Truck, Titus Motor Co., Mr. Burkhalter. This Ford truck has been outfitted with a large crane shown here in an up position. Pulleys located just above and behind the cab could raise and lower the crane. Titus Motor Company was an authorized Ford automobile and truck distributor in Tacoma and Pierce County.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford trucks; Hoisting machinery; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Detailed picture of main engine of John N. Cobb, U.S. Fish and Wildlife exploratory vessel, at the Western Boat Building. She was designed by W.C. Nickum & Sons, Seattle naval architects, and built by Western Boat Co., Tacoma. She was of heavy wood construction, 93' in length, and powered with a 550-hp. Fairbanks-Morse diesel. She was equipped for exploratory navigation, as well as experimental fishing. Her primary duty was the testing and exploring of latent fisheries in Alaska waters, with special attention to Albacore Tuna.

Boat engines; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960

Launching at Western Boat. Ordered by Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. The John N. Cobb is afloat near the 11th Street Bridge just after launching from the Western Boat ways building. The vessel would be equiped for exploratory navigation as well as for experimental fishing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.. Snow is on the ground as seen on the opposite shore of City Waterway. The tall buildings of the business district of Tacoma are seen in the background. (Pacific Fisherman, March 1950, p.29) TPL-9652

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cityscapes;

Boat on the ways and sea trials, Bill Vinson. "Sunrise", a motor yacht with beautiful lines, is out on the water for her sea trials. The captain can be seen inside the cabin at the helm.

Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Yachts--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Tacoma Yacht Club, 5401 No. Waterfront Drive, was featured as part of the "Kla-How-Ya" trail dedicated in the Spring of 1950. The trail, who's name came from the Chinook Indian word for "welcome, " was a 26 mile sightseeing tour around the Tacoma area, marked with green salmon directional signs. The Yacht Club was founded in 1889 and moved to its present location near the Point Defiance ferry dock in 1914.

Boathouses; Boats; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Mooring;

A Washington State Patrol 1946 Ford wagon is parked in front of the New China Cafe in this photograph from March, 1950. Owned by George Fong and Yee Look, the New China Cafe was at 111 2nd Ave. S. E. in Puyallup. The state patrol wagon has a siren mounted on its right front fender and is equipped with two search lights. TPL-9482

Trucks--Puyallup--1950-1960; Law Enforcement; New China Cafe (Puyallup)

Reclaimo equipped fleet of trucks at Asphalt Paving & Engineering Co. Hoods of some trucks are open showing a variety of industrial motors.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Engines;

Interior of the pleasure craft "Acania," restored by J.M. Martinac and available for charter through Emmett T. Krefting, Charter Representatives, 903 Commerce St. This March of 1950 photo shows the salon equipped with several chairs and couches. The 110 foot yacht was used as a cruise ship. She was owned by a syndicate of several owners including Fred Borovich, J.S. Martinac and Ted Ultsch.

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

Libby No. 10 is tied up to the dock at Birchfield Boiler next to another of the "Libby"s. The fishing boats were typical Alaska seiners with dimensions of 48 feet by 14 feet 6 inches, with a 5-foot draft. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, July 28, 1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Three steel-hulled "Libby" seiners built by Birchfield Boiler Inc., 2503 East 11th Street, were photographed in May of 1950 as they sailed out of Tacoma for the fishing waters of Alaska. During 1950 and 1951 Birchfield built five boats for Libby, McNeil and Libby of Seattle. Behind the "Libby" fishing boats are three of the baby flat tops that were built in Tacoma and "mothballed" here after WWII. One of the outstanding features of the Birchfield-built boats was that the walls of the cargo holds were completely smooth, reducing bruising on the fish caught and held in the hold. The vessels contained four water-tight compartments and the holds were completely insulated with 3-inch of cork all around. The capacity of the vessels was approximately 23 tons. (Ordered by Birchfield Boiler.) (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

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

The launching of "Memories" at Peterson Boat Building Company. The 57-foot purse seiner slips from the ways into the water. She was built for Captain Marco Malich to fish in Puget Sound, the Alaskan waters and in the south. (TNT, 4/25/1950, p.15)

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

Manson-Osberg Company was located at 1602 Canal Street in industrial Tacoma. The company is listed as a general contracting business; in May of 1949 they were working in one of Tacoma's waterways near the tideflats area. Interior view of "Husky," a dredging machine owned and operated by Manson-Osberg Company. Photo ordered by Mr. Morris of Manson-Osberg Company.

