A large crowd of shipbuilders, their families, and Navy officials numbering 300 and more attended the christening of the 100-ton prototype craft, the "SES-100A," on Saturday, July 24, 1971 at the Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities, 1840 Marine View Drive N.E. The surface effect ship (SES) could travel at twice the speed of then-current destroyers. Senator Warren G. Magnuson was the primary speaker at the event; he stated that the SES was "the first step in the evolution of multi-thousand-ton high speed ships of the future." Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. (TNT 7-14-71, A-1-article; TNT 7-25-71, A-19)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ground-effect machines; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Ship loading/unloading at ASARCO dock. Copy of customer's 35mm slides requested on November 25, 1975, by ASARCO.

Vessels--Tacoma; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Loading docks--Tacoma;

A group of Puyallup Indians with their longboats (canoes) on the Puget Sound around 1886. Behind them can be seen the Northern Pacific Railroad bridge. The Puyallups were primarily fishermen, hunters and gatherers. The local salmon provided their primary food source, but was also a symbol of reverence to the tribe. In the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854, they ceded many of their territories but retained their fishing rights. Their village at this time was believed to be at the foot of North 15th. KING-014, TPL 2895.

This early 1880s photograph by C. E. & Hattie King is of the Tacoma waterfront. Several European Americans are standing near Indian canoes moored along the shoreline. The location is believed to be south of the James Williams salmon cannery in Old Tacoma. The Kings brief period of photographing Tacoma views documents the blending of cultures and history--the presence and traditions of local Native Americans and the presence of newer Americans establishing homes, industries and towns in the West. KING 016, TPL-3746.

Fishing boat "Shenandoah." The fishing boat, "Shenandoah," was tied up at a dock in Gig Harbor in April of 1925. She was believed to be a product of the Skansie Yards. TPL-695; G72.1-124

Fishing boats--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor;

Rowboat on display. This is believed to be a product of the Babare Mfg. Co., 3517 E. 11th St., as viewed on July 11, 1924. The Babare Bros. had moved their shipbuilding facilities to a site on along the Hylebos Waterway about 1920. G37.1-114

Rowboats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Engine room of the Steilacoom ferry as pictured on July 21, 1924. The 110-feet long ferry, dubbed "City of Steilacoom," was completed at the Skansie yards in Gig Harbor. She was designed to replace a ferry operating between Long Branch and Steilacoom and took her maiden voyage on April 13, 1924. The ferry was propelled by a Fairbanks-Morse semi-diesel type engine putting out 200 horsepower. Her engine room had auxiliary pumps, lighting plant and hot water heating plant. G66.1-094 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-13-24, A-11-article)

Boat engines; Ferries;

These fishing boats were photographed while moored at a Port of Tacoma dock in November of 1928. The fishing vessels were returning to Tacoma after seasonal salmon pursuit in the northern waters. Fishermen were reportedly pleased with the new haven at the Port of Tacoma which included more protection against storms for their boats. 22 stalls for boats were built with an additional eight more berths to be constructed shortly. The long houses on the right were used for stowing nets and gear. TPL-447; G34.1-058 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-11-28, p. 1-article) See Boland B19714 for long distance view of boats.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This is one of five Sterling-Viking gasoline engines installed on the new Tacoma Fire Boat No. 1. Tacoma Fire Boat No. 1 was successfully launched on June 8, 1929, from the plant of the Coast Line Shipbuilding Co. Hundreds had gathered to witness the launching of the speedy and powerful boat where an absence of speeches and brevity of ceremony marked the occasion. Tacoma Fire Boat No. 1 had a 95 1/2 foot hull, beam of 21 1/2 feet and a 6-foot draft. (TDL 6-8-29, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-9-29, p. 1-article) G26.1-041

