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;

Old London Dock destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936, as the Waterside Milling Co. wheat warehouse is engulfed by flames. The 2000 foot structure was divided into long sections separated by brick fire walls. It is believed that wood dust exploded causing the fire; fortunately, there were no fatalities listed. Damages were set at $260,000. The city fireboat, led by Chief Emory Whitaker, and four Foss tugs succeeded in successfully containing the blaze. (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;

Launching of "Southern Pacific" at J.M. Martinac. The 123 foot tuna clipper was built for Lu Brito (skipper) along with John Silva. She had a capacity of 270 tons and a crew of 15. She was equipped with a 800-hp Enterprise engine, two 150-hp 120 kw GM generating sets, one 60 kw GM generating set for auxiliaries at a cost of $400,000. She was also equipped with Sperry automatic power steering and an automatic pilot; Tacoma Range Company electric range; a Coolidge propeller, TCA radio, Intervox direction finder and a Submarine Signal fathometer. Additionally she was seaplane equipped. (Ledger, 11/4/1951; Marine Digest, 12/22/1951) TPL-9055

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

A Turner tow truck is lifting a big freighter on its towing rig. The freighter truck is pulling a trailer behind its regular load. The Turner truck cab has a dragon painted on the driver's door and words, "Call Turner, White Drag-In". Turner Towing was located at 2620 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. TPL-7943

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Turner Towing Co. (Tacoma); Towing--Tacoma; Wreckers (Vehicles)--Tacoma;

Four new Dodge trucks for Compton's are parked at Irwin Jones Company. Signs for Compton's are painted on the cab doors. Durkee's mayonnaise, margarine and salad dressing are advertised on the rear cargo areas of the trucks as well as Compton's name. Ordered by Walt Dunlap. TPL-9229

Dodge trucks; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Compton's Distributing Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

For George Boldt. Blood stains on highway at Sixth Avenue and Stevens. Chevrolet two-door coupe with rear skirts parked in residential neighborhood. License plate is B66235. Photograph taken on November 24, 1951.

Chevrolet automobile;

A boat, with only the deck visible, is docked and seemingly deserted on a foggy day in late 1951. A few tools lay abandoned and the scales and winches are empty. There is a possibility that this vessel is a former surplus Navy steam tug purchased from Foss Launch & Tug Co. by Western Boat Building to be converted into a refrigerated salmon tender and tuna fishing boat. Western Boat Building had purchased two former Navy vessels in the summer of 1951 with plans to spend approximately $500,000 to convert them for fishing purposes. (TNT 7-22-51, B-2)

Boats; Decks (Ships); Hammers; Equipment; Scales;

By November of 1935 Tacoma's merchants were demanding that something be done about "parking hogs." Even with diagonal parking there was little room on the streets for shoppers to park their cars. All the available space in front of the stores was being taken by business employees. As the streets like Commerce, in this photograph, became jammed with cars, some merchants started demanding parking meters to force cars off the streets. After years of fighting in city hall, 1,200 meters were installed during the summer of 1941. (For Corky Maybin, T.Times).

Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parking--Tacoma--1930-1940; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Three men at International Harvester "Truck Savings Station" standing beside truck owned by Williams Truck Company, Puyallup. Photograph taken on October 11, 1951.

Trucks--1950-1960; International Harvester Co. (Tacoma);

Ship being towed under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by tugboat from Foss Launch and Tug Company. View from above looking toward Point Fosdick as ship is towed north and approaches bridge. The "Donna Foss" is towing the much larger ship, the "Republic," on March 18, 1952. Assisting her is the "Agnes Foss" at the "Republic's" stern. On the other side of the ex-military transport but not seen is another tug, the "Wedell Foss."