Equipment--1940-1950; Barges--Tacoma; Underwater drilling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dredging--Tacoma; Dredges--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; City Waterway (Tacoma); Manson-Osberg Co. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat Building Corporation has just completed rebuilding the "Pacific Queen, " formerly an Army tug, in May of 1949. This 183-ft. long fishing boat was bought by eight Puget Sound fishermen. The fishermen and Puget Sound Boat spent one year planning, followed by six months of rebuilding the vessel (T.N.T., 5/15/49, p. B-3). TPL-8629

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Construction industry--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

57 foot purse seiner, interior and water shots, Birchfield Boiler, Bob Dorrer. The Esther B. is dwarfed by one of the baby flat-top aircraft carriers mothballed in the Tacoma harbor during her sea trials.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Western Furnaces specialized in heating, insulation, fiberglass home insulation, air conditioning, furnace repairs and cleaning; they were distributors of General Electric oil heating equipment. View of Chevrolet delivery truck for Western Furnaces taken on August 19, 1949. According to a reader, this particular vehicle was a "pipe fitters" truck that had a large mechanical "pipe cutter/threader" on the back bumper. The cabinets on the sides contained the various fittings used by the mechanic during the installation of galvanized piping used in hydronic (boilers) heating systems. The employee at far right was not identified. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chevrolet trucks; Signs (Notices); Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Furnaces--Tacoma; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Western Furnaces, Inc. (Tacoma);

Sepic's first store was originally located on South 17th Street and Tacoma Avenue South, in 1945 the brothers purchased the K Street property and started building their new store location. Sepic Electric Company now has new modern quarters; they offer the highest quality known brand furniture. The company's new building has a durable concrete foundation and three times more space than the previous location. View of Sepic's delivery truck with delivery men unloading "Maytag" washing machines from a freight train.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Appliance stores--Tacoma; Washing machines; Sepic Electric Co. (Tacoma);

Frank J. Bigman was driving south on Jefferson Avenue at 5:40 pm on November 28, 1949 when he "blacked out" behind the wheel of his car. The car ripped through a pipe-fence railing at South 27th Street and plunged 32 feet to the Northern Pacific right-of-way below. Mr. Bigman was saved by the sturdy construction of his 1941 model car, receiving only bruises to his left leg and minor cuts to his mouth, cheeks and ears. (TNT, 11/29/1949, p.1)

Accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bigman, Frank J.; Embankments--Tacoma;

ca. 1950. Front grille and driver's side of delivery van with signs on it. This Chevrolet van is a vehicle used by Don Rohan, a brewer's agent. There is a large sign promoting Schlitz beer, "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous", on the vehicle's side . According to the 1951 City Directory, Mr. Rohan has his office at 420 E. 25th St.

Chevrolet automobile; Rohan, Don; Alcoholic beverages;

This wrecked automobile sustained heavy damage in August, 1950. The top had been ripped open and caved in and the tires on the passenger's side are missing. It appears that impact to the vehicle may have been on the passenger's side as one of the doors is chained on and the frame is severely buckled. Photograph commissioned by Crippen & Flynn, attorneys.

Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crippen & Flynn (Tacoma);

Launching of the minesweeper #489 by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Co.on June 4, 1954. The Martinac company had received a contract to construct nine 171-foot minesweepers for the Navy. The U.S.S. Gallant was the sixth of its type to be launched by Martinac. Its keel was laid in September, 1953; all work will be completed in about a year. Rear Adm. W.F. James, 13th Naval District medical officer, was the principal speaker at the ceremony. The sponsor was Mrs. Walter Meserole, daughter of J.M. Martinac. (TNT 5-30-54, C-12) TPL-8032

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

Polaris Steamship Co.- view of ship "Franklin Berwin" with New York registry. The large freighter is tied up at the dock near the grain elevators. The long tubes extending down from the elevator area into the ship may be used for loading the ship's hold with grain.

