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);

The sea trials of the "Sea Babe" for Kazulin-Cole Shipbuilding Corp. Kazulin-Cole was located at 2002 Marine View Drive. Mike Kazulin was president and Anthony M. Ursich was the secretary-treasurer. The "Sea Babe" was a sports fishing boat. It was designed and built by Mike Kazulin. Built for Leroy Powell of South Bend, it would be based in Raymond. The craft could carry 10 fishermen and was powered by a 144 horsepower General Motors diesel motor. (TNT 6/17/1956, pg. B-2)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kazulin-Cole Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A crowd of spectators await the launching of the minesweeper #489, the U.S.S. Gallant, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding on the evening of June 4, 1954. Martinac Shipbuilding had received a contract to built nine 171-foot minesweepers for the Navy during the early 1950's. Those observing the launching heard Rear Adm. W.F. James, 13th Naval District medical officer, give the principal address. Mrs. Walter Meserole, daughter of J.M. Martinac, was the ship's sponsor. Music for the ceremony was provided by the McChord Air Force Band. (TNT 5-30-54, C-12)

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

Two men are boarding the small craft "Mary Ann" as a third man yanks a cable on the newly launched "Trap Servicing" vessel built for Tacoma City Light for use when completed at Mossyrock Dam. The workboat was successfully launched at the Port of Tacoma's Industrial Yard on November 13, 1968. Photograph ordered by Star Marine Industries.

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Star Marine Industries (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Standing in front of the new fishing boat, the "Conquest," were the principal parties honored at the ship's launching on October 23, 1968. From L-R are J.S. Martinac, Mrs. Joseph Madruga, Mr. Madruga, and an unidentified man. The 165-foot vessel was built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation for Joseph Madruga. Mrs. Madruga, holding a bouquet of long stem red roses, was the ship's sponsor. After undergoing sea trials, the "Conquest" would be delivered to the Madrugas in January of 1969. She would fish in the San Pedro, California, area, with Richard Madruga, Joseph's brother, as captain. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-24-68, A-3) TPL-9194

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Madruga, Joseph--Family; Martinac, J.S.; Roses--Tacoma;

A smiling Mrs. Joseph Madruga poses in front of the tuna seiner, "Conquest," on October 23, 1968. The 165-foot fishing vessel, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, was launched that day. Mrs. Madruga, clutching an enormous bouquet of long stem red roses, was the ship's sponsor and christened the "Conquest" with the traditional bottle of champagne. She was the wife of the boat's managing owner. Assisting Mrs. Madruga in the christening was Mrs. Richard Madruga, wife of the ship's captain. The Madruga brothers would fish for canneries in the San Pedro, California, area. Designed for a crew of 14, she would be delivered to her owner in early 1969. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT10-24-68, A-3) TPL-9223

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

Launching. Champagne sprays across the bow of the "Kerri M" as she is christened on December 14, 1968, at the Port Industrial Yard. 10-year-old Kerri Medina, daughter of captain/owner Harold Medina, did the honors. The $1.8 million dollar fishing boat was scheduled for delivery to her San Diego owner early in 1969. The "Kerri M" was the last of a series of three federally subsidized tuna seiners built by Tacoma Boatbuilding. The U.S. Maritime Commission paid 48% of the cost under the Fishing Fleet Improvement Act of 1964. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-15-68, C-23) TPL-9221

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Medina, Kerri;

Launching. Proudly standing before the ship bearing her name, 10-year-old Kerri Medina cradles a bouquet of long stem red roses and a wrapped bottle of champagne. Kerri would be the fishing boat's sponsor and would christen the vessel's bow with the champagne. Standing next to Kerri is her sister, Judy; she probably acted as the sponsor's attendant. Kerri's father, Harold Medina of San Diego, was the ship's captain/owner. The 176-foot tuna seiner cost $1.8 million; nearly half of the cost was paid by the federal government under the Fishing Fleet Improvement Act of 1964. (TNT 12-15-68, C-23) TPL-9222

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Medina, Kerri; Roses--Tacoma;

Launching. One week after her sister-ship the "Cheryl Marie" slid down the ways at the Port Industrial Yard, the "Kerri M" was successfully launched at 11:30 a.m. on December 14, 1968. She was the last of a series of three federally subsidized tuna seiners built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, each costing $1.8 million. The 176-foot fishing boat was scheduled for delivery early in 1969 to owner Harold Medina of San Diego. The vessel was named after the 10-year-old daughter of the captain/owner. (TNT 12-15-68, C-23) TPL-9220

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

ca. 1969. 1969 Richards stock footage. Western Boat Building plant. Western Boat Building's new shipyard was located on Marine View Dr. on the Hylebos Waterway. Their longtime plant on 11th St. had burned down and they moved to temporary quarters in the Port Industrial Yard. Construction began in early 1968 on a new shipyard situated on seven acres on Marine View Dr. This would enable Western Boat Building to construct boats up to 250 feet and permit the firm to complete dockside repairs on vessels of all sizes. Western Boat Building was owned and operated by the Petrich family with James F. Petrich as president. (TNT 1-28-68, C-21)

Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Aerial views; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

Launching of Boeing hydrofoil High Point. On August 17, 1962, the 110-foot submarine chaser High Point was launched at Martinac Shipbuilding. Boeing had started to adapt many of the systems used in jet airplanes for hydrofoils. The High Point was one of two hydrofoils launched in 1962; the Little Squirt, a 20-foot boat propelled by waterjet, was the other. Standing before the PCH-1 is the longtime president of Boeing, William M. Allen and spouse, J.S. Martinac of Martinac Shipbuilding, Vice Adm. Homer N. Wallin, USN (Ret) and spouse. Mrs. Allen, clutching a large bouquet of long stemmed roses, was the vessel's sponsor. The Patrol Craft Hydrofoil No. 1 was named for the city in North Carolina. (www.boeing.com/history; TNT 8-18-62, A-1)

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

PGM 63 glides through calm waters on May 9, 1963. The J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. built this patrol boat for the U.S. government. A previous Martinac-built Motor Gunboat underwent sea trials in April, 1963. The PGM 63 would later be transferred to South Vietnam as the To Yen.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma;

Tacoma Boat Building launched the last of a series of four minesweepers, the MS 301, on April 11, 1964. The tugboat pictured above was probably a Foss tug; Foss tugboats were customarily used in the launching of minesweepers built for the Navy by local shipbuilders. The tugs were used to help escort the much larger ships. Here the tug bucked gusty winds to push the new non-magnetic, wood-and-aluminum minesweeper to her outfitting dock on Sitcom Waterway. The 175' long vessel had twin 500 hp diesel engines and cost over $2,000,000. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (TNT 4-13-64, p. 30)

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

Progress March 3, 1961, photograph of a lone worker who appears to be sanding down the ribs that will be connected to the rest of a boat. This may be at Tacoma Boat. Photograph ordered by West Coast Lumber Association. TPL-9393

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Boat under construction. Progress photographs of a fishing boat under construction were taken on March 3, 1961, at Martinac Shipbuilding on behalf of West Coast Lumber Association. TPL-9121

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Martinac Shipbuilding launching of #133, the Royal Pacific, occurred on May 16, 1961. View of boat; another boat, possibly a tug, the Edward A. Young, is to the left. The $600,000 Royal Pacific was the first tuna clipper to be built in Tacoma in ten years. It was also the first tuna clipper to be built from the keel up as a seine-type tuna vessel. The 142' vessel had a capacity of 425 tons of tuna under refrigeration. It was powered by a 1600-horsepower opposing piston engine. The crew of 13 would be skippered by Lou Brito, who would be transferring from Martinac-owned Southern Pacific tuna vessel. (TNT 5-17-61, A-5) TPL-9056

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

The Nancy Foss tug assisted in the launching of the J.M. Martinac on March 27, 1967. View of ship's bow post-launching. The 154-foot tuna seiner was the fifth tuna boat built by Martinac Shipbuilding for skipper Lou Brito of San Diego. It had a payload of 540 tons and carried a 32-foot power skiff. The J.M. Martinac, whose name was selected by skipper Brito in honor of Martinac founder J.M. Martinac, had nets more than half a mile long. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 2-19-67, B-4, TNT 3-28-67, A-1) TPL-9124

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

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;

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)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

The new Point Defiance to Gig Harbor ferry, "Defiance." The 180-foot wooden ferry constructed of Douglas fir, with a capacity of 70 cars, was built by the Skansie Shipbuilding Co. in Gig Harbor and started on her Gig Harbor run on April 3, 1927. She had her "builders trial test" the day before. The new ferry was designed to speed up traffic between Tacoma and the Gig Harbor peninsula. She was licensed to carry 500 foot passengers and 70 cars. Skansie Brothers was founded in 1912 by four Yugoslavian brothers, Pete, Mitchell, Andrew and Joe Skansie. Beginning in 1922, the company was one of the first yards to build automobile ferries. They also were pioneers in the use of diesel ferry engines. By 1926, Mitchell Skansie had also begun an early ferry service company called the Washington Navigation Co. It had taken over operation of all ferries in Pierce County on January 1, 1927. By the 1930's, the company had many ferries running on contracted routes in the south Puget Sound. (Neal & Janus "Puget Sound Ferries") TPL-8269; G66.1-101 (TNT 1-15-27, p. 14-article; TNT 1-17-27, p. 15-article; TDL 4-2-27, p. 1-article; TDL 4-3-27, A-11)

Ferries--1920-1930; Skansies Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor);

On June 10, 1926, thirteen World War I era wooden warships lay at anchor in one of the shallow inlets of Henderson Bay. The vessels had been built by Seaborn Shipbuilding Co., Wright Shipbuilding Co. and Tacoma Ship Building Co. in Tacoma for the French and intended for service during World War I, but when the war ended, the work was stopped and none of the remaining ships were completed. They previously were moored in Lake Union, Seattle. They were purchased for salvage by Washington Tug and Barge Co. and towed to the mouth of Minter Creek and then out into the inlet at high tide. The cabins and super structure were broken up, doused in kerosene and at 11:45 p.m. would be set on fire. (photograph is damaged (line) upper right corner) TPL-125 (TNT 6/11/1926, pg. 1)

