The young girl uses the rudder to steer the small sailboat while controlling the sail with a rope. The small sailboat is just large enough for one. The girl appears to be heading into shore. The sailboat is the "Pipsqueak," designed by John Burroughs of Tacoma for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. It could be built from 2 panels of plywood in 2-3 evenings for a cost of around $30.00. Free plans were available, or patterns were available for $1.00. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B -10)

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

With the gaily striped sail blowing gently with the breeze, the young girl fastens it in preparation for taking the small sailboat out. The rudder and its control arm can be seen clearly at the rear of the ship. The girl wears a life jacket. Photographs ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. This sailboat, the "Pipsqueak," was designed for youngsters ages 6-10 to use in an enclosed area where adult supervision was available. The mast can be detached to convert it to a paddle boat. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B-10) TPL-8803

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

ca. 1956. A boy and girl erect a sail on a small childsize sailboat prior to taking it out on a summer day for a leisurely sail. Both children wear a life vest. The boy handles the sail while the girl loads an oar, in case the wind does not cooperate. Photograph ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The sailboat, named the "Pipsqueak," is 5 feet long, 33" wide and 15" deep; it weighs less than 50 pounds. It is designed for children ages 6-10 to sail alone in an enclosed area with adult supervision. Supervision was neccessary because a stiff wind would quickly carry the boat out to deeper water. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B-10) TPL-9510

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

The launching of the USS Pledge, MSO 492, at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The minesweeper was the ninth of its class to be launched. M.S. Erdahl, Port Commissioner, was the Master of Ceremonies. Mrs. Theodore Ultsch did the christening assisted by Miss Janet Bruder, as the flower girl. The featured speaker was Rear Admiral Smoot, commander of the mineforce of the US Pacific Fleet. The launching was held in conjunction with the commissioning of the USS Conquest, Hull #488. (TNT 7/21/1955, pg. D-10

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The M.S.A. #491, a 171 foot minesweeper, was scheduled to be launched from the Bayview Shipyard, at the north end of East F St., on April 24, 1955 by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Co. It is the eighth of nine contracted 171 foot minesweepers to be launched. It will be named the U.S.S. Persistent. The keel was laid for the ship in June of 1954. (TNT 4/127/1955, pg. B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Dorothy (Mrs. M. Stanley) Erdahl serves as sponsor for the launching of the U.S.S. Persistent (A.M. #491) minesweeper, constructed by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. M. Stanley Erdahl was the current Port Commissioner and an ex-Navy officer who took the first YMS type minesweeper out of the Martinac yard in WWII. She would be assisted at the launching of the 171 ft. minesweeper by Sharon McCoy, daughter of Ed McCoy- Sumner High School's Director of Athletics, who would serve as flower girl. (TNT 4/17/1955, pg. B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Erdahl, Dorothy;

The platform is set up for the ceremonies attending the launch of the M.S.A. #491 (U.S.S. Persistent) at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. The ship poised on the ways rises above the bunting draped speakers' platform. Capt. Vernon B. Cole will be the principal speaker at the launch. Mrs. Dorothy Erdahl will be the sponsor and Sharon McCoy will be the flower girl. The Persistent is the eighth of nine 171 foot minesweepers to be launched by Martinac. Four of the ships have already been delivered. The keel of the Persistent was laid in June of 1954. (TNT 4/17/1955, pg. B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching of the AM 504 with Foss tugboat. The AM 504 was the second of three 171 ft. minesweepers to be launched by Tacoma Boat Building. The ship was expected to be ready for delivery to the Tacoma Naval Station for outfitting in November of 1955. Mrs. Charles S. Weeks, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station, would be sponsor and her seven year old daughter June would be the flower girl. Cmdr. L.L. MacKinley, the Navy's resident supervisor of shipbuilding, would be the guest speaker. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. B-6) TPL-9246

