Crowds view the crumpled remains of the Boeing Stratoliner, which crashed near Alder, Washington, 30 miles southeast of Tacoma, on March 18, 1939. Close-up of wrecked airplane debris. The experimental craft, costing $500,000, and weighing 20 tons, was designed to revolutionize cross country transportation by air. March 18th was supposed to be uneventful "Test Flight #19," however the aircraft inexplicably crashed, killing the crew of ten. The Air Safety Board in June of 1939 ruled the accident was due to structural failure. The plane went into an inadvertent spin, subsequent to a stall at an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet. The board felt that the failure of the wings and horizontal tail surfaces were due to excessive loads, cause by air pressure. The loads were in excess of what the wings and tail were designed for. (T. Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1; 6/2/1939, pg. 2)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner;

View of cracked fuselage. On March 18, 1939, people living near Alder, 30 miles southeast of Tacoma, looked-up to see this Boeing Stratoliner fall to earth in a fatal tailspin. The four-engine aircraft, designed to revolutionize cross-country transportation, broke apart as it fell and crashed into Nisqually Canyon. All ten men on-board the test flight were killed. The Air Safety Board of the Civil Aeronautics Authority immediately ventured to the scene to investigate the tragedy. (T. Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner;

Stratoliner crash at Alder, Washington, March 18, 1939. Close-up of wrecked airplane debris from the Boeing experimental craft. The ten member crew was killed, possibly instantly, when the 20-ton aircraft plunged two miles into the rural hillside. The crew was composed of experienced test pilots, Boeing employees, and two representatives from the Netherlands. The plane, preparing to be licensed for commercial flying, was to be tested on Monday, March 20, 1939, on a governmental inspection flight. Instead, both wingtips and part of its tail broke off while in the air. The Air Safety Board of the C.A.A. would be investigating the accident which occurred under excellent flying conditions with clear visibility. (T.Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner;

Stratoliner crash near Alder, March 18, 1939. Four men have the grim task of carrying a body on a stretcher to a road near the wooded accident site. Killed were: test pilots Harlan Hull, Julius Barr, Earl Ferguson and William Doyle; Boeing staff John Kylstra, Harry West, Ralph Cram and Benjamin Pearson, as well as Dutch representatives Peter Guilonard and A.G. Von Baumhauer. Escaping death was Bob Bush, Boeing engineer, who had been scheduled to be on the flight but was left off because there was no more room. (T. Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner; Litters;

Boeing Stratoliner crash at Alder, Washington, on March 18, 1939. A large crowd gathered around airplane wreckage manage to get very close to the smashed craft. The experimental craft had its cigar-shaped fuselage cracked wide open in three places. Both of its wingtips and part of the tail had broken off without warning, causing the plane to plunge directly to the hillside two miles below. The tragedy was viewed by many residents of this rural community, far away from normal flight paths. On Sunday, March 19th, crowds driving out to view the sight of this tragedy clogged the Mountain Highway. Parking was not available for a mile in either direction. (T. Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner;

Looking more like a crumpled soda can than an airplane, the experimental "sub-stratosphere" Boeing plane, the "Stratoliner," lies where it crashed on March 18, 1939 in the Nisqually Canyon, 1/4 mile from Alder. In nearly ideal flying conditions, the half million dollar plane, designed to revolutionize cross country flying, took off on its 17th test flight. It carried 10 people; test pilots for Transcontinental and Western Airlines, Boeing test pilots, engineers and executives and 2 representatives of the Royal Dutch Airline. Shortly after 12 noon, the four engine plane, all engines running loudly, took a nose dive and plunged to the hillside about two miles below, wing tips and tail structure breaking off enroute, and killing everyone on board. The tragedy was witnessed from the ground by at least 20 individuals. (T. Times 3/18/1934- 3/30/1934, pg. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner;

State Patrol officer Joe Sladek's head juts from the wreckage of the experimental aircraft, the Boeing Stratoliner, which crashed near Alder on the afternoon of March 18, 1939, killing everyone on board. The 33 passenger aircraft was intended by Boeing to revolutionize cross country air travel. The plane had already logged in sixteen successful test flights and was to receive government inspection, preparatory to being licensed for commercial travel, in just a few days. However, on routine "Test Flight #19," the plane, all four engines roaring, lost its wingtips and tail section and smashed into the hillside 2 miles below. The accident was witnessed by over 20 rural residents. As word of the accident got out, police were required to keep the crowd back. Even so, spectators managed to carry off several essential pieces of the debris. (T. Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner; Sladek, Joe;

Boeing Stratoliner crash at Alder, Washington, 30 miles southeast of Tacoma, on March 18, 1939. Close-up of wrecked airplane debris. The experimental craft, costing $500,000, and weighing 20 tons, crashed and killed a crew of ten on Saturday afternoon, March 18, 1939. Both wingtips and part of the tail broke off without warning, plunging the aircraft to the hillside two miles below. Flying conditions were excellent and there was clear visibility. The Stratoliner was preparing to be licensed for commercial flying and was scheduled for a governmental inspection flight on March 20, 1939. It had already logged in twenty flight hours. The plane's crew was composed of several experienced Boeing pilots and two Dutch representatives. (T. Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner;

