Libby No. 9, 10 and 11 are tied up, side-by-side, at Birchfield Boiler. Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle liked these seiners because they had better capacity and lower maintenance costs than other fishing boats. One of the outstanding features of a Birchfield-built boat was the fact that the inside of the cargo hold was completely smooth. The cork insulation was covered over and there was no place for the fish to bruise or for fish oils to accumulate. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A view of the helm on "Libby No. 10" at Birchfield Boiler. The chain linking the helm with the rudder is clearly visible. Birchfield Boiler, Inc., delivered three new Libby boats to Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle. As of July 1951 the company built five of the steel seiners for Libby. The fishing boats were well equipped with Onan generators from the Fremont Electric Company, Seattle. They also had automatic controls and switchboards from Fremont. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960; Helms;

The nighttime launching of "Memories" built by Peterson Boat Building Company. "Memories" is in the water, accompanied by another fishing vessel "Nancy Rose," on April 21, 1950. "Memories," a 57-foot purse seiner, could handle a crew of nine. She was to set sail May 25, 1950, on her first fishing voyage. (TNT, 4/25/1950)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The launching of "Memories" at Peterson Boat Building Company. The 57-foot purse seiner slips from the ways into the water. She was built for Captain Marco Malich to fish in Puget Sound, the Alaskan waters and in the south. (TNT, 4/25/1950, p.15)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of the "Bev Marie". The 113 foot tuna clipper was built for Captain Paul Lynn. She could carry a crew of 14 and a small seaplane, the first ship to be built in Tacoma with plans for a plane. She had a refrigerated capacity to carry 230 tons of fish. (TNT, 4/22/1950, p.7) TPL-9029

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

The Tacoma Yacht Club, located at Point Defiance, was included in the tourist sightseeing tour the "Kla-How-Ya" trail. Founded in 1889, the Club relocated to Point Defiance in 1914, near what is now the ferry dock. In an effort to find a mooring spot less vulnerable to winter storms, the Club relocated southeast under the high bank near the Tacoma Smelter. The former office building of Seaborn Shipyard was moved to the site by scow to serve as the clubhouse. In 1934, a road was built along the bulkhead under the ferry landing. The Yacht Club originated the Daffodil Marine Parade and the decorated-boat Christmas parade.

Boathouses; Boats;

The Tacoma Yacht Club, 5401 No. Waterfront Drive, was featured as part of the "Kla-How-Ya" trail dedicated in the Spring of 1950. The trail, who's name came from the Chinook Indian word for "welcome, " was a 26 mile sightseeing tour around the Tacoma area, marked with green salmon directional signs. The Yacht Club was founded in 1889 and moved to its present location near the Point Defiance ferry dock in 1914.

Boathouses; Boats; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Mooring;

Detailed picture of main engine of John N. Cobb, U.S. Fish and Wildlife exploratory vessel, at the Western Boat Building. She was designed by W.C. Nickum & Sons, Seattle naval architects, and built by Western Boat Co., Tacoma. She was of heavy wood construction, 93' in length, and powered with a 550-hp. Fairbanks-Morse diesel. She was equipped for exploratory navigation, as well as experimental fishing. Her primary duty was the testing and exploring of latent fisheries in Alaska waters, with special attention to Albacore Tuna.

Boat engines; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960

Launching at Western Boat. Ordered by Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. The John N. Cobb is afloat near the 11th Street Bridge just after launching from the Western Boat ways building. The vessel would be equiped for exploratory navigation as well as for experimental fishing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.. Snow is on the ground as seen on the opposite shore of City Waterway. The tall buildings of the business district of Tacoma are seen in the background. (Pacific Fisherman, March 1950, p.29) TPL-9652

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cityscapes;

Launching at Western Boat. Ordered by Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. The John N. Cobb stands in the ways ready to be formally launched. Flags are draped over the first and second decks. The boat was to becoma an exploratory vessel for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She was designed by W.C. Nickum & Sons, Seattle naval architects, and built by Western Boat. She was of very heavy wood construction, 93' in length, and powered with a 550 hp Fairbanks-Morse diesel engine. (Pacific Fisherman, March 1950, p.29)

