Boat launching. A large standing crowd spills out onto the grounds of the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation yard on the evening of June 14, 1969, as they attentively listen to pre-launching speeches. The "Anne M, " a 165-foot tuna seiner, would shortly slip down the ways into City (now Thea Foss) Waterways. She has a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and would fish in the waters around Astoria for Bumble Bee Seafoods. Captain Frank Souza is the master of the ship. Scheduled delivery of the "Anne M" to her owners is for late August of 1969. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 6-16-69, p. 29) TPL-9404

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

Boat launching. Saturday, December 20, 1969, saw two major boat launchings in Tacoma. Mrs. W.F. Petrovic, wife of the commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, was the sponsor at the launching of the USS Benicia at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. She is standing with her family in pre-launching ceremonies. The 165-foot all-aluminum patrol gunboat was the first to be launched from one of the plant's 350-foot double ways. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petrovic, W.F.--Family;

Launching. View of the "Captain Vincent Gann" prior to her 8 p.m. launching on May 22, 1970. The 191-foot tuna seiner was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Plant #2 in the Port Industrial Yard. This would be the final launching at Plant #2 which had seen the production of nine fishing boats since 1966. All tuna boat construction in the future would be done at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. After her launching, the "Captain Vincent Gann" would be transported to the Hylebos location for outfitting and trials. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 5-22-70, D-7- article; TNT 5-24-70, B-11-article) TPL-9458

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

Launching. People stop and stare at the "Captain Vincent Gann," a 191-foot tuna seiner, on her launch date of May 22, 1970, at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Port Industrial Yard plant. The fishing boat would be the last launching at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Plant #2 as all future tuna boats would be constructed and launched at the new Hylebos Waterway location. She would be launched by Mrs. Edmund Gann, wife of the ship's owner. Delivery was expected to her San Diego-area owners in July. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 5-22-70, D-7 - article; TNT 5-24-70, B-11 - article) TPL-9459

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

Launching. The Tacoma Class Gunboat PG-100 (formerly PGM-100) was launched in ceremonies occurring at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. at 4:45 p.m. on June 19, 1970. She would be commissioned the "USS Douglas" in February of 1971. The gunboat had a displacement of 250-ton and was 165-feet in length. She had a speed of 40k and was equipped with two gun mounts and two twin .50-cal machine guns. Only 6 1/2 years after she was commissioned, she was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register. The "Douglas" was converted to a research vessel and renamed the R/V "Lauren." Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (www.navsource.org/achives; TNT 6-19-70, p. 7 - article)

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

Launching party. Posed before the patron gunboat PG-100 (formerly PGM-100) are the dignitaries involved in the launching ceremony on June 19, 1970. Clutching the traditional bouquet of beribboned red roses is Mrs. Willard F. Searle, Jr., of Alexandria, Virginia, the ship's sponsor who had the honor of christening the ship with a bottle of champagne. The "USS Douglas" was named after the city of Douglas, Arizona. Also in the photograph is believed to be Rear Adm. W.F. Petrovic, commander of the Puget Sound Naval Station. The gunboat was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., the last in a series of 12 aluminum gunboats built for the US Navy by that firm. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (TNT 6-19-70, p. 7- article)

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

1975 Richards color stock footage. Ships under construction in November of 1975 at what is believed to be the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp.'s yard adjoining the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. This aerial view also shows the new Familian-Northwest, Inc., plumbing supply building on 15th St. E.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Familian-Northwest, Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching. The 225-foot tuna seiner, "A.K. Strom," was launched at 8:30 a.m. on March 20, 1971, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities with Mrs. Floyd Burgi as the ship's sponsor. The ship is named after Tacoma Boatbuilding founder Arne K. Strom and was the first vessel named for the Strom family. Built at a total cost of over $2,000,000, she was the first of four identical boats expected to be completed this year by the shipyard. The "A.K. Strom" was capable of carying 1,425 tons of frozen tuna. After extensive ship trials, the seiner arrived in San Diego over Memorial Day weekend. Captained by David Rico and a crew of 16, she would fish for Star-Kist Foods, Inc. while based in Puerto Rico. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (Marine Digest - June 5, 1971; TNT 3-21-71, B-3; TNT 3-19-71, A-5-article ) TPL-9531

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

Launching party. The 258-foot tuna boat, "Apollo," was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities on the Hylebos Waterway on Saturday, October 24, 1970. She was the world's largest tuna clipper and the largest boat built by Tacoma Boatbuilding. The launching drew an interested crowd, including feature speaker, Congressman Floyd Hicks. Posed dockside are members of the launching party, with Mrs. Manuel Cintas, holding bouquet of red roses, as the ship's sponsor. Owners of the "Apollo" are Ocean Blazers, Inc. of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 10-23-70, p. 11- article; TNT 10-25-70, B-9)