Ships; Shipping--Tacoma; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of bulk feed truck, labelled Larro Feeds, at General Mills, on Schuster Parkway near 6th. The truck is a White Truck 3000. The long protruding arm is possibly used for loading and/or discharging the grain. It appears to extended with the use of the cable in the man's hands. General Mills grain elevators can be seen in the background. TPL-4480

General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); White trucks--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain elevators--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The launching of the USS Pledge, MSO 492, at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The minesweeper was the ninth of its class to be launched. M.S. Erdahl, Port Commissioner, was the Master of Ceremonies. Mrs. Theodore Ultsch did the christening assisted by Miss Janet Bruder, as the flower girl. The featured speaker was Rear Admiral Smoot, commander of the mineforce of the US Pacific Fleet. The launching was held in conjunction with the commissioning of the USS Conquest, Hull #488. (TNT 7/21/1955, pg. D-10

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

Two City Fuel Company GMC delivery trucks are parked outside the Coffee House Roasters, Inc. at 3700 Center Street in October of 1955. They were probably not stopping for a cup of coffee. City Fuel was at 3702 Center and the two businesses shared the building. Owned by Douglas O. Howe, City Fuel had been in the business of delivering fuel oil to customers for thirty years. Their slogan "When it's cool call City Fuel" was painted on their trucks. City Fuel had moved into their Robert Billsbrough Price-designed new building at 3702 Center St. in August of 1953. They advertised a complete one-package heating program including automatic metered fill-up service, Winkler heating equipment and Mobilheat stove and furnace oils. Coffee House Roasters, Inc. opened in 1955 and was in business in Tacoma for over 20 years. Photograph ordered by City Fuel and used in the News Tribune's 10-31-55 issue with slight modification. (TNT 10-31-55, p. 2-ad)

City Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Coffee House Roasters, Inc. (Tacoma);

A new Dodge delivery truck is on display at the Puyallup Fair. The names of Carman Manufacturing Company and Spring Air Mattresses have been painted on the covered back end of the truck. Joseph L. Carman, Jr., was president of the bedding manufacturing company located at 801 East 25th Street in Tacoma.

Trucks--Puyallup--1950-1960; Dodge trucks; Carman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Exhibit booths--Puyallup;

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;

Dignitaries gather for a group portriat prior to the launching of the AMS 115, a 144-foot minesweeper, at Tacoma Boat Building Company. Owners of Tacoma Boat, Arne Strom and Harold Dahl are seen near the right. The sponsor, Winifred (Mrs. Melvin M.) Larsen, secretary to Charles Bevis, Tacoma Boat's manager, is holding a bouquet of roses. Captain Chester J. Chastek, state director of the selective service addressed those attending the launching. Others on the program were Lt. Cmdr. S.E. Anderson, chaplain of the Sand Point Naval Air station, Arne Strom and Capt. Linton Herndon, Navy supervisor of shipbuilding in the Tacoma area. (TNT, 10/5/1952, p.B-3)

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

The past meets up with the future in this December, 1952, photograph, as an antique automobile pauses to make a deposit at North Pacific Bank's new drive-up teller window. The two men are dressed appropriately for the brisk winter weather as they sit in the roofless vehicle. Another man standing outside the car assists in completing the banking transaction. The antique automobile has a plate attached to the grill indicating that it belongs to City Motor Co. and South Tacoma Motor Co. Photograph ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma--1950-1960; North Pacific Bank (Tacoma); South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);

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;

White truck with special equipment in front of White Trucks offices. The White Company of Cleveland, Ohio began manufacturing large trucks in the 1900's. Frank Buchanan was president of the Tacoma White Trucks.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; White trucks; Tacoma White Trucks, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;