Tacoma Council of Churches meeting. The Tacoma Council of Churches president, Dr. Milton Marcy, recently appointed Rev. Loyal H. Vicker of Corvallis, Oregon as the Executive Secretary of the council. Mr. Vicker and his family will be moving to Tacoma soon. View of unidentified people gathered for meeting at the Tacoma Council of Churches.

Religious meetings--Tacoma; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma);

Tacoma College group of 23 from Aquinas Academy. The Aquinas Academy music department is about to give their third concert from a series of four student recitals at the Tacoma Catholic College. Tea will be served in the patio for the participants and their guests immediately after recital (T. Times, 5/8/44, p. 8).

Concerts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Music--Tacoma; Aquinas Academy (Tacoma); Church schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

March 5, 1944, saw the launching of a 72-foot tug built for the U.S. Army by Pacific Boat Building of Tacoma. View of wood boat with bunting.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tugboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

This unidentified woman is prepared to christen a new 72-foot Army tug on March 5, 1944. The ship was built by Pacific Boat Building Co. of Tacoma.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tugboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

The U.S. Army tug ST-472 was launched by Pacific Boat Building Co. on March 5, 1944. The wood ship is pictured above sliding down the ways.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tugboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

This is the newly launched Tug ST-472 on March 5, 1944. She was built by Pacific Boat Building Co. of Tacoma for the U.S. Army.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tugboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Eighteen members of the Samuel L. Salter family, representing four generations of Salters, gathered at the family home in Tacoma, 307 So. 31st St., in February of 1944, to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Samuel L. and Jennie E. Salter. Mr. & Mrs. Salter were married on February 27, 1894 in Olean, N.Y. They moved west in 1905 and settled in Tacoma in November of that year. Mr. Salter, a self-employed contractor, who helped build Lincoln H.S. and the original buildings at Fort Lewis, died in February of 1978 at the age of 102.

Anniversaries--Tacoma; Reunions; Group portraits; Salter, Samuel L.--Family;

VIP table at the Pierce County Republican Club's 1944 Lincoln Day dinner at the Masonic Temple where Wendell Willkie, 1940 Republican Presidential candidate and titular head of the party, gave the main address. Mr. Willkie is seated towards the center, wearing a dark suit; next to him is Evelyn Langlie, wife of Governor Arthur Langlie. Two seats away is Gov. Langlie along with Edith Willkie, wife of the guest speaker. There were so many requests for banquet tickets that additional tables had to be inserted behind the head table; approximately 1700 people dined in the Fellowship Hall with additional hundreds in the roof garden. (T.Times, 2-12-44, p. 1)

Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Willkie, Edith; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Evelyn; Governors;

Pierce County Republican Club 1944 Lincoln Day dinner at the Masonic Temple. Wendell Willkie, 1940 Republican Presidential nominee and titular head of the party, gave the main address. View of packed Fellowship Hall with some of the 1700 diners; Mr. Willkie is seated to the left of the large Lincoln portrait. Governor Arthur Langlie is seated to the right of the portrait along with Mrs. Willkie. An overflow crowd of 350 ate in the temple's roof garden area, which included band members from Lincoln and Stadium High Schools. 2000 more people were able to listen to Mr. Willkie's speech in the Temple theatre although no meals were included. (T. Times, 2-12-44, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966;

ca. 1943. Memorial Day exercise at Liberty Center. Large group of people on platform. The Liberty Center structure displays "V"'s on each upper corner. A "Union Jack" flag and an unidentified flag are also displayed at the upper corners in the front. Buildings in 700 block of Broadway visible on both sides of street.

Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

ca. 1943. Memorial Day exercise at Liberty Center. Large group of people on platform with band playing music in foreground. Band members are seated, wearing uniforms. The band fills the entire street. The Liberty Center structure displays "V"'s on each upper corner. A "Union Jack" flag and an unidentified flag are also displayed at the upper corners in the front. Buildings in 700 block of Broadway visible on both sides of street.

Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Military bands;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. The 65-foot tugboat with a 16-foot beam was one of two tugs launched at McNeil Island on June 17, 1943, under a revived shipbuilding program. The tugs were built of Douglas fir except for the stem, sternposts and trim. They ran on Diesel engines. The ships were built using prison labor and there was much anticipation of the launchings by the 100 guests from the mainland plus the proud builders. No ships locally had been built by prisoners since 1907 when Capt. Neil Henley of Steilacoom directed that last construction. Capt. Henley had founded the shipbuilding industry at McNeil prison in 1883. With America now entered into WWII, the necessity of more ships resulted in the revival of the shipbuilding program. T-88 and T-89 were the second and third built for the Army Transport Service by McNeil with the first ship turned over to the Army in November of 1942. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island;

Coverage of twin launchings at McNeil Island. On June 17, 1943 Mrs. H.W. Algeo served as sponsor of one of the two tugboats launched at McNeil Island. Mrs. L. Delmore, Jr., was the other sponsor. Mrs. Algeo is pictured above in the act of christening the boat with a firm smash against her prow. It was reported that both she and Mrs. Delmore were drenched by the exploding champagne bottles. KMO radio broadcast the event as a twin launching was rare and launchings of any sort of prisoner-built vessels even rarer. As the United States was now at war, a revival of using prison labor in boat construction had commenced. 1907 had been the last time locally that a ship was built by inmates. The two tugs would become the second and third built under the revived shipbuilding program at McNeil. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Algeo, H.W.--Family;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. James V. Bennett (second from left), Seattle Mayor William F. Devin (second from right) and Warden P.J. Squier of McNeil Island (far right) were identified in this group of men who were attending the twin launching of tugboats for the U.S. Army Transport Service on June 17, 1943. The tugs were built with prison labor during a revival of the shipbuilding industry on McNeil, and were highly praised by military and civilian officials. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1,3- various photographs)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Bennett, James V.; Devin, William F.; Squier, P.J.;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. Mrs. L. Delmore, Jr., smashed a bottle of champagne against the prow of one of the two tugs launched at McNeil Island on June 17, 1943 during the tradition of christening the vessel. Since she did so before the tug slid down the ways, the force of the bottle exploding drenched her from head to toe. The tug was to be turned over to the Army transport service. She was built with labor from McNeil Island inmates. (T. Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Delmore, L.--Family;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. Two sister tugs, T-88 and T-89, slid down the ways on Thursday, June 17, 1943 to loud cheering from spectators. The two ships launched were the second and third under the revived shipbuilding program during WWII. Both of them were to be turned over to the Army. Present at the event were prison officials and honored guests: (from left) master of ceremonies A.F. Lykke, James V. Bennett, Richard McGee, LTC D.M. Jacques of the Army Transport Corp, Seattle Mayor William F. Devin and Warden P.J. Squier of McNeil Island Penitentiary. The point was heavily emphasized that both vessels were built by McNeil Island prisoners. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Lykke, A.F.; Bennett, James V.; McGee, Richard; Jacques, D.M.; Devin, William F.; Squier, P.J.;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. These two ladies were the official sponsors of the two tugs, T-88 and T-89, built for the Army Transport Service by prisoners at McNeil Island. Mrs. L. Delmore, Jr. and Mrs. H.W. Algeo (from left) are pictured holding large bouquets of roses on June 17, 1943. They participated in the tradition of christening the ships with bottles of champagne. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1,3- alt. photographs)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Delmore, L.--Family; Algeo, H.W.--Family; Roses;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. Boat with flags strung from bow to bow moored in water next to wharf. Markings indicate that it was a U.S. Army tugboat, either T-88 or T-89, both of which were launched at McNeil on June 17, 1943. Both tugs were 65-ft. long with 16-ft beams. Douglas fir was used for everything except stem, sternposts and trim. The tugs were powered by Diesel engines. They were built for the Army Transport Service by McNeil Island inmates. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1,3- alt. photo)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island;

Coverage of twin launchings at McNeil Island. Vessel in water adjacent to wharf with a one-story building on it. 100 guests from the Mainland and proud inmate builders celebrated the launching of two 65-ft. tugboats built for the U.S. Army on June 17, 1943. WWII saw the revival of the shipbuilding program on McNeil which had seen the last ship constructed there by inmates way back in 1907. By June of 1943, three ships had been launched and of the three, one delivered to the Army in November of 1942. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1,3-various photographs)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island;

Coverage of twin launchings at McNeil Island. Close view of decorated wooden vessel, one of two sister tugs, waiting to be sent down the ways on June 17, 1943. Many spectators lean eagerly over the railings overlooking the ship. The tugs were built by prison labor. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1,3-alt. photo)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island;

