Diving for the wrecked ship, "Rubaiyat." Diver Walter McCray prepares to resume the raising of the "Rubaiyat." After several unsuccessful attempts, raising of the sunken freighter "Rubaiyat" was once more underway in March of 1924. The ship had sunk the previous September when she capsized on an outbound journey from Commencement Bay. Diver Walter McCray and Foss Launch & Tug had tried before to haul the ship from the deep bay waters but she had become tangled with the sunken piling from the old 11th St. Bridge. Efforts to raise the ship were futile as cables slipped from the hull and the ship sank back into 378 feet of water. Attempts to raise the "Rubaiyat" halted at the end of November, 1923, until the following March. Drawing the attention of many interested Tacomans, the recovery process finally culminated in the raising of the "Rubaiyat," beaching her, and later successfully floating her to the Western Boat plant on the Wapato Waterway on March 25, 1924. Diver McCray and Fred Berg of Foss Launch & Tug had received title to the wreckage and were prepared to sell her "as is." They were instrumental in completing the deepest salvaging operation to date carried out on the Pacific Coast with the lifting of the "Rubaiyat" from depths of nearly 380 feet with 140 tons of freight aboard. (TDL 10-29-23, p. 1-article; TDL 11-1-23, p. 1-article; TDL 11-6-23, p. 1-article; TDL 12-1-23, p. 1-article; TNT 3-18-24, p. 16-article; TNT 3-21-24, p. 21-article; TNT 3-24-24, p. 9-article; TDL 3-24-24, p. 1-article; TNT 3-25-24, p 16-article; TDL 3-25-24, p. 10-article) G49.1-018

Diving suits--1920-1930; Ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; McCray, Walter;

Raising of the "Rubaiyat." Part of the steamer "Rubaiyat" is visible on March 22, 1924, as she is slowly being raised from the deep waters of Commencement Bay. She had sunk after capsizing on September 29, 1923, on her way to Seattle. Initial attempts to haul her to the surface had failed. 8-10 feet of the stern became visible on Friday morning, March 21st. Hoses from a Foss Tug & Launch fireboat were used days earlier to undermine mud from beneath the hull so that heavy cables could be passed around to form a secure hold. Diver Walter McCray had removed most of the 20 tons of plaster from the "Rubaiyat" on March 17th. Plans were made to haul the ship to the beach on March 22nd and salvaged. The ship would then be floated to the Western Boat Building plant on the Wapato Waterway on March 25, 1924. None of the four bodies that went down with the ship in September were located and it was thought that they had been swept away by the tide after the sinking. G49.1-015 (TNT 3-18-24, p. 16-article; TNT 3-21-24, p. 21-article; TNT 3-24-24, p. 9-article; TDL 3-24-24, p. 1-article)

Hoisting machinery; Ships--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Piles of logs waiting to be removed via railroad flatcars from a West Fork Logging Co. site in March of 1924. G75.1-088

Logs; West Fork Logging Co.;

Logging operations in the woods, in the Seabeck, Washington, area. West Fork Logging Co. apparatus on railroad tracks photographed on March 23, 1924. L.T. Murray was the president of the firm. Mr. Murray would move his logging operation to Lewis County in 1927. G75.1-089 (Additional information provided by a reader)

West Fork Logging Co.; Lumber industry--1920-1930;

On March 23, 1924, West Fork Logging Co. employees posed near the company's steam donkey on a sled. The donkeys were a replacement for the horse and oxen power formerly used to pull logs from the woods. This photograph was probably taken in logging areas near Seabeck where the company was then based. Logging operation would move to Lewis County three years later. G75.1-033 (for an earlier view of a steam donkey, see B2726) (Additional information provided by a reader)

West Fork Logging Co.; Lumber industry--1920-1930; Steam donkeys; Donkey engines;

Acme Transfer & Storage Co. advertised in the 1924 City Directory that "We Move Anything Any Time Any Place." Pianos and furniture deliveries were their specialty. Items were stored in a steam heated warehouse to prevent rust and mold. The company was located at 901 Tacoma Avenue South. This view of one of their delivery trucks was taken on March 23, 1924, in front of the Lucerne Building. G66.2-112

Acme Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

An unidentified woman is pictured on March 23, 1924, hopping from one Rickenbacker coupe to another. The coupes came with 4-wheel brakes, a relatively new idea. Photograph ordered by Sound Motor Co. G32.1-065

Rickenbacker automobile;

Logging operations at West Fork Logging Co. site #1. Logs are being "loaded," per photographer Marvin Boland's notes. This was probably located in the Seabeck, Washington, area, in March of 1924. (Additional information provided by a reader)