On April 15, 1931, after spending two weeks loading lumber and timber at the Defiance Mill, 4601 Ruston Way, the four masted "Commodore" left port in Tacoma for the Hawaiian Islands. It was towed to the Straits of Juan de Fuca by the tug Goliath. The last of the off shore sailing fleet in regular service on Puget Sound, it was the first sailing vessel to visit Tacoma in more than two years. The wooden four masted topsail schooner of 1,500 tons was built in 1919 by the JH Price Construction Co., a Lake Washington yard, for Norwegian owners and was named "Blaatind." By 1920, it was owned by a Seattle company and was renamed "Commodore." She sailed with lumber to Hawaii long past the demise of the remainder of the west coast sailing fleet. By 1942, she had passed through many hands to South African owners. They had her towed to South America and knocked apart for lumber to build houses. Bowen 05-761 (TNT 4/16/1931, pg. 20; "Marine History of the Pacific Northwest" H.W. McCurdy) TPL-9411

Foundation Co., Yard #4, located on the Tacoma Tideflats - Rigger Storage and Water Tank, May 10, 1918. The Riggers Store House measured 32' x 27'6", 14' high, 880 sq. feet and built at a cost of $250. The water tank cost $1241 to build and consisted of a 25' diameter tank 16' high and a 26 x26 platform, 18' high. Due to the fact that most of the machinery was steam driven, an abundance of water was very important.

Daily operations at Todd Shipyards as photographed in March of 1919. Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corporation had bought land along Commencement Bay in 1917 and built a modern shipyard. They delivered eleven cargo ships in 1919. TPL-1526; G37.1-176 (www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/2large/inactive/toddtacoma.htm--list of ships built)

Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Exterior 1919 view of Babare Brothers Shipyards. The plant, located on five acres in Old Town, was one of Tacoma's pioneer shipbuilding facilities. The Babare Brothers consisted of George and Nick Babare, whose Croatian-born father Stephen was a master shipbuilder. Employing some 300 workers in 1918, the plant was busy building large wooden steamers for the government. The yard contained two building slips, each served by gantry cranes, a modern sawmill and in-demand machine shop. Prior to the Babare Brothers entry into government work, they built cannery tenders and purse seine boats for fishermen and canneries in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. They were prepared to return to this type of work after the government's demand for ships decreased. On November 30, 1919, the Tacoma Daily Ledger reported that the Babare Brothers had obtained a site along the Hylebos Waterway. (Pacific Marine Review, August, 1918, p. 90-article) G37.1-180

Babare Brothers Shipbuilding (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1910-1920;

The dining room staff at Todd Shipyards on the tideflats posed for a group portrait in February of 1919 in front of what is believed to be the shipyard's dining hall. The unidentified woman in dark dress and white collar in back row may be the supervisor. The massive $1,000,000 shipbuilding plant, covering a 30-block area located around 100 Alexander Avenue, required many workers in all categories. Known formally as the Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corp., the shipyard provided a company hotel with room for over 600 men, a large dining facility, and began building modest homes for sale to shipyard employees in 1919. G33.1-132

Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corp. (Tacoma); Employee eating facilities--Tacoma; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1910-1920;

View of the Eastern Pacific's bow with three men on board in late July, 1965. The tuna clipper was built by Martinac Shipbuilding. Photograph ordered by Martinac Shipbuilding. TPL-9057

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma;

Boat sponsor. Cradling the traditional spray of long stem red roses, Mrs. Edmund A. Gann poses in front of her husband's new fishing boat, the "Cape San Vincent" on March 20, 1969. Mrs. Gann was the ship's sponsor and performed the christening duties upon the 165-foot tuna seiner. The vessel had a 650-ton frozen tuna capacity and was scheduled for delivery later in the spring. J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. built the "Cape San Vincent;" it was one of five tuna seiners under construction at the Martinac yard. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-9-69, C-27; TNT 3-20-69, C-16) TPL-9395

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Gann, Edmund A.--Family; Roses--Tacoma;

A different kind of launching than what is usually photographed occurred at the "Trap Servicing" boat launching held at the Port of Tacoma's industrial yard. Instead of immense fishing boats or Navy gunboats, this launching featured a small 36-foot workboat built for use at Tacoma City Light's Mossyrock Dam. A large crane steadily lowers the vessel on November 13, 1968. Peterson Boatbuilding Co. was the prime contractor of the $61,400 craft; Star Marine Industries subcontracted the hull. Photograph ordered by Star Marine Industries. (TNT 11-14-68, C--8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery; Star Marine Industries (Tacoma);

View of the tuna seiner "Conquest" prior to launching. A crew member peers over the bunting-decorated bow. Built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, the 165-foot fishing vessel was ready to be launched on October 23, 1968. She was powered by a 2800-horsepower diesel engine and had a frozen fish capacity of 650 tons. The "Conquest" would be delivered to her owner, Joseph Madruga, in early 1969. The ship's captain was Richard Madruga, Joseph Madruga's brother. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-24-68, A-3) TPL-9193

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