Metal Trades Convention for the Labor Advocate. On March 2, 1943, four unidentified men who were convention delegates stood behind a table with a blackboard behind them showing tally of votes for president of the Pacific Coast District Metal Trades Council. Incumbent Anthony Ballerini was defeated in a re-election bid by Ed Weston of Seattle. A banner states: "Affiliated with the A.F. of L." Held at the Hotel Winthrop in early March of 1943, the wartime convention was concerned with the metal trade councils' responsibility to deliver vital goods essential to allied victory. Delegates took an aggressive stand against the NLRB-CIO's disruption in the shipbuilding industry. Keynote speaker was John P. Frey, president of the A.F. of L. Metal Trades Department, Washington D.C. (Tacoma Labor Advocate, 3-5-43, p. 1+ -article)

Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Metal Trades Council (Tacoma); Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Federation of Labor (Tacoma); Group portraits--1940-1950;

Queen and Court of Latter Day Saints at Weyerhauser Hall. Although no further information is available on this picture, it is most probably from the Gold and Green Ball, the winter social event of the church. The dance is sponsored by the Mutual Improvement Association of the Church. The event is named for the colors of the Mutual Improvement Association and it is staged in all stakes and missions of the church.

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Mormons--Tacoma;

Large group picture taken at February 1943 function of the Latter Day Saints at Weyerhauser Hall. Although no further information is available on this picture, it is most probably from the Gold and Green Ball, the winter social event of the church. The dance is sponsored by the Mutual Improvement Association of the Church. The event is named for the colors of the Mutual Improvement Association and it is staged in all stakes and missions of the church.

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Mormons--Tacoma;

Queen and Court of Latter Day Saints at Weyerhauser Hall. Although no further information is available on this picture, it is most probably from the Gold and Green Ball, the winter social event of the church. The dance is sponsored by the Mutual Improvement Association of the Church. The event is named for the colors of the Mutual Improvement Association and it is staged in all stakes and missions of the church.

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Mormons--Tacoma;

ca. 1942. Miraldi - Webb wedding. The wedding party is seated before decorated tables in this circa 1942 photograph. A traditional wedding cake awaits cutting by the new bride and groom. The bride's gown appears to be made of satin, with long sleeves, and she wears a bridal cap and veil.

Weddings--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Wedding attendants; Cakes;

This photograph is an overview of the ceremony on December 18, 1942 when the Tacoma Boat Building plant was presented with an "E Award" by the Army & Navy. The "E Award" was a production award, and the shipyard's was the first given for production of minesweepers. The award consisted of a "E" flag to fly over the plant and a pin for each employee. The company also took this opportunity to launch their newest minesweeper, the YMS 244.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Before a crowd of about 200, Tacoma Boat Building launched the YMS 244 on December 18, 1942. Later in the day, the company was presented with an "E Award" flag for excellence in the wartime production of minesweepers. More than 4,000 "E Pennants" were present to plants during WWII. They were a visible recognition of the patriotism and devotion of the company and its employees. (T. Times 12/19/1942, pg. 1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

December 18, 1942 was a very special day for Tacoma Boat Building. The company launched its newest minesweeper YMS 244 and received an Army/Navy "E" award flag. The "E" award was given for excellence in war production. The famous flag with the big "E" emblazoned on it became a badge of patriotism in action. The award consisted of a flag to be flown over the plant and a lapel pin for every employee within the plant. During the ceremony, an unidentified military officer makes a speech before a crowd of around 200. Music for the ceremony was supplied by the Coast Artillery Band.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Following the launching of the YMS 244 on December 18, 1942, Capt. A. C. Thomas presented "E" pins to the employees of Tacoma Boat Building. The pins were in recognition of their excellence in the production of mine sweepers. Various foreman from the Company's yard posed with Captain Thomas for this photograph. Pictured are, back row left to right, Lawrence Teasley, Clarence Hopkins, Bill Kvam, Clarence White, George Rau, John Kvamme and Walter Oliver. Front row, John Flintoff, F.L. Criswell, Capt. Thomas and Hugh McCreadie. (T. Times 12/23/1942, pg. 16)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

On December 18, 1942, Tacoma Boat Building received an "E Award" for excellence in wartime minesweeper production. One of several military men makes a speech at the ceremony. The sign board over speaker's box reads, "And if our lives should form and break; Because of things you fail to make; The extra tank or ship or plane; For which we waited all in vain; And the supplies that never came; Will you then come and take the blame; For we, not you, will pay the cost; Of battles you, not we, have lost!"

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);