White truck with special equipment in front of White Trucks offices. The White Company of Cleveland, Ohio began manufacturing heavy duty trucks in 1900.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; White trucks; Tacoma White Trucks, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

US Air Force jet airplane. The pilot can be seen clearly in the cockpit. The jet was stationed at McChord Air Force Base. Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune.

Airplanes; Fighter planes--U.S. Air Force--1950-1960;

This photograph of a North American F-86D fighter on the runway at McChord Air Force Base was taken in December of 1953 for an article on the history of aviation that appeared in the Tacoma News Tribune. In 1953 the F-86D Sabre was the fastest regulation military aircraft in the world. In July of that year it had set a new world speed record of 715.697 m.p.h. over a 3 km course. The only thing faster was the experimental Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket which by December of 1953 had been clocked at speeds up to 1,327 m.p.h. (Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune.) (TNT 12/12/1953 p.16)

Airplanes; Fighter planes--U.S. Air Force--1950-1960;

Commercial fishermen at the Port of Tacoma's new Fishing Boat Haven. The Haven was completed the previous summer and by January of 1954 was rapidly filling with fishing boats. The manager J.R. Woodruff stated that 52 various sized craft had been using the expanded haven. The big net shed at the site was 70% full with renters expected to fill the building shortly. The background shipbuilding company is believed to be Western Boat Building Co. (TNT 1/17/1954, pg. B-2)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Chlorine tanks are securely fastened on a barge which was dockside on April 23, 1954. There are three separate sets of rails on board to accomodate the tanks. The freighter, Mogul, out of Vancouver, British Columbia, is by the barge's side. The bridge shown in the distance between the two vessels possibly spans the Hylebos Waterway. Photograph ordered by the Griffith Steamship Ltd.

Cargo ships--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Ace Furnace & Steel Co., truck loaded with two boilers, a fan and tanks. Ace Furnace was located at 3740 So. Union Ave. and was owned by Alvin T. Davies. Davies was also president of Birchfield Boilers. Ace manufactured industrial products out of steel. Their product list included boilers, furnaces, tanks and pre-fabricated gas stations.

Ace Furnace & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Metalworking--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Ace Furnace & Steel Co., truck loaded with two boilers, a fan and tanks. Ace Furnace was located at 3740 So. Union Ave. and was owned by Alvin T. Davies. Davies was also president of Birchfield Boilers. Ace manufactured industrial products out of steel. Their product list included boilers, furnaces, tanks and pre-fabricated gas stations.

Ace Furnace & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Metalworking--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

ca. 1950. Copy of customer print. Six Air Force personnel, three of them pilots, pose in front of three jets in an undated photograph. The pilots are equipped with parachutes and holding helmets. These men are probably assigned to the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. The actual date of the original print is unknown; a print was made on March 25, 1957. Photograph ordered by Munson-Smith Motors.

Airplanes; Military air pilots;

ca. 1950. Copy of customer print. Two airmen, backs to the camera, grip the wing of an Air Force jet in an undated photograph. The plane is a F-102A fighter intercepter. Each serviceman is wearing a flight jacket with a "318th F15" label on the back, along with the same Mach Wave emblem shown on the tail of the plane. The logo consisted of two overlapped chevrons, suggesting space age theme. These men may have been assigned to the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at McChord Air Force Base. The photograph was possibly part of a set produced by the Public Relations Office when the 318th was upgrading their aircraft from the F-94c two seat fighters to the pictured version. The F-102A fighters were later assigned to the 57th Fighter Group 64th FIS, Paine Field. They were assigned to the Philippine Islands for support during the Vietnam War. Photograph ordered by Munson-Smith Motors. Copy of print was made on March 25, 1957. (information on the fighter and emblem supplied by patron)

Airplanes; Military air pilots;

AMS #118 prepares to be launched on April 14, 1953. The minesweeper was built by Pacific Boat Building Co. Several boat building firms in Tacoma had received contracts to build minesweepers for the Navy, including Pacific Boat Building and J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. AMS #436, the USS Energy, had been launched just two months before by Martinac. The 118 was the third of the 144 foot minesweepers built locally. Mrs. Charles M. Bevis sponsored the AMS #118; Rear Admiral Arthur D. Ayrault, USN (Ret.) was the principal speaker. (TNT 4-15-53, p. 6)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Each new Arden Milk truck is matched with its own driver on February 21, 1953. Arden Farms had just received four new refrigerated Ford trucks for use in delivering their milk and other dairy products. Arden drivers were neat in appearance with striped overalls, white shirts, ties and company caps. TPL-8083

Arden Farms Co. (Tacoma)--People; Ford trucks;