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

Launching of the John N. Cobb at Western Boat. L-R, Mrs. Emmett Egan and Mrs. Margaret E. Johnson, wife of Captain Sheldon W. Johnson, stand ready to christen the John N. Cobb, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service exploratory vessel. She was named after John N. Cobb, the first Dean of the School of Fisheries of the University of Washington, who had also served with the United States Bureau of Fisheries. Ordered for the Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. (Marine Digest, 2/4/1950)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Egan, Emmett--Family; Johnson, Margaret E.;

Dignitaries pose during the launching of the Hortensia-Bertin at Tacoma Boat Building. She would contain the most modern of navigational and communication equipment with radiophone and code instruments, Northern Radio sending set and National receiver. She would also be equiped with a 181 h.p. Chrysler-powered Western "Fairliner' bait-tender which was also equipped with a radiotelephone. The two gentlemen on the left are Haldor Dahl and Arne Strom, owners of Tacoma Boat. Mrs. Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, California, is third from the right holding long-stemmed roses. She was the wife of the boat's architect and sponsor of at the launching. Ordered by C.F.A. Mann. (TNT, 1/5/1950, p.21; Pacific Fisherman, April 1950, p.26; Pacific Fisherman October 1950, p.12) TPL-9025

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Dahl, Haldor; Strom, Arne;

The Hortensia-Bertin sits in the ways building at Tacoma Boat Building ready for launching into Commencement Bay. The large tuna clipper was designed by Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, and measured 103' x 24'10". O.E. Bertin would be her captain. She would have outstanding communication capabilities with radiophone and code instruments, a Northern Radio sending set and a National receiver. She was capable of carrying a crew of 20 and 185 tons of fish at 10 knots. Her home port was to be Tegucigalpa, Honduras. (TNT, 1/5/1950, p.21; Pacific Fisherman, April 1950, p.26; Pacific Fisherman, October 1950, p.12) TPL-9024

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

Tacoma Boat Building Company was the exclusive designer and manufacturer of the "Northern Dragger" winches, "North" purse seine winches, "Northern" anchor winches and "Northern purse seine and dandelion blocks. The company built wood and steel trollers, purse seiners and tuna clippers, and had built many government vessels during World War II. View of the boat's helm, compass and engine controls. TPL-9021

Boats--Tacoma; Helms; Control rooms--Tacoma; Compasses; Navigation; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior view of boat, built by Tacoma Boat, showing the engine room. Included in the view are the diesel auxiliary engines, fresh water still, ammonia compressors with control panel and distribution headers, synchronizing switchboard, power panel and motor starters topped off with a 600 h.p. heavy duty diesel propulsion engine. Tacoma Boat announced their 16-year record in February 1948 as: 104 new commercial vessels of wood and steel; and, 1,073 commercial vessels rebuilt, modernized, converted or repaired. TPL-9023

Boat engines; Control rooms--Tacoma; Engine rooms--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Boat Building had just completed the Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa for Captain O. E. Bertin and Cargueros Panamenos. The tuna clipper measured 104 feet and 8 inches by 26 feet and 6 inches by 14 feet. View of Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa, a diesel tuna clipper out on Tacoma's Commencement Bay (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1950). TPL-9017

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

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 their first contract to build government boats and moved into a larger, newly expanded plant at the head of the City Waterway. View of Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa, a diesel tuna clipper (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1950). TPL-9016

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

Tacoma Boat Building had just completed the Yolande-Bertin, she was being launched and was out on a trial run through Commencement Bay. Tacoma Boat Building specialized in wooden and steel government, commercial, fishing and pleasure boats; the company was owned by Haldor Dahl and Arne Strom. View of Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa, a diesel tuna clipper out on Tacoma's Commencement Bay (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1950). TPL-9019

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

Tacoma Boat Building recently completed diesel tuna clipper, the Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa was designed by Arthur De Fever of San Pedro, California. The Yolande-Bertin was considered a wonderful addition to the impressive Pacific Tuna Clipper Fleet. View of Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa, a diesel tuna clipper out on Tacoma's Commencement Bay (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1950). TPL-9018

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

57 foot purse seiner, interior and water shots, Birchfield Boiler, Bob Dorrer. The Esther B. is dwarfed by one of the baby flat-top aircraft carriers mothballed in the Tacoma harbor during her sea trials.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

57-foot purse seiner, interior and water shots, Birchfield Boiler, Bob Dorrer. The "Esther B." is out for her sea trials on June 14, 1949. The captain is at the helm on the upper deck.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

