The 181-foot tuna seiner, "Jilor," was successfully launched on February 8, 1975, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. She was the first of three steel hulled fishing boats destined for Senegal. The launching attracted several dignitaries including the ambassador to the United States from Senegal, Andre Coulbary and wife Saffia, and Congressman Floyd Hicks. The "Jilor" had a 22-man crew and could hold 800 tons of frozen fish. Photograph ordered by the United States Information Agency, Washington D.C. TPL-9885

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

Wearing traditional Senegalese clothing were Andre Coulbary and his wife Saffia as they pose in front of the newly launched fishing vessel, "Jilor," on February 8, 1975. Mr. Coulbary was the ambassador to the United States from Senegal who flew in from Washington D.C. for launching ceremonies at Tacoma Boatbuilding. The 181-foot fishing vessel was the first of three tuna seiners destined for Senegal at a total price tag of $12 million dollars. The steel hulled seiner was believed to be the first major American built fishing boat to be delivered new to a country outside the Americas. Named after a small fishing village southwest of Dakar, she could carry a crew of 22 and had a 14-tank, 800-ton frozen fish capacity. Traveling at a top speed of 15 knots, the "Jilor" would set sail for Senegal in the spring. A crowd of about 500 people braved the slight snow/sleet to watch the launching. The two men flanking the ambassador and his wife were not identified. (TNT 2-6-75, A-3 -article; TNT 2-9-75, D-6 -article) TPL-9475

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coulbary, Andre; Coulbary, Saffia; Ambassadors--Senegal;

Launching. The tuna clipper, "Aquarius," was launched in official ceremonies on Saturday, December 5, 1970, at Martinac Shipbuilding facilities. The above photograph, with decorative bunting, was taken before she slipped down the ways into the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. The 184-foot tuna seiner was owned by brothers Joseph and Richard Madruga of San Diego. They operated a tuna fleet for Van Camp Sea Foods. The ship was powered by a 3600 hp diesel engine and had a frozen fish capacity of 850 tons. She had a 35-foot beam. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 12-7-70, p. 36 - article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

ca. 1971. Internal view of the "A.K. Strom." This is the engine room of the 225-foot steel tuna seiner, the "A.K. Strom," which had been launched on March 20, 1971. According to "Marine Digest," the main propulsion is a GE model 7 FDM16, 16 cylinder, 4-cycle non-reversing supercharged diesel. The "A.K. Strom" is the fastest vessel of her size in the U.S. fishing fleet as she has a loaded speed of over 15 knots. Photograph ordered by General Electric, Erie, PA. (Marine Digest, June 5, 1971) TPL-9537

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

Launching. The "Denise Marie," giant 225-foot steel tuna seiner, slipped gracefully down the ways into Hylebos Waterway on Saturday evening, June 5, 1971. She was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding and had a frozen tuna capacity of about 1,400 tons. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 6-6-71, A-12 - article) TPL-9533

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

Launching. The 225-foot steel tuna seiner, "Eileen M," slipped down the ways at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities on the Hylebos on the evening of August 21, 1971. She was the third of the "Strom" class of giant tuna boats to be launched. Mrs. Fred McDonell, wife of the ship's captain, performed the sponsor's duties of christening the ship. The "Eileen M" had a frozen fish capacity of 1,425 tons in 22 wells and contained deluxe quarters for a crew of 16 in her aluminum deckhouse. Final delivery to her owners was expected to be in early October of 1971 after conclusion of sea trials. The "Eileen M" would be used for fishing in Puerto Rican waters. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (Marine Digest, September 4, 1971, p. 32, TNT 8-23-71, p. 29 -article) TPL-9535

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

Launching. Mrs. Joseph Silveira of San Diego, sister-in-law of the captain, was the sponsor of the new tuna seiner, the "Denise Marie," which was successfully launched on June 5, 1971. Built by Tacoma Boatbuilding and powered by a General Electric locomotive type diesel, the big 225-foot fishing boat would have a frozen fish capacity of nearly 1,400 tons. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (Marine Digest, June 5, 1971, p. 34) TPL-9534

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

Keel laying ceremonies. On June 19, 1971, the keel was laid at Martinolich Shipbuilding for a 100-foot X 25-foot sampan. The sampan is being built for Jack Shinsato and Angel Fishing Co., Ltd. A representative of the Shinsato family is pictured above applying a ceremonial welding to the keel. The man standing on the step above him has not been positively identified but may be a member of the Martinolich family. According to the sign on display before the keel, the sampan was scheduled for launching on November 25, 1971 and completed on December 10th. The fishing boat was actually launched a month ahead of time, on October 18, 1971, at Martinolich's Blair Waterway plant. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp.

Sampans--Tacoma; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

ca. 1972. 1972 Richards stock footage. View from Northeast Tacoma of ships in harbor. The ships appear dark and indistinct amidst the seemingly colorless water. This photograph was taken from a hillside possibly in early 1972.

Ships--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1972 Richards stock footage. "Dilkara" docked at Port of Tacoma adjacent to "Big Red," West German-built container crane, in late February of 1972. This is possibly the New Zealand container ship that was built in 1971. The name "Dilkara" is reportedly Australian aborigine, meaning "rainbow."

Ships--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hoisting machinery;

ca. 1972. 1972 Richards stock footage. View from the Cliff House restaurant of the harbor operations below. Several ships are seen heading towards one of Tacoma's waterways; masses of log dumps provide natural obstacles.

