Dust collecting equipment at Tacoma Smelter. During 1950 the American Smelting and Refining Company added a new sulphuric acid recovery plant. Other improvements during the year included modernization of the arsenic plant and installation of new ore-handling facilities to increase capacity to 200 tons an hour, replacing facilities which had been installed before they took over the Tacoma plant in 1905. Ordered by American Air Filter Company, c/o R.E. Chase & Company, Mr. Warren.

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Copper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

Dust collecting equipment at Tacoma Smelter. The steps taken in the production of copper and other metals at the American Smelting and Refining Company included crushing the raw materials that were delived to ASARCO by ship and by rail from all parts of the world. Following crushing the different types of concentrates and ores required for each refined metal were processed by Bedding and Roasting prior to Smelting. These processes were followed by Converting and Electrolytic Refining. Ordered by American Air Filter Company, c/o R.E. Chase & Company, Mr. Warren. (Tacoma Progress, June 1955)

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Copper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

Interior showing smelter job in foreground, Star Iron & Steel Co., Bob Allen. Welders are at work manufacturing parts for the Tacoma smelter, American Smelting & Refining Company.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950; Welding--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma);

Exterior to be used for letterhead, Steel, Steel & Steel, Inc., Mr. Ray. The company's window advertises that they have been realtors since 1920. David C. Steel was the president and manager of the company. William S. Steel served as secretary. Walter C. Steel Company was located at the same address and was headed by W.C. Steel. This night-time view of the offices includes window displays of current listings as well as the office fixtures and furnishings. TPL-8209

Steel Steel Steel, Inc. (Tacoma); Walter C. Steel, Inc. (Tacoma); Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Storefronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Real estate business--Tacoma;

Crane in shop for Times annual edition, Star Iron & Steel, Mr. Anderson. Star Iron and Steel had just completed this Gantry crane for the Bureau of Reclamation. It had a capacity of 13 1/2 tons and a total lift of 222 feet. The crane was to be used to handle the bulkhead gates at the Marshall Ford Dam, Colorado River Project, Texas. A similar crane, with 325 ton capacity, was being built at this time for the Davis Dam on the Colorado River. (T.Times, 2/26/1948, p.32)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hoisting machinery; Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Lumber Grappel being made for Weyerhauser Timber Company, Star Iron and Steel, George Buckingham. This lumber grapple was built to be operated by one man. It could run on direct or alternating current. It handled 7 1/2 tons of packaged lumber, to be picked up in any position and placed exactly where required. Leslie E. Jensen, Star's Chief Engineer (left) and Arthur Teabo, shop superintendent, are discussing construction details. (T.Times, 1/26/1948, p.5)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jensen, Leslie E.; Teabo, Arthur; Machinery; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ace Furnace and Steel Company. Exterior of the plant facilities. Ace Furnace and Steel Company manufactured furnaces, steel tanks, gasoline tankers and trailers, prefabricated service stations, and subcontracted on boats including interior work, ventilating ducts, galleys, etc. They also handled sheet metal work and blower and ventilating systems. (T.Times, 9/4/1946)

Ace Furnace & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Star Iron and Steel Company, interior of plant showing machinery. The information from the upper right corner is: S328 - 1945; Typical Turret Frame Assembly for 50 Ton Capacity Dry Dock Crane, Star Iron & Steel Co., Tacoma, Wash. The Star Iron and Steel Company manufactured heavy cranes and logging machinery. They made some of the largest and heaviest cranes used by the US navy and industry. (T. Times, 2/26/46)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pictures of assembly line at Nelson Boiler for Pacific Iron & Steel. Nelson Boiler Co. strengthened the company by consolidating with the iron and steel industry. They relocated into expanded facilities in order to fill Navy orders for steel barges. The new facilities enabled the company to keep Navy barges covered during building process. Interior view of covered plant.

Steel industry--Tacoma; Defense industry--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Nelson Boiler Co. (Tacoma);

Pictures of assembly line at Nelson Boiler for Pacific Iron & Steel. Nelson Boiler Co. strengthened the company by consolidating with the iron and steel industry. They relocated into expanded facilities in order to fill Navy orders for steel barges. Interior view of covered plant while laborers are working.

Steel industry--Tacoma; Iron & steel workers--Tacoma; Defense industry--Tacoma; Nelson Boiler Co. (Tacoma);