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

Launching. The "Jacqueline Marie" was officially launched on Saturday, October 30, 1971, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. The tuna seiner, 225-feet in length and the fourth in the Strom class of ships, was christened by Mrs. Peter Giacalone, wife of the ship's captain. The ship bears her name. Following ship trials in mid-December, the "Jacqueline Marie" would be delivered to her owners, ETA Fishing Co., Inc. of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 10-31-71, B-1) TPL-9753

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

Ship under construction at Tacoma Boatbuilding in late summer of 1968. Tacoma Boatbuilding had suffered a devastating fire on August 17, 1968, with more than $2,000,000 in damages. Two Navy gunboats and the primary ship assembly plant were destroyed in the three-alarm fire. The company vowed to rebound from the loss and work did continue on undamaged vessels by the end of August. (TNT 8-17-68, p. 1, TNT 8-18-68, p. 1) TPL-9132

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

On April 17, 1941, the 205th Coast Artillery anti-aircraft unit conducted a defense practice at the Sea-Tac shipyards. Pictured is a camouflaged communications post. The 205th Coast Artillery was stationed at Fort Lewis. It was non divisional, attached directly to the IX Corps of the Fourth Army. The Seattle-Tacoma shipyards were considered a vulnerable target in case of attack and therefore were chosen as the site of a mock raid. The 205th strung itself on the tideflats and the surrounding hillsides, defending the shipyard and other industries from air raids by the planes of the 116th. (T. Times 4/16/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); 205th Coast Artillery (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training;

Crew of the Cape Alava before final departure from Tacoma. The cargo ship has been assigned to the American Mail Line for service in the Northwest-Orient route.

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

Aerial progress photo of construction at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (see D11537 image 22 for previous month) The waterway at the top of the photo is Hylebos Creek and the one below the shipyard is Wapato Waterway. To the right of the shipyard is the Hooker Chemical plant at the top, with the Peterman Manufacturing plant below. The STSC was expanding to meet the demands of new military contracts. Under construction were five additional new ways, more dockage space and expanded fabrication facilities.

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

The August 6, 1941 sea trials of the "Oregon," formerly known as the Cape Cleare. The ship was built by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. as Hull #3 and M.C. 121- C1B Cargo. It was one of five identical cargo ships built by the company. Photograph ordered by the U.S. Maritime Commission TPL-1870

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

The Skipper of the "Oregon" and his wife pose on the deck of the ship in front of one of the huge smokestacks. The Oregon was originally launched as the Cape Cleare. It was built at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. as Hull #3, also known as MC 121. The Oregon was damaged in a collision in 1941 and sunk. The Richards Studio notes indicate that this picture was taken in Oregon.

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

On September 27, 1941, the hulk of the U.S. Army transport Frederick Funston towers above the crowd at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard. Preparations are being made to launch the vessel. The ship is shown on the ways, with bunting and a gang of workers on the bow. A large crowd is watching. The ship will be christened by Barbara Funston; the vessel is the namesake of her father Maj. Gen. Frederick Funston.

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

Perched above the deck of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard on Tacoma's tideflats, a group of shipyard workers watched on September 27, 1941 as the Frederick Funston was made ready for its christening ceremony. The new U.S. Army transport was named for the late Major General Frederick Funston; his daughter came to Tacoma from San Francisco to take part in the launching. (T. Times 9/29/1941, pg. 1)

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

Sea-Tac Shipyard, aerial view of facilities. Docks, buildings, equipment and water.

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

Sea-Tac Shipyard, general view of facilities. Docks, buildings, equipment and water.

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

In October of 1941, as the shift ends at the Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., a long line of automobiles winds its way down Alexander Ave. into the city. The roadway of Alexander Ave. was only 18 feet wide, creating a long line of traffic. Recent work had increased the roadbed to 36 feet in width. The shipyard currently employed 3,000 and would be adding an additional 5,000 jobs in the next few months. (T. Times 10/10/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New paving on Alexander Avenue showing automobiles and other traffic from the shipyard. The plans called for Alexander Ave. to be doubled in width and paved to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. to handle increased traffic. On the left of the road, workers can be seen doing the enlarging. (T. Times 10/10/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1940. Bow view of freighter "Cape Flattery", second vessel launched by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. The Cape Flattery served as a troopship beginning in 1943. The vessel was scrapped in 1971. (Argentum)

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

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Pacific Boat Building. Trial run of "Victory".

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Clyde cranes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation in December of 1941.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery;

As the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. received more government contracts, they doubled and tripled their production. By April of 1942, traffic during morning and evening rush hours brought Alexander Ave. to a standstill. The city continued to run municipal buses, but they were bogged down in the traffic as well. Nearly 1/2 of the city's equipment was stuck during rush hour. The yard's private parking lot contained 700-800 cars that poured out of 4 exits directly onto Alexander. Staffing at the yard was expected to double by the year's end. (TT 5/8/1942, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950;