Children perched high on a ladder get a good bird's eye view on May 15, 1953, of the launching of two vessels built by the Tacoma Boat Building Co. for the Navy. They, and the large group of spectators, listen intently to a guest speaker at the podium. The two 57-foot minesweepers, MSB-16 and MSB-17, were launched within minutes of each other. (TNT 5-17-53, B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Two 57-foot minesweepers are side-by-side shortly after being launched on May 15, 1953. Built by Tacoma Boat Building under a Navy contract, the vessels were launched minutes apart. The MSB-17 is accompanied by the tug, Drew Foss, while the MSB-16 is escorted by the Peter Foss. Tacoma Boat Building also was awarded contracts to build several 144-foot mindsweepers during the early 1950's. (TNT 5-17-53, B-7) TPL-9620

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Overhead view of boats. A Foss tugboat, wearing its ever present logo "Always Ready", is stationed next to other vessels in the Sitcum Waterway on May 15, 1953. Foss tugs were used in the launching of minesweepers built for the Navy by local boat building companies. This Foss boat was used that evening to help escort two 57-foot minesweepers built by Tacoma Boat Building and launched within minutes of one another. Appropriately, the launchings occurred just prior to Armed Forces Day which was celebrated heavily in the Puget Sound region. (TNT 5-17-53, B-7)

Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1953. Three cars are parked next to the Winthrop Hotel, 773 Broadway, in the fall of 1953. An ornate marquee extending over the sidewalk would help to protect exiting car occupants and passersby from inclement weather. The elegant hotel was built in 1925 with funds supplied by a local subscription drive. It was named after explorer and author Theodore Winthrop who helped popularize the Northwest. BU-12138

Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

With a mighty swing, Jeanne Martin Soares christens the new "Blue Pacific" on March 29, 1967. The vessel was launched at Tacoma Boat Building. She was a 176-foot steel tuna seiner built for Capt. Roger Soares of San Diego who placed her in operation for White Star- Van Camp Seafoods. The "Blue Pacific" was the largest tuna fishing boat built from the keel up at the time. She was constructed in the Port Industrial Yard (the former Tacoma Naval Station) by Tacoma Boat Building. Moments after the christening, the "Blue Pacific" eased down the ways and came to a standstill before she finally floated free. Five Foss tugs assisted when the boat was hung up. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building. (TNT 3-12-67, A-23, TNT 3-29-67, A-1) TPL-9061 (Corrected identification provided by a reader)

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

Floating cannery docked near Tacoma Marine Supply. The "Princess Roxane" was a former ferry known as the Tourist No. 3 that shuttled across the mouth of the Columbia River until the Astoria-Megler bridge was completed in 1966. After sale and renovation, she was renamed the "Princess Roxane," a self-propelled floating King crab processor. Her car deck had been fitted with live tanks with a capacity of 9,000 large size Alaska king crab and her passenger cabin was rebuilt to provide a crew of 18 with living and dining areas. She was part of the Pacific Pearl Seafoods and would join the floating shrimp cannery at Kodiak. Canning operations on board would be able to process 650 cases of 24 cans of crab each eight hour shift. (TNT 6-11-67, D-19,www.cimorelli.com/cgi-bin/magellanscripts/ship_bio1.asp?ShipName=Tourist +No.+3...) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Canneries;

Waves break over the bow of the J.M. Martinac, tuna seiner, on July 18, 1967, as she makes her way home to Southern California. The ship, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., was launched on March 27th. She was the fifth fishing vessel built for Lou Brito of San Diego by Martinac, and was named after the company's founder. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. TPL-9134c

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

The 154-foot tuna seiner, the J.M. Martinac, is underway on July 18, 1967. A small tugboat, probably from Foss, accompanies the much larger vessel. The J.M. Martinac, named after the founder of Martinac Shipbuilding, was built for San Diego skipper Lou Brito. She was launched on March 27, 1967. This photograph was believed to have been taken from the 11th Street Bridge. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9125

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

Ship's sponsor. The U.S. Navy patrol gunboat, the "Tacoma," is ready for launching into Commencement Bay on April 13, 1968. Mrs. Arne Strom, the ship's sponsor, is holding a bouquet of longstem red roses. Her husband, standing next to her, is the chairman of the board of Tacoma Boat Building. Mrs. Strom would have the honor of christening the new vessel with the traditional bottle of champagne. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co. (TNT 4-14-68, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Strom, Arne; Strom, Arne--Family;

Waves break across the bow of the "Pacific Queen" tuna seiner as she undergoes sea trials on January 11, 1968. The all-steel, 165-foot vessel was launched on September 16, 1967, at Martinac Shipbuilding. Manned by a crew of 13, she could carry 650 tons of frozen tuna. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. (TNT 9-10-67, C-23, TNT 9-17-67, C-19) TPL-9127

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

Sea trials of the "Pacific Queen." A broadside view of the fishing boat, the "Pacific Queen," as she undergoes sea trials on January 11, 1968. Built by Martinac Shipbuilding for owners Joseph and Edward Gann of San Diego, the "Pacific Queen" was launched on September 16, 1967. She measured 165-feet in length and was constructed entirely of steel. (TNT 9-10-67, C-23, TNT 9-17-67, C-19) TPL-9128

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

One obviously happy lady is reaching for the set of car keys from a grinning man as she and four other women enjoy a new automobile on May 30, 1968. The women have just picked up the new vehicle. Two other women stand outside the two-door sedan, one holds a small dog. Photograph ordered by Vanda Cosmetics Co., Orlando, Florida.

