and the Tacoma skyline can be seen in the background. (TNT 5/12/1942 p.1) Note: Negative released to Michigan Power Shovel Company, Benton Harbor, Michigan.
In July of 1942, a power crane was being used to lift a roof truss into position as a new shipyard, Petrich Shipbuilding Corp., rose from the ground on the former Vermont Marble Company site. (11th Street Bridge, city skyline in background.) The shipyard was a project of Martin Petrich and his four enterprising sons, who also owned Western Boatbuilding. The new company already held a contract for six special wooden ships for the Army. The entire plant would be covered and adjoin the shop of the Western Machine Co. Note: Negative released to Michigan Power Shovel Company, Benton Harbor, Michigan. (TT 8/5/1942, pg. 3)
Power cranes putting up truss in new shipyard, Petrich Shipbuilding Corp., on former Vermont Marble Company site. 11th Street Bridge, city skyline in background. This was the second of two yards operated by the Petrich family. The other was Western Boatbuilding on the Tideflats. During the war, the original yard (Western) built boats for the Navy, while this new yard focused on wooden Army transport vessels. Note: Negative released to Michigan Power Shovel Company, Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Traffic scenes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation near Hooker Chemical Company. Parking lot full of buses, many people walking. Ordered by General Insurance Company.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Traffic scenes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation near Hooker Chemical Company. Nearly empty street, two automobiles, several pedestrians.Photograph demonstrates the success of the new mass transit system. Ordered by General Insurance Company.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Traffic scenes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation near Hooker Chemical Company. Buses, parked automobiles, many people walking. Ordered by General Insurance Company.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Traffic scenes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Nearly empty street, two automobiles, several pedestrians. Ordered by General Insurance Company.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950;
WWII saw thousands employed at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, making it the area's largest employer. The changing of shifts meant that the roadways were packed with employees on the move. This was a typical traffic scene in August of 1942 where shipyard workers are scurrying to the many buses parked at the shipyard. To help alleviate the traffic congestion caused by private automobiles, a fleet of mass transit busses was supplied to the shipyards, stopping some of the traffic nightmares. Busses are marked 6th Ave., Kay Street, Eleventh St., McKinley Ave., Manitou and College, among other route names. Ordered by General Insurance Company.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Traffic scenes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Parking lot full of buses, many people walking. Ordered by General Insurance Company.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Traffic scenes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation near Hooker Chemical Company. Parking lot full of buses, many people walking. Ordered by General Insurance Company.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Launching of "Pride of America" at Peterson Boat Building. The Peterson shipyard was owned by the father and son team of George and John Peterson. The yard was devoted entirely to the construction of fishing vessels. The site of their yard adjoined the Foss yard at the outer edge of the Middle Waterway. The shipyard was rebuilt in 1943 and the company remained at this site until it burned in 1969.
In September of 1942, Peterson Boat Building was preparing to launch the "Pride of America." The small shipyard was operated by father and son team George and John Peterson. It was located at 223 E. F St., a site that adjoined the Foss Yard (225) at the outer edge of the Middle Waterway. The busy shipyard specialized in the construction of fishing vessels. The shipyard was rebuilt in 1943 and remained at this location until it was destroyed in a fire in 1969.
Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
This photograph is an overview of the ceremony on December 18, 1942 when the Tacoma Boat Building plant was presented with an "E Award" by the Army & Navy. The "E Award" was a production award, and the shipyard's was the first given for production of minesweepers. The award consisted of a "E" flag to fly over the plant and a pin for each employee. The company also took this opportunity to launch their newest minesweeper, the YMS 244.
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