West Fork Logging Co.; Lumber industry--1920-1930;

Boxcars at West Fork Logging Co. site. These boxcars, some with wooden steps, may have been used as offices or living quarters by West Fork Logging Co. personnel in March of 1924. G75.1-083

Railroad freight cars; West Fork Logging Co.;

Damage caused by the overflowing Puyallup River occurred in Tacoma's industrial Tideflats area in March of 1924. This is the section of the Tideflats between 11th St. and Lincoln Avenue. G77.1-126

Floods--Tacoma;

At least three ships are berthed and ready to take on cargo at Terminal Dock on March 24, 1924. In the foreground is the "Eldorado;" other ships are unidentified. The "Eldorado, " of the McCormick Line, arrived from California on March 23rd. She would set sail carrying general freight the evening of March 24th. Tacoma Tug & Barge Co. building on the left. Tacoma Tug & Barge was engaged in general towing and had a fleet of seven tugs. G49.1-194,

Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Tug & Barge Co. (Tacoma);

View of the industrial Tideflats in March of 1924. Boland notes indicate that this was taken between 11th St. and Lincoln Avenue. Sign on the railing states "Danger Road Closed." Puyallup River had flooded in this vicinity. G77.1-125

Plank roads; Signs (Notices); Floods--Tacoma;

Glory Ragland (second from left), a public health service nurse, and Percy Brush, look on as a dentist who preferred to remain anonymous provided free dental work to a young patient at the new free dental clinic in the City Hall Annex, 621 Pacific Ave. Opened January 21, 1924 and organized by the Kiwanis Club with the cooperation of county, professional and fraternal organizations, the clinic provided free dental services Monday and Tuesday from 9 am to 12 noon, with a local dentist on duty to volunteer his services. A room in the annex had been completely furnished and painted white. The Kiwanis and Elks provided the equipment. Percy Brush was president of the Kiwanis and chairman of the committee responsible for the clinic when it was founded. (TDL 3/26/1924, pg. 3) TPL-659; G27.1-118

Ragland, Glory; Brush, Percy; Dentistry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dental equipment & supplies--1920-1930; Dental hygiene--Tacoma; Health care facilities--Tacoma;

House on South Ainsworth Avenue. This home was probably located in the Central Park addition of Tacoma and may have been built by the M.W.F. Wallace Co. It appears to be a simple, bungalow-style home with fireplace and located on a corner lot. There is a small building in the rear, either a one-car garage or storage unit. G29.1-055

Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Lincoln High School Orchestra. Lincoln High School in 1924 had two orchestras, with 62 in the senior group and 55 in the junior. They were led by Mr. Nason (standing at left in first row). The orchestra played at all assemblies, concert-dramas movie nights and for several civic organizations. This photograph, taken on the Lincoln campus, was used in the 1924 school yearbook, the Lincolnian. G47.1-012 (1924 Lincolnian, p. 112-113)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Orchestras--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Lampposts on South "J" St. This is a view of South "J" St. , south of South 21st St., looking north, as seen on March 28, 1924. The quiet street has lampposts evenly spaced on both sides. Three cars are parked along the curbside and a few pedestrians can be spotted on the sidewalk in the distance. G60.1-041

Residential streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lampposts--Tacoma;

On March 28, 1924, violin maker Thomas L. Hofto posed in his workshop at 917 1/2 Broadway with one of his works in progress. Mr. Hofto was a master of the old art of handcrafting violins. He had studied with a Polish maker of instruments named Trognitz, formerly of Los Angeles. He was photographed measuring the thickness of the wood on an unfinished violin sound board; he explained the importance of such details of construction to the quality and volume of tone that a violin yields. The wall behind Mr. Hofto is adorned with tools for his craft and completed violins. Mr. Hofto and his wife Bertha resided at 4521 No. Mullen. He lived in Tacoma for 40 years, creating scores of instruments; he died May 7, 1951 at the age of 65. (TNT 3/29/1924, pg. 5) G56.2-159

Hofto, Thomas L.; Violins; Stringed instruments; Handicraft;

Out-of-focus photograph of tilting lamppost at Center & South "J" Sts. taken on March 28, 1924. The lamppost appears to have been damaged at the base. Photograph ordered by F.R. Smith. (photograph has also been labeled "B9727")

Lampposts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A new Dodge delivery truck from Griffith Motor Co. has been purchased by the Tacoma Fish & Packing Co. in March of 1924. The Dodge was selected for its fine qualities of appearance, dependability and economy. Tacoma Fish & Packing was located at 1107 Dock St. and were wholesale dealers in fresh, smoked and frozen fish. The occupant in the vehicle was not identified. Photograph ordered by Griffith Motor Co., Dodge dealership. G34.1-056 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-13-24, G-7)

