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;

By 1943, Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. was building more carriers than any other U. S. shipyard. They also had the only shipyard instruction classes. The yard induction school was the first of its kind in the Northwest, and several Tacoma-area women were enrolled in the classes. View of seven unidentified women who were students at Seattle Tacoma Yard Induction School. TPL-9954

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Education--Tacoma; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat Facilities. A view of the exterior of Tacoma Boat Building Company situated along City Waterway. TPL-6646

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Interior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. plant. Laborer working in plant. TPL-6653

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. boat interior. TPL-8863

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Interior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. plant. Elaborate machiery was used for boatbuilding. TPL-6651

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Meeting the Army and Navy compliance for the wood and diesel type ships is an important part of the building process for Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. TPL-8862

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Wood and Diesel ships were built by Tacoma Boatbuiling Co. for new Army and Navy fleets. This view shows stockpiles of lumber at Reliance Lumber Co. adjacent to Tacoma Boatbuilding Co.

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Tacoma Boat Building Company is working on its 18th minesweeper for the government. They are one of two shipyards in Tacoma to be honored with the Army-Navy "E" pennant. Interior view of workshop showing laborers at work. TPL-6647

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. was started in 1936 by H. Dahl and A. Strom. The partners wanted to build fishing vessels for North Pacific Fishermen. In 1941 they signed a contract to build government boats and moved to a larger, newly expanded plant at the head of the City Waterway. Interior view of workshop and laborer. TPL-6645

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Interior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. plant. Elaborate machinery used for boatbuilding can be seen here. TPL-6648

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Interior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. plant. Cubicle for parts are shown on left side of this workshop. TPL-6652

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Interior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. plant. Elaborate machinery used for boatbuilding enabled the company to produce minesweepers for the war effort. TPL-6649

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Exterior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. A glimpse of the YMS minesweeper can be seen on the right, Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. received a contract for $700,000 for each of the minesweepers built at this time. TPL-6650

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

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);

Puget Sound Boat. Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. was started in 1942 by father and son Charles and John Martinolich and insurance man William Healy. They began building fishing boats, but after receiving an Army contract for four ocean going tugs and eight self propelled barges, they focused on completing the Army vessels. View of Army 127 footer with twin screws on Puget Sound.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Government vessels--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat. Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. gained recognition for their fishing boats and were rated among the top boat builders in Tacoma. They built many vessels for the Army Transportation Division as well. Interior view of boat building plant at Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. TPL-8864

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Sea Boy launching. Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. launched the 85- ft. sardine boat, "Sea Boy," into the City Waterway on July 1, 1944. Many gathered to view the impressive sight. View of three unidentified individuals, including an infant, who were present at launching of "Sea Boy." (T. Times, 7/1/44, p. 4)

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

Sea Boy launching. Sea Boy is the 10th boat built and the 9th launched from the Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. site. It is the fourth seine boat built at this shipyard. View of Sea Boy, an 85 ft. sardine boat being launched into City Waterway (T. Times, 7/1/44, p. 4). TPL-8865

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

Sea Boy launching. An 85 ft. sardine boat built by Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp for Bill and Ted Healy was launched into Puget Sound on July 1st. This event was sponsored by Mary Klemme. View of William Healy, Iris Healy, Mary Klemme, Marguerite Healy and Theodore Healy at the Sea Boy launching (T. Times, 7/1/44, p. 4).

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Healy, Bill--Family; Healy, Ted--Family;