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

Launching of the AM 504, the second of three 171 foot minesweepers to be launched at Tacoma Boat Building. The keel was laid on the AM 504 October 25, 1953 and expected delivery to the Tacoma Naval Station for outfitting was November of 1955. On completion, the ship would be turned over to a foreign nation. Mrs. Charles S. Weeks, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station, would be the sponsor and her seven year old daughter June would be the flower girl. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. B-6)

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

A crowd of spectators await the launching of the minesweeper #489, the U.S.S. Gallant, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding on the evening of June 4, 1954. Martinac Shipbuilding had received a contract to built nine 171-foot minesweepers for the Navy during the early 1950's. Those observing the launching heard Rear Adm. W.F. James, 13th Naval District medical officer, give the principal address. Mrs. Walter Meserole, daughter of J.M. Martinac, was the ship's sponsor. Music for the ceremony was provided by the McChord Air Force Band. (TNT 5-30-54, C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching of the minesweeper #489 by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Co.on June 4, 1954. The Martinac company had received a contract to construct nine 171-foot minesweepers for the Navy. The U.S.S. Gallant was the sixth of its type to be launched by Martinac. Its keel was laid in September, 1953; all work will be completed in about a year. Rear Adm. W.F. James, 13th Naval District medical officer, was the principal speaker at the ceremony. The sponsor was Mrs. Walter Meserole, daughter of J.M. Martinac. (TNT 5-30-54, C-12) TPL-8032

Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Three Army Q-boats were launched within minutes of each other on April 20, 1954. These 63' crafts were built by Tacoma Boat Building for the Army under Navy supervision. View of several women and small children in front of Q-630; these were members of the christening party. From left to right are: Barbara Rutledge (flower girl), Mrs. Vincent J. Genn, sponsor of Q-630, Shanna Roley (flower girl), Mrs. Wilbert N. Nelson, sponsor of Q-628, Mrs. Alf R. Dahl, sponsor of Q-629, and Linda Dahl (flower girl). (TNT 4-21-54, A-5)

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

Q-630 was one of three Q-boats launched on April 20, 1954. The 63 foot Q-boats were built for the Army under Navy supervision. The ships were expected to be delivered at Rio Vista, California, in May or June, 1954. The sponsor of Q-630 was Mrs. Vincent J. Genn, wife of the machinery superintendent at Tacoma Boat Building. LTC John Fredin was the principal speaker at the launching. View of participants posed in front of vessel; several women are holding large bouquets of roses. (TNT 4-18-54, B-10)

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

The ship's crew and officials were all on deck for the commissioning ceremony for the USS Endurance, # 435, on March 20, 1954. Broadcast over radio station KTNT, Rear Admiral A. M. Bledsoe was the principal speaker. Built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., the Endurance was the first AM-type minesweeper to pass her acceptance trials on her first try. This was the first formal commissioning of a Navy vessel in Tacoma at the Tacoma Naval Station since World War II. Command of the vessel was turned over to Lt. L. E. Martin. The Endurance joined the Pacific Fleet in California following its shakedown cruise. The 171-foot Endurance was the first of nine minesweepers of this class built by Martinac in Tacoma. (TNT 3-14-54, B-4, TNT 3-19-54, p. 1)

Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Commercial fishing boats lined up along the pier in Tacoma's new Fishing Boat Haven in January of 1954. In 1953, the Port of Tacoma spent $225,000 to build the boat haven on one of the branches of the Blair Waterway. The manager of the port at that time reported that 52 boats of various sizes were using the haven, and the big net shed next to the pier was 70% full. (TNT 1/17/1954, pg. B-2)

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

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);

Launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #97 by Tacoma Boatbuilding. A.M.S. #97 would be the last minesweeper to slide into the water as the company fulfilled its contract of five. All five vessels were in various states of completion with the first completed one to be delivered to the Navy in the fall. Mrs. Henry F. Agnew was the sponsor of #97 and Capt. J.R. Topper was the speaker. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #97 in 1953. The last Naval minesweeper would be sliding off the ways at Tacoma Boatbuilding as the fifth one was launched. Mrs. Henry F. Agnew, wife of the Commandant of the Tacoma Naval Station, was sponsor (holding bouquet of roses), Nicola Tollefson, daughter of the Mayor Harold Tollefson, was flower girl and Capt. J.R. Topper was the speaker. Arne Strom, in suit, owner of the company, was the master of ceremonies. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Strom, Arne; Agnew, Henry F.--Family;

Launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #97 by Tacoma Boatbuilding. AMS #97 was the fifth and last minesweeper to be launched by the company. The four previous vessels were in various states of completion with the first to be delivered to the Navy in the fall. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

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

The launching of three 63 foot Army Transportation Corps wooden patrol boats, the Q625, Q626 and Q627, by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Delayed by strikes at the Tacoma boat yards, the boats were launched almost three months later than projected. The vessels built for the Army under Navy supervision were sponsored by Mrs. Honor Schwesinger, Ione Kvamme and Mrs. H.T. Burk. (TNT 9/24/1953, pg. B-4 & 9/27/1953, pg. C-12_

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

The launching of three 63 foot Army Transportation Corps wooden patrol boats built by Tacoma Boatbuilding. These were the first craft to be launched by a Tacoma boat builder since the strikes beginning in July of 1953 incapacitated the yards. These vessels were built for the Army under Navy supervision and were originally scheduled to go into the water in early July. The three vessels were numbered Q625, Q626 and Q627. (TNT 9/24/1953, pg. B-4 & 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)

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

The Tacoma Boat Building Company, 132 Sitcum Waterway, launched two 57-foot minesweepers within minutes of each other on May 15, 1953, Armed Forces Day. The MSB-16 was sponsored by Carmen P. Smith of Seattle and the MSB-17 was sponsored by Mrs. E.A. Watson of Tacoma. MSB grade minesweeping boats did not receive names, they were referred to by their hull number. The Tacoma Boat Building Company received major contracts with the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard for over 40 years, building minesweepers, gunboats, and cutters. (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);

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;

Three 18-foot plywood cruisers zip along Adams Marina in mid-May, 1953. Plywood was proving to be a very versatile product. It could be used not only in home construction, storage bins and linings for railroad cars but also in boats. Light and inexpensive exterior plywood with proven durability was used in boat building; the plywood was made waterproof and used waterproof glues. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Cour: The Plywood Age, p. 115-119)

Boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A woman perches jauntily aboard an 18-foot plywood cruiser streaming out of Adams Marina on May 12, 1953. Three other wood cruisers follow along while several others remain at the dock as the Steilacoom Ferry prepares to depart. Plywood had many uses other than in home and business construction. Because it was light, inexpensive, strong and durable, it was known as the "Jack-of-all trades" in the building industry. A plywood boat won the President's Cup on the Potomac River prior to WW II and Norman Nevills proved that a plywood boat could emerge victorious from a 600 mile journey through the raging Colorado River. Boating was a popular activity in the 1950's, as it is now, and with the advent of plywood boats, more people could enjoy the sport without incurring tremendous expense. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Cour: The Plywood Age, p. 115) TPL-8699

Boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Shadows darken the interior of Tacoma Boat Building as dim figures of spectators stand and gaze upon the A.M.S. #96 afloat in the distance. The 144-foot mindsweeper was the fourth of five being built by Tacoma Boat Building. The ship had just been launched the late afternoon of May 1, 1953. The launching was captured on television; it was the first launching to be televised in the area. (TNT 5-3-53, B-10)

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

A large group of spectators await the launching of the A.M.S. #96 on May 1, 1953. Television cameras capture the moment for posterity; it was the first launching televised in this area. Dignitaries on the platform, which would have included Mrs. Marvin H. Glunz, sponsor, and the attentive crowd listen to a naval speaker. This may have been Capt. Christian H. Duborg, who was listed as principal speaker of the event. The A.M.S. #96 was a 144-foot mindsweeper built by Tacoma Boat Building for the Navy. It was the fourth of five being constructed by the firm who had been awarded a Navy contract. (TNT 5-3-53, B-10)

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

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);