Boat engines; Fireboats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This is an undated photograph of the towboat, "Vigilant," prior to being purchased by the Foss Launch & Tug Co. and renamed the "Anna Foss." She was a wood two-deck boat with 75-hp steam engine with a 69-foot length and 18-foot beam when built in 1907 in Tacoma for the WallaceTowboat Co. The "Vigilant" put in thirteen years of hard work for Wallace before being sold to the Cascade Tugboat Co. in 1920. Cascade sold her two years later to the Gilky Bros. of Anacortes for log towing in northern Puget Sound and British Columbia. Once more ownership changed hands when Cpt. C.C. Croft traded his tug for her about 1925. Now part of the Vigilant Towing Co. of Seattle, she substituted her steam plant for a 200-hp 2-cycle Worthington diesel in 1926, enabling her to tow heavy gravel scows. In 1930 the "Vigilant" was sold to the Anchor Tugboat Co. of Portland for use on the Columbia River. The Foss Co. acquired her in 1933 for $5,300 at a U.S. Marshal's sale. Her primary job was to bring down millions of feet of Canadian logs for mills operating in Salmon Bay and Elliot Bay. In 1938 the "Vigilant" became the "Anna Foss" after the wife of Peter Foss, Andrew Foss' brother. She would complete more than 50 years of service before being retired on August 2, 1968. The boat would have one final owner, former Chief Engineer Everett Atkinson, who purchased her in May of 1969. Her name reverted back to the "Vigilant" and she was anchored in Colvos Passage in front of Mr. Atkinson's Vashon Island home. She sank in 40 feet of water on September 16, 1969 when her pump apparently failed. (Skalley, "Foss Ninety Years of Towboating," p. 90-92)

Tugboats;

ca. 1948. Three deep sea Foss tugs based out of Port Angeles, left to right, the Arthur Foss, Mathilda Foss and Foss No. 21. These three ships were used periodically for deep sea tows to Alaska, but after the end of World War II that duty was taken over by Miki class tugs purchased as surplus from the military. The three were then used for log tows out of Port Angeles. The Arthur Foss is probably the most famous Foss tugboat. It began its life in 1898 in Portland Oregon as the steam tug "Wallowa." The 110 foot tug became a star when it appeared in the 1933 motion picture classic "Tugboat Annie" as the "Narcissus." The movie was based on Saturday Evening Post short stories written by University of Washington writing teacher Norman Reilly Raine and loosely based on the Foss family business legend. The vessel was overhauled in 1934 and renamed the "Arthur Foss." It served in World War II, returned to Port Angeles in 1948 and was retired in 1968. Donated in 1970 to the nonprofit "Save Our Ships," it was lovingly restored. The "Mathilda Foss" was built in 1909 as a US Army passenger and freight vessel, the "Captain Gregory Barrett." The 91 foot vessel was retooled in 1937 as an ocean going tug and renamed the "Mathilda Foss." It also served in World War II and entered Port Angeles service in 1946. It was sold in 1963 and sunk in 1978 as an eyesore. The "Foss 21" began life as the Tacoma built "Fearless." Built in 1900, the 80 foot tug was one of the most powerful tugs at the turn of the century. It was based out of Port Angeles and used primarily for tows on the Quillayute River. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Foss: A Living Legend" by Bruce Johnson and Mike Skalley)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Port Angeles--1940-1950;

Indians and canoes Rutter G5.1-005

View of the Steilacoom-Longbranch ferry. Copy of photograph made on May 23, 1927, per the request from the Washington Navigation Co. Date of original print is unknown. Ferry is clearly labeled "City of Steilacoom" in several places aboard ship. G66.1-088

Ferries;

ca. 1946. Henry Foss (left) and William T. (Bill) Case held a discussion circa 1946 while leaning on the water pump of the Foss #12, used both as a fireboat and a tug. As the Foss Launch & Tug Co. expanded into new markets, Henry remained in Tacoma to run the local office. He served in World War II and returned once again to the company. He retired as president of the maritime company in the Northwest. Bill Case loyally worked for Foss from 1915 until his death in 1956. He started out as a deckhand and later skippered the Foss #12 during its tenure as Tacoma's fireboat. He was the Chief Dispatcher for the company when he retired due to illness. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case Collection)

Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Case, William T.;

ca. 1894. The whaleback steamer "City of Everett" under construction in Everett, Washington, circa 1894. Her revolutionary design, reminiscent of both a cigar with tipped ends and the body of a whale (when fully loaded only the curved part of the hull was above water), was created by Alexander McDougall, a captain on the Great Lakes. He managed to bring forth a vessel that could carry heavy loads but also be fast, cutting through water with little resistance. His body of work totaled 40, 24 barges and 16 steamers, all whalebacks. The "City of Everett," which was launched in 1894 but not completed until 1895, was the only whaleback steamer built in Everett. She measured 346 feet long with a 42-foot beam. Truly a workhorse, she was in service for 29 years, including such memorable trips as sailing to India for famine relief, at which time she became the first American steamer to navigate the Suez Canal and continuing on to Spain, becoming the first American steamship to circumnavigate the world. The "City of Everett" had survived collisions at sea and a fire in port but on October 11, 1923, she went down with all hands during a storm in the Gulf of Mexico. The wreck was not found until September 10, 2010, in 400 feet of water about 150 miles due west of Naples, Florida. The whaleback steamship was nearly intact and appeared to have sunk stern first. (St. Petersburg Times, "Fishermen find big one that didn't get away: a steamship resting miles off Naples," 12-12-2010; Armitage, "Alexander McDougall and the Whaleboat," 6-8-2008)

Steamboats--Everett; Boat & ship industry--Everett;

Boat launching. The "Anna Maria, " built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, photographed in pre-launch status on September 20, 1969. At 191-feet, the steel-hulled "Anna Maria" was the largest vessel of its type built at that time. She would have a frozen fish capacity of 1100-ton. Captain Roland Virissimo of San Diego would be her skipper. After the 1:30 p.m. launching from the Tacoma Boat plant 2 in the Port Industrial Yard, a reception would be held at Tacoma Boat's new plant at 1840 Marine View Dr. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 3-19-69, D-5; TNT 3-21-69, A-10) TPL-9408 B&W

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

Boat launching. The "Anna Maria" was successfully launched in the early afternoon of September 20, 1969. She is being maneuvered into Commencement Bay by three tugs. The contrast in size is readily apparent; the "Anna Maria," at 191 feet, was the largest tuna boat yet built and had a 1100-ton frozen fish capacity. Capt. Roland Virissimo would operate the vessel built by Tacoma Boat from the San Diego area. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 3-19-69, D-5; TNT 3-21-69, A-10) TPL-9407

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

Boat launching. An interested crowd watches as the 165-foot tuna seiner, the "John F. Kennedy," slides down the ways into City (now Thea Foss) Waterway on December 20, 1969. Built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., the ship had a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and would be delivered to Star-Kis Foods on Terminal Island, California. She was a sister ship to the "Mary Antoinette" which had already been delivered to her owners. December 20th also saw the launching of the USS Benicia gunboat by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4) TPL-9451

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

Post-launching. The "Polaris" was successfully launched into Commencement Bay on March 7, 1970, by Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, wife of the ship's co-owner. The Gann family watched as the 165-foot "Polaris" slid down the ways from Martinac Shipbuilding facilities. The "Polaris" had a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and was owned by Joseph and Edmund Gann of San Diego. This would be one of three fishing boats built by Martinac Shipbuilding for the Gann brothers and was expected to be delivered in May. The "Polaris" was destined for fishing operations in South America and Africa. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23- article) TPL-9453

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Another view of refrigerated fish barge, previously shown in D158402, image 3. It appears still under construction at the Arcweld plant in Marysville in early May of 1970. Photograph ordered by U.S. Steel Corp., Pittsburgh, PA.

Barges--Marysville; Boat & ship industry--Marysville;

Launching. The 184-foot steel tuna seiner, "Trinidad," was launched at 5:30 a.m. on February 27, 1971, from the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding yard on the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. The $2,100,000 fishing boat was christened by Mrs. William A. Magellan, wife of the owner/skipper. Scheduled delivery to her San Diego owner was expected in mid-May of 1971. The vessel, capable of holding 850-ton of frozen fish, was used to fish for Star-Kist Foods. The 36-foot wide "Trinidad" was air conditioned and held a crew of 16. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 2-28-71, A-21- article) TPL-9461

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Post-launching. The "Grand Rapids" rests alongside Tacoma Boatbuilding's Marine View Dr. facilities after a successful launching on April 4, 1970. The gunboat was named for the hometown of House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford; Mr. Ford and his family were in attendance at the launching ceremonies. The PG 98 would be commissioned on September 5, 1970. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding.