Stratoliner crash at Alder, Washington, March 18, 1939. A large crowd gathered around the wrecked airplane which had unexpectedly broken up and plunged two miles into the rural hillsides near Alder, 30 miles southeast of Tacoma. There were no survivors among the ten member crew. The tragedy would draw people from all over the state, necessitating the deputizing of several local residents to handle crowd control. Despite additional police help, avid souvenir hunters made off with bits of debris from the Boeing craft. The $500,000 airplane weighed twenty tons and its cabin was constructed to carry 33 passengers when completed. It was designed to fly "sub stratosphere," 5-6 miles above earth, in the "no weather" zone. It had already logged in 20 hours of flight time prior to the accident. (T. Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner;

March 18, 1939, Boeing Stratoliner crash at Alder, Washington. Large crowd standing on and around the wrecked airplane. Pierce County Sheriffs and police from surrounding communities had to move the crowd back from the crushed aircraft. 3000 gallons of gasoline had spilled under the plane and the danger of explosion was present. The accident occurred approximately 1:21 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, 1939, when the experimental craft lost its wingtips and part of the tail and plunged into the rural hillsides near Alder. Ten men lost their lives, including two representatives from the Netherlands. The four-engine aircraft was supposed to revolutionize cross-country transportation and had already logged in twenty hours of flight time. (T.Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner;

View of cracked fuselage. On March 18, 1939, people living near Alder, 30 miles southeast of Tacoma, looked-up to see this Boeing Stratoliner fall to earth in a fatal tailspin. The four-engine aircraft, designed to revolutionize cross-country transportation, broke apart as it fell and crashed into Nisqually Canyon. All ten men on-board the test flight were killed. The Air Safety Board of the Civil Aeronautics Authority immediately ventured to the scene to investigate the tragedy. (T. Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner;

Tacoma Dairy truck in front of Art Deco-style building in March of 1939. For Fageol Motor Sales.

Trucks--1930-1940; Buildings--1930-1940; Tacoma Dairy (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma;

The launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer 408, the U. S. S. Wilson, took place April 12, 1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton. At 90% complete, the vessel was 341-feet-long with 1725 tons displacement. It carried a complement of 9 officers and 175 men. It was commissioned July 5, 1939 and received eleven battle stars for service in World War II. After sustaining damage during the war, it was selected as a target during the atom bomb test at Bikini Atoll in July of 1946. It was decommissioned in August of 1946 but remained afloat and was finally scuttled off Kwajelein in March of 1948. (T. Times, 4/13/39, p.20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer #408, the U. S. S. Wilson, on April 12, 1939. The ship was decorated with pennants and bunting and photographed at dock in the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton. Ship launchings at the Navy yard differed from those at Tacoma Shipyards. The craft was built in a construction dock which was flooded for launching, much like a bathtub. The launching consisted of the gates being opened and the boat towed out into the Sound. The destroyer under construction in the background was almost entirely submerged during the ceremony. (T. Times 4/13/1939, p. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

The destroyer USS Wilson (#408) was launched April 12,1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. On hand for the launching were, left to right, Rear Admiral E. B. Fenner, Mrs. Fenner (sponsor), Governor Clarence Martin, Mrs. Arthur B. Langlie, Major General Walter C. Sweeney. Mrs. Sweeney, and Seattle Mayor Arthur Langlie. The vessel was named after Seaman Charles Wilson, who was recognized for distinguished service in the Navy during the Civil War. (T.Times 4/13/1939, pg. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton);Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Mayors--Seattle; Fenner, Edward B.; Sweeney, Walter C.;

Various delivery trucks and a motorcycle delivery vehicle parked outside the Seymour Conservatory in Wright Park. Publicity for Titus Motor Company. (filed with Argentum)

Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Seymour Conservatory (Tacoma); Wright Park (Tacoma); Greenhouses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Continental Bakery employees in Western clothes and wearing Jubilee hats posed in front of bakery and two Wonder Bread trucks with sign "Picnic Days Are Here Again." A large sign on top of the roof proudly proclaims Continental as the "Home of Wonder Bread."

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Continental Baking Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Jennings Hardware truck in front of the store, located at 1148 Pacific Ave., with two men standing beside it. Safeway Store on right. Jennings Hardware was having a well publicized "Remodeling Sale." (filed with Argentum)

Jennings Hardware (Tacoma); Ford trucks--1930-1940; Hardware stores--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Per Richards Studio notes: "New Sterling truck sold to Mr. Frank Douglas to use as Tacoma-Rainier Auto Freight truck." Frank Douglas was the owner of the Tacoma-Rainier Auto Freight Co. at 523 Puyallup Ave. Sterling trucks are still made today; they are specialized work trucks. (filed with Argentum)

Sterling trucks; Tacoma-Rainier Auto Freight Co. (Tacoma);

Two Highway Truck Equipment Company dump trucks, with beds raised, built as new garbage trucks for City. (filed with Argentum)

Highway Truck Co. (Tacoma); Dump trucks;

1939 Dock scenes of "Lake Frances of Tacoma" ship. Close-up view of cargo ship being unloaded, equipment for new Narrows Bridge. Crew member and a woman are on deck. Vertical image.