Ships--Tacoma--1970-1980; Logs;

Old London Dock destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936. City fireboat and Foss tugs dousing flames at waterfront Waterside Milling Co. warehouse. Thick plumes of smoke drift into the Bay as the Tacoma Fire Department tries to staunch the enormous blaze. Wood dust exploded in the Waterside wheat warehouse causing the building and dock to be gutted; damages were set at $260,000. Thousands of residents lined the 11th St. Bridge and surrounding hillsides to watch the spectacular sight. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The Old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Co. on Tacoma's waterfront were destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936. The City fireboat and four Foss tugs are shown fighting the enormous blaze which had earlier threatened the Municipal Dock, Western States grocery and Younglove grocery warehouse. The 2000 foot Waterside Milling Co. warehouse was divided into long sections separated by brick fire walls. The fire walls on the south end of the London Dock helped to stop the blaze from spreading in that direction. There were no reported fatalities among the sixteen workers on the dock at the time of the fire, although one man suffered burns. Total damages, according to the Tacoma Daily Ledger, were set at $260,000. The ruins of the Tacoma Hotel and the city skyline loom in the background. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Power cruisers compete in the 8th annual power boat race, the"Capital to Capital yacht race," in July 1935. The 1935 race covered 150 nautical miles from Tacoma to Nanaimo, BC through the San Juan and British Columbia Islands. The boats would leave on Friday, 7/26, and reach BC late on 7/27. The Tacoma Yacht Club sponsored 24 entries, one of which the "Irvinetta," won second place overall. (T. Times 7/25-27, 1935; 7/29/1935, pg. 1)

Regattas--1935; Yacht racing--1935;

Captain I.C. Rowland (right), skipper of the Tacoma Yacht Club entry "Irvinetta" in the annual international cruiser race, the "Capital to Capital," and Matt Manay, of Olympia, prepare a code flag in connection with the start of the race. The 8th annual cruiser race would start Friday, July 26, 1935 in Tacoma and end Saturday afternoon in Nanaimo, B.C., a distance of 150 nautical miles through the Puget Sound and San Juan and British Columbia Islands. Rowland and the Irvinetta finished 2nd overall by a fraction of percentage and first in their division, craft over 38 feet in length. (T. Times 7/25-27, 1935 and 7/29/1935, pg. 1)

Regattas--1935; Yacht racing--1935; Rowland, I.C.; Manay, Matt;

Undated photograph of the "Firecracker," a fishing boat, as requested by Martinolich Shipbuilding. The vessel is passing quietly through the waters of Commencement Bay; a glimpse of one of Kaiser's aluminum domes is visible on the far right of the photograph.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Four large mothballed military vessels berthed in Bremerton were photographed for the Bremerton Sun in August of 1935. Locals referred to this area to the west of the Navy yard as the "Boneyard," the home to unused and sometimes outdated vessels. The vessel with the white bow, second from left, was the Patoka, one of the few vessels ever fitted with a dirigible mooring mast on the deck. The wide, tower-like mast can be seen on the left side of the photograph. Built in 1919, the vessel was stored due to the declining size of the peacetime Navy. Also mothballed at the Navy yard were the Aroostook, the USS Pyro (one of only 2 ammunition ships constructed by the US government,) and the oil burning Prometheus and Jason. (Bremerton Sun 8/15/1935, pg. 1)

Boat graveyards--Bremerton; Government vessels--Bremerton; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

The rowing crew from the U.S.S San Francisco holds their oars aloft to signify victory in th 1936 Whaleboat races, a Fleet Week event. The crew was faster than the other 8 teams representing each of the eight other cruisers in Tacoma for fleet week. (T. Times 7/31/1936, pg. 1 & 3)

Boat racing; Rowboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowing races--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowers;

Ferry boats. The "Defiance." Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

The ferries "Vashonia," "Fox Island," and "The City of Steilacoom" are moored side-by-side in January of 1940. The increasing number of cars and need for fast service for commuters led to the building of many ferries in the 1920's. They were swift and comfortable and due to the lack of major bridges, a more convenient way to travel for those living on the Olympic peninsula than driving for miles on often bad roads. These three ferries had been built by the Skansie (Brothers) Shipbuilding Co. in Gig Harbor for their Washington Navigation Company. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

Ferry Boats. "Vashonia" at ferry landing. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Vessels; Ferries;

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.;

Washington Navigation Company ferries. Two women work as galley crew preparing coffee and pancakes for travelers. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company.

Ferries--Tacoma; Galleys (Ship kitchens); Cooks; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

In November of 1934, part of the fishing fleet was pictured moored at the Port Commission Docks. Tacoma at this time was home to about 45 fishing vessels. Among the fleet were the "Sima", the "Argo", and the "Sapho". A motorboat, the "Hazel" was tied to the Port walkway. The November 20th Tacoma Times published an editorial advocating that Tacoma build a larger Marina for the fleet, one that could dock upwards to 300 boats. The area suggested was along the south strip of the Port of Tacoma, near the Port Piers. (T. Times 11/20/1934, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Fishing fleet moored at the Port Commission Docks. Close view of row of fishing boats detailing their cabins, masts and riggings. (WSHS)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Two men working on the hull of sailboat moored on the beach. Concrete bulkhead, roadway, and hillside in background. Automobiles parked along the road include a truck from Covach Bros. grocery.

Boats--Tacoma; Beaches--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Lazy afternoon. Three people sit on the edge of a dock watching a small motor boat pass by with three people and two black dogs aboard.

Boats--Tacoma; Piers & wharves--Tacoma;

Scenic Puget Sound, moonlight, and small boat on water. A full moon breaks through a massive layer of dark clouds to cast its shadow over a forested island and across the water. Stock negative.

Bodies of Water - Puget SoundMoonlight

Fireboat on Puget Sound. Four men ride on the railing of the fireboat.

Vessels - Boats - Fireboats - Tacoma

ca. 1936. Tacoma Fire Company, Fireboat No. 1 and crew on Commencement Bay.

Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;