57-foot purse seiner, interior and water shots, Birchfield Boiler, Bob Dorrer. The galley of the "Esther B." is seen on the left and the helm is straight ahead. The cabinets and the walls are gleaming white. A plaque to the right of the hall towards the helm shows the name of the "Esther B." and that she was built by Birchfield Boiler. This photograph was taken on June 14, 1949.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Galleys (Ship kitchens);

Birchfield Boiler, 57' x 16' 4" seiner. Possibly the Esther B. This purse seiner is seen from the starboard side.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Boat Building Corporation had just launched the "Pacific Queen" into Tacoma's City Waterway (now Thea Foss Waterway) in May of 1949. She was bought by eight Puget Sound fishermen who intended to be salmon fishing by June of that year. The "Pacific Queen" sailed to Seattle and continued on to Bristol Bay (T.N.T., 5/15/49, p. B-3). TPL-8630

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

Puget Sound Boat Building Corporation has just completed rebuilding the "Pacific Queen, " formerly an Army tug, in May of 1949. This 183-ft. long fishing boat was bought by eight Puget Sound fishermen. The fishermen and Puget Sound Boat spent one year planning, followed by six months of rebuilding the vessel (T.N.T., 5/15/49, p. B-3). TPL-8629

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

Manson-Osberg Company was located at 1602 Canal Street in industrial Tacoma. The company is listed as a general contracting business; in May of 1949 they were working in one of Tacoma's waterways near the tideflats area. Interior view of "Husky," a dredging machine owned and operated by Manson-Osberg Company. Photo ordered by Mr. Morris of Manson-Osberg Company.

Equipment--1940-1950; Barges--Tacoma; Underwater drilling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dredging--Tacoma; Dredges--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; City Waterway (Tacoma); Manson-Osberg Co. (Tacoma);

Skansie's Shipbuilding Company had just built their first fishing boat in April of 1949. Skansie's had built other types of vessels in the past, including a ferry boat. View of Skansie fishing boat launching party; John Cosulich (right) and Mrs. John Cosulich (third from left) are the launching sponsors; other four people are not identified (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). According to a patron the individuals in the photo are John Cosulich on the far right, Dolores (Mrs. Tony Cosulich) third from left (not Mrs. John Cosulich), and Tony Cosulich, Dolores' husband, on the far left.

Fishing boats--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor; Launchings--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Skansie's Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Cosulich, John--Family;

Skansie's Shipbuilding Company built their first fishing boat, this boat will join the Puget Sound fishing fleet. Skansie's was located at 3209 Harborview Drive in Gig Harbor; the shipyard was operated by the Skansie brothers, Mitchell Jr. and William. View of unnamed 59 foot fishing boat, built by the Skansie shipyards, after having been launched (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). TPL-8306

Fishing boats--Gig harbor--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor; Launchings--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Skansie's Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Cosulich, John--Family;

William Skansie (far left) and the crew of the Skansie's Shipbuilding Company stand in front of a 59-foot fishing boat that was completed in April of 1949. The yet un-named seiner was the first fishing boat to be built at the Skansie shipyard in Gig Harbor since 1930. John Cosulich (sixth from the left) had been foreman at the Skansie plant for 37 years. This Skansie fishing boat was designed by J. A. Martinolich of San Francisco, California. Skansie's Shipbuilding Company was owned and operated by William Skansie and Mitchell Skansie Jr. (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). TPL-8339

Fishing boats--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor; Launchings--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Skansie's Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Cosulich, John--Family; Skansie, William;

Skansie's Shipbuilding Company had just completed and was launching their first fishing boat in April of 1949. John Cosulich and his wife were the fishing boat's sponsors; John Cosulich has been Skansie shipyards foreman for 37 years. View of fishing boat sponsor, Mrs. John Cosulich (right) and unidentified man, at the Skansie shipyards for the boat launching (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). A patron stated that the woman in the photograph is not Mrs. John Cosulich (her name was Marina). It is the daughter-in-law of John and Marina Cosulich. Her name is Dolores Cosulich, née Seghieri. The unidentified man is Tony Cosulich, her husband.

Fishing boats--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor; Launchings--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Skansie's Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Cosulich, John--Family;