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shipping--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Ahren's Transport Company flatbed truck with wooden sided, open top bed. Three other vehicles in background. (filed with Argentum)

Ahren's Transport Co. (Tacoma); Trucks;

Ahren's Transport Company semi truck with wooden sided, open top trailer. (filed with Argentum)

Ahren's Transport Co. (Tacoma); Trucks;

Ford pick-up truck parked next to a large shrub on hill of front yard with rear end at top of hill. Two Victorian-style houses in background. Description in Richards notes: "Small Ford truck parked on terrace." No other information provided for this September, 1939, photograph.

Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford trucks;

1939 Studebaker Champion automobile being raffled by Ray C. Roberts V.F.W. Post on back of a flatbed truck. Truck has logo of man riding a bronco on the door. The automobile was raffled off at a VFW benefit ball. For a picture of the car with its winner, Clara Thorsen, see D8931 images 1& 3. (filed with Argentum)

Studebaker automobile; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ray C. Roberts Post # 969 (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1930-1940; Signs (Notices)

1939 Studebaker Champion automobile being raffled by Ray C. Roberts V.F.W. Post on back of a flatbed truck. Truck has logo of man riding a bronco on the door. The automobile was raffled off at a VFW benefit ball. For a picture of the car with its winner, Clara Thorsen, see D8931 images 1& 3. (filed with Argentum)

Studebaker automobile; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ray C. Roberts Post # 969 (Tacoma);

On October 3, 1939, Beulah Eskildsen (left) and Janet Hatch received instruction from Ben Barry about the instruments in a small mono-plane. Mr. Barry was a commercial pilot at the Mueller-Harkins Airport where the students of the federal government pilot training program, the Civilian Pilot Training Program, received their in-flight instruction. Imitating European countries, America had instituted the Civilian Pilot Training Program (1938-44) to increase the number of civilian pilots and our military preparedness. The program provided new opportunities in aviation for women and Afro-Americans. Women were trained under the program at a ratio of about 1 woman to 10 men, until war preparation demanded that all graduates enlist. At that time, women were excluded from the program because they were not allowed to fly in the military. But by mid 1941, the program had already trained around 2,500 women, many who became Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs.) (T.Times 10-05-1939 p.12; www.nationmuseum.af.mil)

Airplanes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flight training--Tacoma--1930-1940; Monoplanes; Eskildsen, Beulah; Hatch, Janet; Barry, Ben; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Mueller-Harkins Airport (Lakewood);

Girls from the College of Puget Sound interested in government training for pilots. Ben Barry, instructor, discusses the propeller operation with Beulah Eskildsen, left, and Janet Hatch. Radiators are mounted on each side to the nose of the airplane.These co-eds are part of the 400 nationwide taking the federal government up on its offer to train women as student pilots. (T. Times 10/5/1939, pg. 12)

Airplanes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flight training--Tacoma--1930-1940; Monoplanes; Eskildsen, Beulah; Hatch, Janet; Barry, Ben; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mueller-Harkins Airport (Lakewood);

Chevrolet Safety Truck going through test at State Vehicle Safety Inspection Station. Joe Thomas, right, head of the safety inspection station, documents the truck's approval rating for former race car driver Harry Hartz, left. The Chevrolet demonstration truck has travelled over 73,000 miles, criss crossing America. Thomas, a former automobile racer himself, introduced Hartz to the world of racing in 1919. Hartz twice won the Indianapolis Speedway Classic before being seriously injured in a crash. (T. Times 11/1 1939, pg. 13) (filed with Argentum)

Vehicle Safety Inspection Station (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks; Thomas, Joe; Hartz, Harry;

Joe Thomas, head of the state safety inspection station on South 38th Street, greets former race car driver Harry Hartz, at the wheel of his famous Chevrolet demonstration truck, in October of 1939. The truck has travelled over 73,000 miles, crisscrossing the country, including a trek up Pikes Peak to the 14,110-foot level, without adjustments or trouble of any kind. The truck's travels are under the watchful eye of the American Automobile Association (AAA) who certifies the truck's performance. Thomas, a former race car driver himself, taught Hartz racing in 1919. Hartz won the Indianapolis Speedway Classic twice before being seriously injured in a crash. Guy Sheehan, manager of the South Tacoma Motor Co., a Chevrolet dealer, had also come out to see the long running truck. He is believed to be the man on the left. (T. Times 11/1/1939, pg. 13) (filed with Argentum)

Vehicle Safety Inspection Station (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks; Thomas, Joe; Hartz, Harry;