Automobiles--1960-1970; Dogs;

Tacoma Boat Building launched MSC-277, a 145-foot minesweeper built for the Navy, on June 30, 1958, in Sitcum Waterway. During the early 1950's, Tacoma's shipbuilding companies had garnered several contracts to build vessels for the government. This wooden minesweeper, however, was the first to be formally launched in nearly two years by a Tacoma firm. Tacoma Boat Building was awarded a contract to build four minesweepers for the Navy at a cost of approximately $7 million. Since then, the firm had received contracts totaling $4.25 million for six more Navy craft. The ship's sponsor was Mrs. Guy Garland, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (TNT 6-27-58, A-1, TNT 6-29-58, B-2, TNT 7-1-58, A-6))

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

An employee of the Simmons Oyster Co. in Olympia stands on a wooden barge preparing to use his large fork to shovel the piles of oysters into a holding tank. His plywood craft is adjacent to the barge with a further assortment of tools on board. A Johnson motor guides the small boat. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Barges--Olympia; Oysters; Shellfish industry--Olympia; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A large Dodge truck carrying a load of wooden crates covered with chicken wire is parked in front of a line of Pederson's Fryer Farms delivery vans. The driver's door is held open by Jack F. Kidd Sr. (left) while he has a discussion with Joseph (Jack) M. Pederson Jr. They may be talking about the chickens on board. Pederson's employed 88 people, including fifteen delivery drivers. The company, owned by J.M. (Jody) and Dorothy Pederson, had opened a newly enlarged fryer plant in June, 1958. It was a thriving business for many years; later the firm was sold to the Foster Farms Company in 1996. Photograph ordered by Pederson's Fryer Farms. (TNT 6-19-58, A-4, TNT 6-22-58, B-13)

Pederson's Fryer Farms (Tacoma); Chicken industry--Tacoma; Dodge trucks; Crates--Tacoma; Kidd, Jack F.; Pederson, Joseph M.;

A look at the new lighted car lot belonging to Walker Chevrolet on April 24, 1964. The 40,000 sq.ft. lot is packed with Chevrolet trucks and automobiles, both new and used. Walker Chevrolet would be welcoming the Tacoma Giants with a "giant" opening celebration. A half-page ad in the May 1, 1964, News Tribune indicated that autographed free baseballs as well as many other prizes would be given away. Walker Chevrolet had been at its Division Ave. location since 1934. In the picture's background are the Tacoma Bible Presbyterian Church and on Tacoma Ave. So., the Romanesque First Presbyterian Church. (TNT ad 5-1-64, p. A-4, B-2)

Walker Chevrolet Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Tacoma Bible Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

Broadside view of the "Widgeon" as she undergoes sea trials on August 13, 1964. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp.

Ship trials--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The "Point Judith" was built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding in Tacoma, launched on March 16, 1966, and commissioned that July. She is pictured above undergoing sea trials in mid-July of 1966. "Point Judith" was the first of 26 new Point Class 82-foot Coast Guard cutters built to replace similar cutters sent to Vietnam. This patrol boat was designed to have light steel hulls and aluminum superstructures. The "Point Judith" would spend her life stationed in California, at San Pedro and Santa Barbara. She was used for law enforcement and search-and-rescue operations until being decommissioned in January, 1992, and transferred to Venezuela. "Point Judith" was the first cutter built outside the Coast Guard's own shipyards in Curtis Bay, MD. Costs for the 26 cutters averaged approximately $400,000 apiece. Ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. (TNT 10-30-66, A-17); (www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBCUTTERS/Point_Judith.html; Newell, Gordon: Maritime Events of 1966, McCurdy: Marine History of the Pacific N.W.1966-1976);

Ship trials--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Government vessels--Tacoma;

Interiors of the sailboat, the Indra IV, ordered by Edward Benjamin of New Orleans. The cabin area. For exterior shots, see D122376, Image # 14 & 21.The boat was built by Western Boat Building. The cabins were of mahogany. The ship carried bunks for 12 passengers and crew, plus a spacious cabin. It also had a large salon. The craft was built to be both fast and luxurious. It was believed to be one of the fastest sailing yachts in the United States. (TNT 7/19/1959, pg. B-2; 7/22/1959, pg. 1)

Sailboats; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;