Dodge trucks; Tacoma Fish & Packing Co. (Tacoma);

Large billboard with elaborate carved posts featuring the Durant Star car as viewed on March 29, 1924. Calling it "A Creation of Beauty," the "New Star Car" was advertised as meeting car buyers' "every requirement." The Star car was only manufactured for a few short years between 1922-28 and was an affordable rival to the Model T. Photograph ordered by Heilig Advertising. TPL-472; G32.1-035

Billboards--Tacoma--1920-1930; Advertising--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Acme Transfer & Storage delivery truck as viewed on March 29, 1924. The moving company was located at 901 Tacoma Avenue South with telephone number Main 722. Its delivery trucks were decorated with advertising that stated plainly the types of jobs accepted and their competitive rates. Acme Transfer & Storage was operated by Fred Sheldon. Photograph ordered by Heilig Advertising. G66.2-111

Acme Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Hotel dishes. Three rows of hotel dishes on display in April of 1924 with each item labeled. These dishes were apparently used for hotel dining and included mustard pots, Rocaille jugs, Saxon bowls and Hall Boy jugs. Photograph ordered by Hunt & Mottet. G35.1-031

Tableware;

City of Tacoma Water Department tractor displayed in front of the C.W. Reid Motor Co., 702-04 Broadway, on April 3, 1924. Reid Motor was the authorized dealer for Ford, Lincoln and Fordson products. The tractor was a Fordson brand equipped with Full-Crawler track attachment which had recently been delivered to the City's Water Department. The tractor also had a pulley which could be used for driving a pump when necessary. The Fordson tractor would be utilized to haul pipes and dig ditches about three miles west of South Prairie. TPL-057; G43.1-125 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-27-24, 6-G)

Tractors--Tacoma--1920-1930; C.W. Reid Motor Co. (Tacoma);

On April 4, 1924, the Bell System Telephone company celebrated the 40th anniversary of telephone service in Tacoma by holding a luncheon for the surviving original subscribers to Tacoma's first telephone exchange. Five female employees, dressed in the manner of 1884, welcomed the guests. They are, left to right, Icle McDowell, Lucille Croxall, Eva Mollett, Mrs. Signe Hultgrew and Mrs. Mildred Sinclair. Their guests are, left to right, A.E. Dean, R.F. Radebaugh, I.W. Anderson, Major C.O.Bates, E.W. Melse, Judge John Arthur, Arthur Patrick, John Schlarb, W.P. Bonney, W.G. Rowland, Walter J. Ball, J.M. Ashton, W.J. Thompson, Henry Drum and Stuart Rice. The first telephone company office was located in Rebard's Cigar Store, and the owner acted as "central", dropping his work at the cigar counter to work the switchboard. The group is standing outside the Bell Telephone building at 1101 Fawcett Ave. Built in 1901 by J.E. Bonnell, it was added to the National and Tacoma historic registries in 1985. Boland B9815, BU-13,178

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Telephone companies--Tacoma;

A repair crew is rewinding generator no.2 at the Nisqually Power Station in April 1924. Planning for Tacoma's first hydroelectric project, the LaGrande Dam on the Nisqually River, began in 1907. The project was controversial - people wondered what the city could possibly do with all the power generated by the four 6,000 kilowatt units. Construction started in Feb. 1910 and the new plant began furnishing power to the citizens of Tacoma on Nov. 6, 1912.

Nisqually Power Station (Nisqually); Hydroelectric power--Tacoma; LaGrande Dam (Wash.); Hydroelectric generators--Washington;

In April of 1924, the fifth grade students from Orting School were photographed in front of their school building. For a list of the names printed on the back of the photograph, see Series RUCSHNER Image 001B. Theresa Rucshner, front seated row 4th from left, was eleven years old in this photograph. (scanned copy only - no hard copy) Photograph donated by Shirley Frasl Sigafoos.

School children--Orting; Orting School--Group portraits; Rucshner, Theresa; Orting School (Orting); Public schools--Orting--1920-1930;

This information was written on the back of the April 11, 1924 group portrait of the fifth grade students at Orting School. The back listed the names of the majority of the children in the photo. To see the photograph itself, see Series RUCSHNER Image 001B. (scanned copy only - no hard copy) back of photograph donated by Shirley Frasl Sigafoos.

School children--Orting; Orting School (Orting); Public schools--Orting--1920-1930;