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);

Winifred (Mrs. Melvin M.) Larsen is proudly displaying the commemorative silver platter she received as sponsor at the launching of the AMS minesweeper #115 built by Tacoma Boat Building Company. The tray had an engraving of the vessel and an inscription telling of the occasion. Navy rules permitted a woman only one Navy vessel sponsorship. This was Winnie's second time "at bat", however, since she had been sponsor of and christened the tuna clipper Saratoga in 1951. (TNT, 10/12/1952, p.B-8)

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

Launching of the AMS (motor minesweeper) 117 at Pacific Boat Building Company. Haldor A. Dahl, co-owner of the boat building company with Arne Strom, is seen on the right. Mrs. Frances K. Palmer, secretary to the manager of Pacific Boat Building company, was the sponsor and her daughter, Carole Ann, was the flower girl. Capt. Albert Handly, commander of the Tacoma group, Pacific reserve fleet, delivered the principal address. Other Navy officials present were Capt. Linton Herndon, supervisor of Navy shipbuilding in the Seattle area, and LT. Cmdr. Laurence L. MacKinlay, resident supervisor of shipbuilding. The AMS 117 was the second 144-foot to be launched October 18, 1952. (TNT, 10/19/1952, p.B-2)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dahl, Haldor; Palmer, Frances K.; Palmer, Carole Ann;

Mrs. Frances K. Palmer was the sponsor of A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) 117 built by Pacific Boat Building Company. Mrs. Palmer was the bookkeeper at Pacific Boat and secretary to the company's manager. She has been presented with an engraved platter commemorating the launching of the new minesweeper.

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

The A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) 117 is shown as she was after she slid down the ways at Pacific Boat Building Company. She has no rigging yet. That would be added after she was brought to the yard's outfitting dock.

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

A young man, with the assistance of his family, is building a 20 ft. cabin cruiser in his back yard. The young man saws the plywood that he is using for the frame of the boat while listening to his tow headed son. Photo series ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association to promote the use of plywood in boat building. The Association was a group formed to promote the use of plywood as the world's number 1 building material. TPL-9921

Boat & ship industry; Carpentry; Woodworking;

A young man, with the assistance of his family, is building a 20 ft. cabin cruiser in his back yard. He is building the boat out of plywood. Photograph series ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association to promote the use of plywood for boats. TPL-9920

Boat & ship industry; Carpentry; Woodworking; Plywood;

Hooker Electrochemical Company; railroad barge and tug. Barge, with Vancouver B.C. registration, loaded with Hooker chemical tanks being pulled by tug from the waterway on a cloud covered, gray day. Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. is prominent in the background.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Barges; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Boat Building Company, 132 Sitcum Waterway, launched two 57-foot minesweepers within minutes of each other on May 15, 1953, Armed Forces Day. The MSB-16 was sponsored by Carmen P. Smith of Seattle and the MSB-17 was sponsored by Mrs. E.A. Watson of Tacoma. MSB grade minesweeping boats did not receive names, they were referred to by their hull number. The Tacoma Boat Building Company received major contracts with the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard for over 40 years, building minesweepers, gunboats, and cutters. (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);

Two 57-foot minesweepers are side-by-side shortly after being launched on May 15, 1953. Built by Tacoma Boat Building under a Navy contract, the vessels were launched minutes apart. The MSB-17 is accompanied by the tug, Drew Foss, while the MSB-16 is escorted by the Peter Foss. Tacoma Boat Building also was awarded contracts to build several 144-foot mindsweepers during the early 1950's. (TNT 5-17-53, B-7) TPL-9620

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

ca. 1953. Launching of naval ship #445, the U.S.S. Force, with the skyline of downtown Tacoma in the background. The all wood craft was the fourth of nine contracted 171 foot Naval minesweepers to be built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. Mrs. Thomas D. Wilson, wife of a Navy Captain, served as sponsor and christened the ship with the ceremonial champagne. The band from the U.S.S. Essex played "Anchors Aweigh" as the ship slid down the ways. (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);

Interiors of A.M.S. #113 (minesweeper) built at Tacoma Boat Building. Pilot house. Portholes line the walls and the controls for maneuvering the vessel are at the right side of the picture. The 113 was scheduled to be the first of the 144 foot minesweepers to be delivered after outfitting at the Naval Station. The vessels would be delivered to foreign nations under the mutual aid program. The 113 was destined for the French Navy. (TNT 10/25/1953, pg. B-3)

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

Interiors of A.M.S. #113 (minesweeper) built at Tacoma Boat Building. Chief Petty Officers' stateroom. The officers' quarters were more spacious than the crew quarters and were designed to hold a smaller number of personnel. The 113 was the first of the 144 ft. minesweepers to be delivered after outfitting at the Naval Station. It was delivered to the French Navy, under the mutual aid program. (TNT 10/25/1953, pg. B-3)

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

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.;

Interiors of A.M.S. #113 (minesweeper) built at Tacoma Boat Building. Crew and Chief Petty Officer lavatory, looking to starboard. The #113 was scheduled to be the first of Tacoma Boat's 144 foot minesweepers to be delivered. The delivery was scheduled for November 6th, after outfitting at the Naval Station. The vessel would be delivered to the French Navy. (TNT 10/25/1953, pg. B-3)

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

Interiors of A.M.S. #113 (minesweeper) built at Tacoma Boat Building. Aft crew quarters. Cots fold up for more space or down for sleeping. Built in foot lockers stand at the rear of the bunks. The delivery of Tacoma Boat's first minesweeper, the 113, was scheduled for November 6th, 1953. The 144 foot minesweeper was outfitted at the Naval Station before its delivery to the French Navy under the mutual aid program. (TNT 10/25/1953, pg. B-3)

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

Interiors of A.M.S. #113 (minesweeper) built at Tacoma Boat Building. Forward crew quarters, with bunks folded up. Space was at a premium on the 144 ft vessel and was utilized carefully, fitting as much into a small space as possible. The 113 was scheduled to be delivered in November to the French Navy as part of the mutual aid program. (TNT 10/25/1953, pg. B-3)

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

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);

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);

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;

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);

Peterson Boat Building Company's general manager was George J. Peterson, the company's plant was located on 223 East F Street in Tacoma. View of "Coronado", the recently completed, 103 foot tuna clipper, on its trial run through Tacoma's Commencement Bay, John Meadonich (See image number D34144-8), the vessel's skipper is on the right side (Pacific Fisherman, 1949 Yearbook Number, 1/25/49). TPL-8973

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;