Crane under construction at Star Iron & Steel Co. The Star Iron & Steel plant was located in new quarters at 326 Alexander Ave. in the Port Industrial area. Custom designing and manufacturing special equipment, cranes, and hoists was its primary business. During July, 1964, gantry cranes weighing 50 and 350 tons were being manufactured by Star Iron & Steel. Gantry cranes were similar to overhead bridge cranes except that the bridge for carrying the trolly or trolleys was rigidly supported on two or more legs running on fixed rails or other runway. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Interior of Star Iron & Steel Co. plant on Alexander Ave. in the Port Industrial area. this is a general view of the machine shop area which has over 15,000 square feet of well lighted, heated space. Founded in 1908, Star Iron & Steel was one of the oldest steel fabricating companies in the Pacific Northwest. Cranes, hoists and special machinery were custom designed and manufactured. In July, 1964, Star Iron & Steel were busy constructing 50 and 350 ton gantry cranes. Gantry cranes are similar to overhead cranes with the same strength and durability but are raised above the floor by support legs mounted on the end trucks. There was ample space in the machine shop area also for assembling crane trolleys, hoists, drive trucks and other mechanical equipment. TPL-9626 (SIS booklet, c. 1965)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Pacific Iron & Steel Works, 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) An employee turns a wheel operating a large piece of machinery in the foundry.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma-- 1940-1950;

Foundry operations - Pacific Iron & Steel Works. Pacific Iron & Steel was housed in a two-story wood & sheet metal structure at 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) The company, founded in 1914, manufactured logging and hoisting machinery, steel castings and dredging machinery. A worker is pictured here on January 10, 1943, turning the wheel which operates the large machine before him.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pacific Iron & Steel Works, 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) An employee looks diminutive beside what may be a huge mold for steel castings.The foundry, built in 1914, also manufactured large machinery for logging and hoisting.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma-- 1940-1950;

Pacific Iron & Steel Works, 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) Photograph is of large machinery covering the floor of the foundry. The company manufactured steel castings, as well as large machinery for logging, dredging and hoisting.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma-- 1940-1950;

Interior of Pacific Iron & Steel Works at 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) The foundry was built in 1914. The company produced heavy machinery for logging, hoisting, dredging and farming, as well as steel castings. The 1942 City Directory gives the company address as 1602, the pattern shop as 1801 Canal and the plant as 1601 Canal.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma-- 1940-1950;

Exterior view of Pacific Iron & Steel Works, 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) Two story warehouse, wood and sheet metal construction with elevated second story. The company manufactured logging and hoisting machines, steel castings and dredging machinery. TPL-2937

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma-- 1940-1950;

Pacific Iron & Steel Works, 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) Large machinery designed for working with steel covers the warehouse floor.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma-- 1940-1950;

Pacific Iron & Steel Works, 1602 Canal St.(now Portland Ave.) The worker appears tiny next to a large piece of machinery in the foundry and the steel manufactured piece that he is working on.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma-- 1940-1950;

Long view of the exterior of Pacific Iron and Steel Works at 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) The company manufactured heavy machinery for logging, hoisting and dredging. The foundry was built in 1914.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma-- 1940-1950;

Additional view of Star Iron & Steel Co.'s "Porta Tower" in operation at the Cotten Bros. logging site located in Packwood. These towers could be moved from logging camps to other logging camps with relative ease with transport by heavy-duty trucks. "Porta Towers" were mobile steel spur trees. See A139670-4 for another view of "Porta Tower" in use. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel; Hoisting machinery; Logs;

Porta Tower in operation at the Cotten Bros. logging site in Packwood on October 23, 1963. Used as portable steel spur trees, "Porta Towers" were manufactured by Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma for use in the logging industry. Star Iron & Steel was well known for their cranes and specialized equipment which included hydraulic presses, log barkers, radio and television towers, and chip handling buckets. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel; Hoisting machinery; Logs;

Unseen operators in the small George Scofield Co. crane house handle the controls of a large Brute Crane in this March 28, 1930, photograph originally taken by Marvin Boland. Piles of what appear to be pipe segments are in the foreground. A Union Pacific sign is on top of a building near the waterway. Brute cranes were manufactured by Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co; customer print copied on September 17, 1963.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

A Brute Crane manufactured by the Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma is in the process of hoisting lumber at the Seattle Export Lumber Co. There are piles of lumber on both sides of the crane. Date of original photograph is unknown; copy made on September 17, 1963.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; Lumber; Seattle Export Lumber Co.;

Another view of the Brute Crane operated by the George Scofield Co. taken on March 28. 1930, by Marvin Boland; see A139500-30 for additional shot. The crane is apparently in the process of scooping up material. Brute Cranes were manufactured by Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.; copy made of customer print on September 17, 1963.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

An enormous Brute Crane manufactured by the Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma balances both men on board and heavy loads of plywood in this customer print copied in September, 1963. The presence of other piles of plywood near the building under construction seem to indicate that the Brute Crane has already been put to good use. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; Plywood; Building construction;

Interior of new Star Iron & Steel Co. plant on Alexander Avenue. Richards Studio notes indicate these are "fixed wheel gates" in process of being assembled. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Photographs were requested for a government report concerning the construction of a 275-ton powerhouse crane by Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma. The crane was ordered for the Barkley power plant on Kentucky's Cumberland River. This July 15, 1963, photograph shows the main hoist blocks and auxiliary hoist blocks.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma);

Part of a series of photographs of a 275-ton powerhouse crane constructed by Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma for the Barkley Power Plant on the Cumberland River. This July 15, 1963, view is described as the general arrangement and trolley with main and auxiliary hoists.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma);