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;

ca. 1953. Launching of naval ship #445, the U.S.S. Force, with the skyline of downtown Tacoma in the background. The all wood craft was the fourth of nine contracted 171 foot Naval minesweepers to be built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. Mrs. Thomas D. Wilson, wife of a Navy Captain, served as sponsor and christened the ship with the ceremonial champagne. The band from the U.S.S. Essex played "Anchors Aweigh" as the ship slid down the ways. (TNT 6/21/1953, pg. B-2 & 6/27/1953, pg. 1)

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

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);

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);

ca. 1953. Launching of naval ship #445, named the U.S.S. Force, the fourth of a series of nine 171 ft. minesweepers to be built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. Mrs. Thomas D. Wilson, wife of the Commander of the Bremerton Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, was sponsor, assisted by Judith K. Ross as flower girl. M.S. Erdahl served as the master of ceremonies and Rear Admiral Charles D. Wheelock, inspector general for the Navy's bureau of ships, was the principal speaker. Other Naval dignitaries included Rear Admiral H.E. Haven, Commandant of the Puget Sound Naval shipyard, Capt. Linton Herndon, supervisor of shipbuilding Seattle, and Comdr. Lawrence MacKinlay, resident supervisor of shipbuilding Tacoma. The launching was followed by a reception and dinner at the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 6/21/1953, pg. B-2, 6/27/1953, pg. 1)

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

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);

ca. 1953. Three unidentified men examine a boat engine while aboard a wooden vessel under construction in this circa 1953 photograph.

Boat engines; Boat & ship industry--1950-1960;

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);

In the early 1950s, Arden Farms took over the building at 824 Martin Luther King Jr. Way that had been the home of the Olympic Dairy Products Co. The large milk bottle on the roof made the building immediately identifiable. This photograph from February of 1953 shows four Arden Milk drivers standing proudly by their new Ford delivery trucks. The men are all dressed neatly in striped overalls, ties, and caps with the company's logo on them. Arden Farms was well known for their milk, "flavor fresh" ice cream, butter and cottage cheese. TPL-8203

Arden Farms Co. (Tacoma)--People; Ford trucks;

Each new Arden Milk truck is matched with its own driver on February 21, 1953. Arden Farms had just received four new refrigerated Ford trucks for use in delivering their milk and other dairy products. Arden drivers were neat in appearance with striped overalls, white shirts, ties and company caps. TPL-8083

Arden Farms Co. (Tacoma)--People; Ford trucks;

Scene of automobile accident for Allstate Insurance Company, J. A. Stein. Dirt shoulder of road with plain, vernacular-style houses in background. Predominate house on right has "For Sale" sign in window. Photograph was taken on March 21, 1953 for insurance purposes.

Traffic accidents; Houses--1950-1960;

A small stage, decorated in red, white and blue bunting, was constructed to be used in the February, 1953, launching of the USS Energy, #436, built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. Martinac had landed the contract to build a series of 171-foot mindsweepers for the Navy; this is the second completed after the USS Endurance the previous year. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding.(TNT 2-1-53, B-2, TNT 2-14-53, p. 1)

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

A group of six men, two women and a little girl pose in front of the recently constructed USS Energy in preparation for its official launching on February 13, 1953. Four of the men are wearing naval uniforms; one woman is holding a large bouquet of roses. She may be the sponsor, Mrs. Alice McDonald Baughman of Seattle. Captain Clyde Jensen of the Bremerton Navy Yard was to give the principal address. The ship was built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, and was to be launched from the Bayview Shipyard. (TNT 2-1-53, B-2, TNT 2-14-53, p. 1)

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

Three tanks full of chlorine are are tightly wedged into place on board a barge in April, 1954. The vessel, Mogul, is docked nearby. By 1954, Tacoma was home to many large chemical producing companies, including Hooker Electrochemical and Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company of Washington. Chlorine and also caustic soda were made and then shipped, by boat and rail, to pulp and paper mills. Photograph ordered by Griffith Steamship Ltd.

Cargo ships--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Chlorine tanks are securely fastened on a barge which was dockside on April 23, 1954. There are three separate sets of rails on board to accomodate the tanks. The freighter, Mogul, out of Vancouver, British Columbia, is by the barge's side. The bridge shown in the distance between the two vessels possibly spans the Hylebos Waterway. Photograph ordered by the Griffith Steamship Ltd.

Cargo ships--Tacoma; Storage tanks--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;

Four members of the 465th Fighter Interceptor Squadron stationed at McChord Air Force Base posed in front of a F-86D in December of 1953. The pilots are, left to right, Lts. Thomas E. Randall, Franklin B. Brigham, Sam Huser and Edwin Liddell. In 1953 the F-86D Sabre was the fastest regulation military aircraft in the world. In July of 1953 an F-86D piloted by Lieutenant Colonel William Barnes achieved 715.697 mph over a course at the Salton Sea in California. This particular photograph was selected for the News Tribune along with family pictures of other pilots from that squadron. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (TNT 12/13/1953, pg. E1)

Airplanes; Fighter planes--U.S. Air Force; Military air pilots--Air Force; Randall, Thomas E.; Brigham, Franklin B.; Huser, Sam; Liddell, Edwin;

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);

US Air Force jet airplane. The pilot can be seen clearly in the cockpit. The jet was stationed at McChord Air Force Base. Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune.

Airplanes; Fighter planes--U.S. Air Force--1950-1960;

This photograph of a North American F-86D fighter on the runway at McChord Air Force Base was taken in December of 1953 for an article on the history of aviation that appeared in the Tacoma News Tribune. In 1953 the F-86D Sabre was the fastest regulation military aircraft in the world. In July of that year it had set a new world speed record of 715.697 m.p.h. over a 3 km course. The only thing faster was the experimental Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket which by December of 1953 had been clocked at speeds up to 1,327 m.p.h. (Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune.) (TNT 12/12/1953 p.16)

Airplanes; Fighter planes--U.S. Air Force--1950-1960;

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);

US Air Force pilot poses in front of his jet airplane, most probably at McChord Air Force Base. The pilot is wearing a flight helmet with the breathing apparatus pulled away from his face. Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune.

Airplanes; Fighter planes--U.S. Air Force; Military air pilots--Air Force;

White truck with special equipment in front of White Trucks offices. The White Company of Cleveland, Ohio began manufacturing large trucks in the 1900's. Frank Buchanan was president of the Tacoma White Trucks.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; White trucks; Tacoma White Trucks, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

White truck with special equipment in front of White Trucks offices. The White Company of Cleveland, Ohio began manufacturing heavy duty trucks in 1900.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; White trucks; Tacoma White Trucks, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A 55 foot truck from Elliott Bay Lumber Co. being loaded with a fork lift at Cavanaugh Lumber Co., wholesalers of lumber.

Building materials industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cavanaugh Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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);