A Highway "Super" truck, manufactured by the General Traffic Controls, Inc., is stopped in the process of painting a line down a city street. No driver can be seen. The large cannister to the truck's rear apparently is the source of the paint used. General Traffic Controls is a new corporation headed by Tacoma police officer, Sgt. Carl Sohmer, who invented the highway striping device. The vehicle is on its way to Los Angeles for demonstrations before the National Institute of Traffic Engineers. (TNT 9-23-51, A-4) TPL-8781

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; General Traffic Controls, Inc. (Tacoma); Sohmer, Carl; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Specially designed and equipped truck for street work. Highway "Super" manufactured by General Traffic Controls, Inc. View of tank and gauges at rear of truck. The truck was invented by Tacoma police officer Carl Sohmer expressly to paint lines on city streets. This photograph was part of a series taken in September of 1951.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Specially designed and equipped truck for street work. Highway "Super" manufactured by General Traffic Controls, Inc. This truck was invented by Tacoma police officer Carl Sohmer to paint lines on city streets. More than one color combination of striping could be applied. Photograph taken as part of a series in September of 1951.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Specially designed and equipped truck for street work. Highway "Super" manufactured by General Traffic Controls, Inc. and invented by Carl Sohmer, Tacoma police officer to paint stripes on city streets. Parked in center of street near Chevron service station in September of 1951. Note: Marks on image are caused by deteriorating diacetate negative.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Three men at International Harvester "Truck Savings Station" standing beside truck owned by Williams Truck Company, Puyallup. Photograph taken on October 11, 1951.

Trucks--1950-1960; International Harvester Co. (Tacoma);

The Donna Foss, a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, steadily tows the much larger ex-military transport, the "Republic" vessel on a cloudy spring day in 1952. The Agnes Foss is at the "Republic's'' stern. The Wedell Foss, not seen, is also aiding in the tow. All boats will be eventually passing under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Donna and Agnes Foss tugboats will be towing the "Republic" to the Panama Canal where it will then be towed to the East Coast for scrapping. Foss Launch & Tug had its beginnings as a rowboat rental business started by Thea and Andrew Foss in the late 1890's. They later expanded to include motorized launches and tugboats and in 1920, changed the company name to Foss Launch & Tug Co. Even after the deaths of its founders, the company continued to expand its business to include Alaska and California. In 1986, a further name change occurred and Foss Launch became Foss Maritime Co. to better reflect the diversified nature of its maritime services. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 422, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;

On March 18, 1952, the "Republic," an ex-German military transport, was photographed as it passed directly under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. It was being towed by a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, the Donna Foss. To the transport's stern were additional Foss tugboats, the Agnes Foss and the Wedell Foss. The "Republic" was at the start of a long voyage; from its storage in Olympia, it was being towed to the Panama Canal by tugboat and then onto the East Coast where it was scrapped. The trip was expected to take 40 days. The 20,000 ton "Republic" was built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1907 and used as a German transport in WWI. Captured by the Allied Forces, it then also served in WWII. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 422, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

Ship being towed under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by tugboat from Foss Launch and Tug Company. View from above looking toward Point Fosdick as ship is towed north and approaches bridge. The "Donna Foss" is towing the much larger ship, the "Republic," on March 18, 1952. Assisting her is the "Agnes Foss" at the "Republic's" stern. On the other side of the ex-military transport but not seen is another tug, the "Wedell Foss."

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;

The Donna Foss tugboat from Foss Launch & Tug Co. has just towed a much larger ship, the ex-German military transport vessel, the "Republic", under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in a photograph taken on March 18, 1952. Fellow tugboats, the Agnes Foss and the Wedell Foss, are aiding in the tow. The "Republic" has a long voyage scheduled; it is on its way to the Panama Canal and then onto the East Coast where it will be scrapped. Tugboats are powerful boats designed to guide and pull vessels many times their weight. Foss Launch & Tug is a long-time Tacoma firm, established in the late 1890's by Thea and Andrew Foss. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

The 590 foot ex-military transport vessel, the "Republic", is being pulled along under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, the Donna Foss, in March, 1952. The Donna Foss is being aided by two fellow tugs, the Wedell Foss and the Agnes Foss. The tugboats, although dwarfed in size by the much bigger vessel they tow, are designed to guide and pull boats despite the disparity in sizes. More powerful diesel engines, added in the early 1950's, allowed tugboats to maneuver in deep ocean waters. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TPL-2158, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

Bus with group of children at Remann Hall. Northwest Kiwanis Club. This new bus for the children of Remann Hall was purchased with funds from the Kiwanis Club in September of 1951. County probation officer Herbert W. Ward (at left) received a check for the bus from Clarence Reuger of the Northwest Kiwanis Club. Mr. Reuger is standing in the open door of the bus. Also present was Judge Bertil E. Johnson (at right). The bus was used to take kids to ball games, civic events, the Puyallup Fair, school and church. (TNT 9-21-51, p. 1-alt. photograph)

Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remann Hall (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ward, Herbert W.; Reuger, Clarence; Johnson, Bertil E.; Judges--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);

Royal Pacific on her June, 1951 sea trials. The "Royal Pacific," 118' x 26' x 13.5' tuna clipper, was valued at $320,000 and she would carry a 615-hp Superior diesel for a speed of 11 knots. She would hold 230 tons of tuna under refrigeration. Ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT, 5/6/1951, p.B-2) TPL-9048

Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching the "Historic" at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. The new tuna clipper was built for Oliver Verissimo and Assoc. of San Diego. She was powered by a 615-hp Enterprise diesel, two 150-hp GM diesels, 120-kw auxiliaries and she had refrigeration capacity of 240 tons. She could carry a crew of 15 and she was a sister ship to "Mona Lisa" and "Royal Pacific". A fourth sister ship was on the way. (TNT, 7/8/1951; Marine Digest 7/14/1951) TPL-9050

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

Launching the "Historic" at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. Sponsored by Mrs. Carl Silva, wife of the engineer-to-be and part owner, the new tuna clipper was built for Oliver Verissimo and Assoc. of San Diego TPL-9049

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

Jovial L. Evert Landon poses with thirteen young women on the deck of a boat, possibly the Cardian, on May 19, 1951. The young women are wearing shorts and sneakers. A man wearing a suit and two more people are seen along the side of the boat. Mr. Landon was the president of Nalley's Fine Foods at the time of this picture. Ordered by Nalley's Inc.

Boats--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Business people--Tacoma--1950-1960; Landon, L. Evert;

The interior of one of the Libby Boats showing the wooden hull. The Libby series of seiners were 48' x 14.6'. Ordered by Birchfield Boiler, Bob Dohrer.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sea trials of the newest Libby Boats. Ordered by Birchfield Boiler, Bob Dohrer. Two of the five Libby boats built for Libby, McNeil and Libby of Seattle during 1950 and 1951 for fishing in Alaska. They were powered by Chrysler Royal marine engines with 3.16 to 1 reduction gears from National Supply Engine Corp of Seattle and equipped with Onan generators from Fremeon Electric Company of Seattle. A Rowe seine winch was operated off the power takeoff from the main engine. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951; Pacific Fisherman, Yearbook 1951, p.124)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960;

General Beer Distributing Company had painted signs for Heidleberg Beer on this truck. They chose a Diamond T truck for this new addition to their fleet.

Trucks--Fife--1950-1960; Electric signs--Fife--1950-1960; Restaurants--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks;

Cab and bed of Lige Dickson truck in front of Lige Dickson Company. The company have added a White truck to their fleet of vehicles for their construction and excavation operations Ordered by Lige Dickson Co. General Contractors. TPL-9824

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; White trucks; Lige Dickson Co. (Tacoma);

General Beer Distributors truck advertising Heidelberg beer in front of the Poodle Dog restaurant in Fife. The driver is unloading cases of beer from the back of the company's new Diamond T truck.

Trucks--Fife--1950-1960; Electric signs--Fife--1950-1960; Restaurants--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks;

General Beer Distributors truck advertising Heidelberg beer is parked in front of the Poodle Dog restaurant in Fife. The company chose a Diamond T truck for the newest addition to their fleet. TPL-8193

Trucks--Fife--1950-1960; Electric signs--Fife--1950-1960; Restaurants--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks;

A driver is backing Tacoma-Fort Lewis Auto Freight Company's new Diamond T truck to a loading dock. A long trailer makes the job of backing more difficult. A man can be seen on the loading dock providing hand signals. TPL-8361

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma-Fort Lewis Auto Freight Co. (Tacoma); Diamond T trucks;

A large Coast semi-truck has rolled over on its side after an automobile accident at 24th and D Streets. Nalley's neon signs can be seen above the truck. Ordered by the Tribune, City Desk.

Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Truck and automobile accident at 24th and D Streets. Large truck turned on side on top of automobile.

Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Miss California, recently completed by Peterson Boat Building Company, is out for her ship trials. Designed by Arthur DeFever, she had a sweeping bridge around the pilot house with a full measure of visibility. Controls were provided on the bridge as well as in the pilothouse. (Pacific Fisherman, Sept. 1951, p.53) TPL-9045

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exposure of an accident scene where a Greyhound bus has been involved in an accident on the Tacoma-Olympia Highway near Fort Lewis. A fireman is washing away any residual gasoline or oil with a fire hose. The bus can no longer be seen, but a car is being hooked up to a tow at the right background. What appears to be Ft. Lewis can be seen on the left hand side of the picture. The Richards panel wagon is on the left hand side.

Traffic accidents-Washington--1950-1960; Automobiles--Washington--1950-1960; Fire engines & equipment--Washington--1950-1960;

Launching of A.M.S. (motor mine sweeper) #113 at Tacoma Boat Building Company for the Navy. Ship sliding down the ways into the water as it leaves building. The AMS 113 was the first Navy minesweeper to be launched in Tacoma since WWII. Tacoma was rapidly becoming a major center of Naval boat building in our nation's rearmament effort. Tacoma firms held a total of $20 million dollars in Naval contracts. (T. Reporter 7/22/1952, pg. 2 & 7/8/1952, pg. 8)

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

The rear of the hull of the USS Endurance (AMS 435) as they prepare for launching at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The Endurance was the first of four 171 foot minesweepers constructed by Martinac for the Navy. Martinac was also the first firm on the Pacific coast to be designated by the Navy as a "qualified laminator." The frames for the minesweepers were laminated in their branch office on Baker dock and then barged up City waterway to the plant for placement in the new boats. (TNT 2-10-1952, pg. B-6, T. Reporter 8/11/1952, pg 2)

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

Tacoma Boat Building, the launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #113 for the Navy, sponsored by Evelyn Langlie, wife of Governor Arthur B. Langlie. Mrs. Langlie holds the ceremonial champagne bottle and and an unidentified young girl holds flowers. The AMS 113 was the first minesweeper to be launched in Tacoma since WWII and on completion would cost upward of $1,000,000. Tacoma Boat Building had received the contract to build the minesweepers prior to the devastating fire of 1951 that destroyed their plant. By December of 1951, their new plant was almost complete and construction begun on 3 of the 144 ft class and 5 of the 57 ft. class. (T. Reporter 7/22/1952, pg. 2)

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

Tacoma Boat Building, the launching of the A.M.S. #113 (motor mine sweeper.) Group of 21 at banquet table on July 19, 1952, including Naval officers. Mayor John Anderson is at the left of the seated row, Governor Arthur B. Langlie fifth from left, owner Arne Strom in the center of the same row with Evelyn Langlie to his right and co-owner Haldor Dahl is third from left in the standing row. The worst fire of 1951 totally destroyed the Tacoma Boat Building plant with the co-owners Strom and Dahl holding contracts for the building of Navy minesweepers. A new plant was quickly built on the strip of land separating the Milwaukee and Sitcum Waterways and production of the sweepers began. (T. Reporter 7/22/1952, pg. 2)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Strom, Arne; Dahl, Haldor; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Langlie, Evelyn; Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960;