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Tugboats post-christening. On June 13, 1970, two tugboats were christened at Martinac Shipbuilding facilities. Both the "Seneca" (foreground) and "Sioux" (rear) are Seattle-based but will be used to haul barges to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska's oil fields. Color photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-14-70, A-4 - article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Ship's interiors. This view is part of the luxurious living quarters of the fishing boat, "Sea Royal," currently undergoing ship trials. Cultured stone bulkheads by a Kent firm are decorated with life-like plants and are part of the entry way to this red-and-gold accented captain's room. Velvet drapes and valances and decorated mirrors along with the thick red carpeting convey an elegant atmosphere. The "Sea Royal" was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding and launched on November 11, 1972. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 4-1-73, Tahoman insert, p. 8)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Ship's quarters. Luxurious quarters aboard the 225-foot tuna seiner, "Sea Royal," featured an oversized stuffed red sofa, leather chairs, large writing desk and red wall-to-wall carpeting. An ornate built-in chess set is already ready for players. These were the quarters of ship captain, Manuel Andrade, whose wife helped in decorating. She had ordered the furniture shipped from California in order that they might match the furnishings in the captain's own home. Captain Andrade was able to entertain guests while in port in this beautiful setting. The "Sea Royal" was launched by Tacoma Boatbuilding on November 11, 1972, and was undergoing sea trials in late December prior to her release to her owners, Vivian Ann Fisheries Corporation. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-29-72, p. 31- article on ship; TNT 4-1-73, Tahoman insert, p. 8)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Chess;

Boat launching. View of Tacoma Boatbuilding plant on the Hylebos Waterway on November 11, 1972, when the fishing boat "Sea Royal" was launched. The "Sea Royal" was another of the large 225-foot class of tuna seiners produced by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. TPL-9758

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The "Sea Royal." The "Sea Royal," which was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities on the Hylebos Waterway, was capable of traveling better than 15 knots. It could hold a crew of 17. The large 225-foot tuna seiner was built for Capt. Manuel Andrade of San Diego, president of Vivian Ann Fisheries Corporation. His daughter Denise was the ship's sponsor. Sea trials would be conducted in December and delivery to the ship's owner anticipated before January 1, 1973. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 11-7-72, p. 24 -article; TNT 11-12-72, B-6)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

1973 Richards stock footage. Passengers aboard "Grace Lines" peer below at the sight of a mishap involving a new gangplank being installed on the ship. The gangplank, used to allow passage onto or departure from the ship, fell during installation procedures on the morning of September 1, 1973. The gangplank was made by the Port of Tacoma.

Gangplanks; Vessels;

The 181-foot tuna seiner, "Jilor," was successfully launched on February 8, 1975, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. She was the first of three steel hulled fishing boats destined for Senegal. The launching attracted several dignitaries including the ambassador to the United States from Senegal, Andre Coulbary and wife Saffia, and Congressman Floyd Hicks. The "Jilor" had a 22-man crew and could hold 800 tons of frozen fish. Photograph ordered by the United States Information Agency, Washington D.C. TPL-9885

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Wearing traditional Senegalese clothing were Andre Coulbary and his wife Saffia as they pose in front of the newly launched fishing vessel, "Jilor," on February 8, 1975. Mr. Coulbary was the ambassador to the United States from Senegal who flew in from Washington D.C. for launching ceremonies at Tacoma Boatbuilding. The 181-foot fishing vessel was the first of three tuna seiners destined for Senegal at a total price tag of $12 million dollars. The steel hulled seiner was believed to be the first major American built fishing boat to be delivered new to a country outside the Americas. Named after a small fishing village southwest of Dakar, she could carry a crew of 22 and had a 14-tank, 800-ton frozen fish capacity. Traveling at a top speed of 15 knots, the "Jilor" would set sail for Senegal in the spring. A crowd of about 500 people braved the slight snow/sleet to watch the launching. The two men flanking the ambassador and his wife were not identified. (TNT 2-6-75, A-3 -article; TNT 2-9-75, D-6 -article) TPL-9475

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coulbary, Andre; Coulbary, Saffia; Ambassadors--Senegal;