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;

The Donna Foss, a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, steadily tows the much larger ex-military transport, the "Republic" vessel on a cloudy spring day in 1952. The Agnes Foss is at the "Republic's'' stern. The Wedell Foss, not seen, is also aiding in the tow. All boats will be eventually passing under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Donna and Agnes Foss tugboats will be towing the "Republic" to the Panama Canal where it will then be towed to the East Coast for scrapping. Foss Launch & Tug had its beginnings as a rowboat rental business started by Thea and Andrew Foss in the late 1890's. They later expanded to include motorized launches and tugboats and in 1920, changed the company name to Foss Launch & Tug Co. Even after the deaths of its founders, the company continued to expand its business to include Alaska and California. In 1986, a further name change occurred and Foss Launch became Foss Maritime Co. to better reflect the diversified nature of its maritime services. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 422, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;

The 590 foot ex-military transport vessel, the "Republic", is being pulled along under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, the Donna Foss, in March, 1952. The Donna Foss is being aided by two fellow tugs, the Wedell Foss and the Agnes Foss. The tugboats, although dwarfed in size by the much bigger vessel they tow, are designed to guide and pull boats despite the disparity in sizes. More powerful diesel engines, added in the early 1950's, allowed tugboats to maneuver in deep ocean waters. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TPL-2158, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

The Donna Foss tugboat from Foss Launch & Tug Co. has just towed a much larger ship, the ex-German military transport vessel, the "Republic", under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in a photograph taken on March 18, 1952. Fellow tugboats, the Agnes Foss and the Wedell Foss, are aiding in the tow. The "Republic" has a long voyage scheduled; it is on its way to the Panama Canal and then onto the East Coast where it will be scrapped. Tugboats are powerful boats designed to guide and pull vessels many times their weight. Foss Launch & Tug is a long-time Tacoma firm, established in the late 1890's by Thea and Andrew Foss. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

On March 18, 1952, the "Republic," an ex-German military transport, was photographed as it passed directly under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. It was being towed by a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, the Donna Foss. To the transport's stern were additional Foss tugboats, the Agnes Foss and the Wedell Foss. The "Republic" was at the start of a long voyage; from its storage in Olympia, it was being towed to the Panama Canal by tugboat and then onto the East Coast where it was scrapped. The trip was expected to take 40 days. The 20,000 ton "Republic" was built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1907 and used as a German transport in WWI. Captured by the Allied Forces, it then also served in WWII. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 422, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

Specially designed and equipped truck for street work. Highway "Super" manufactured by General Traffic Controls, Inc. View of tank and gauges at rear of truck. The truck was invented by Tacoma police officer Carl Sohmer expressly to paint lines on city streets. This photograph was part of a series taken in September of 1951.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Specially designed and equipped truck for street work. Highway "Super" manufactured by General Traffic Controls, Inc. and invented by Carl Sohmer, Tacoma police officer to paint stripes on city streets. Parked in center of street near Chevron service station in September of 1951. Note: Marks on image are caused by deteriorating diacetate negative.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Specially designed and equipped truck for street work. Highway "Super" manufactured by General Traffic Controls, Inc. This truck was invented by Tacoma police officer Carl Sohmer to paint lines on city streets. More than one color combination of striping could be applied. Photograph taken as part of a series in September of 1951.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

View of rear of truck painting lines. This photograph, taken on September 12, 1951, shows a rear view of a General Traffic Controls, Inc., truck which paints lines on city streets. Invented by Tacoma police officer, Carl Sohmer, the vehicle is on its way to Los Angeles for demonstrations before the National Institute of Traffic Engineers. There is an instrument board, chrome colored tank, and valve covered smaller tanks. Paint is possibly held in the large tank below the license plate. One or two color combinations of striping can be applied by regulating the panel board. Utilizing a two man crew, the guides are adjustable for 2-12 inch lines. (TNT 9-23-51, A-4)

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; General Traffic Controls, Inc. (Tacoma); Sohmer, Carl; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

A Highway "Super" truck, manufactured by the General Traffic Controls, Inc., is stopped in the process of painting a line down a city street. No driver can be seen. The large cannister to the truck's rear apparently is the source of the paint used. General Traffic Controls is a new corporation headed by Tacoma police officer, Sgt. Carl Sohmer, who invented the highway striping device. The vehicle is on its way to Los Angeles for demonstrations before the National Institute of Traffic Engineers. (TNT 9-23-51, A-4) TPL-8781

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; General Traffic Controls, Inc. (Tacoma); Sohmer, Carl; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Bus with group of children at Remann Hall. Northwest Kiwanis Club. This new bus for the children of Remann Hall was purchased with funds from the Kiwanis Club in September of 1951. County probation officer Herbert W. Ward (at left) received a check for the bus from Clarence Reuger of the Northwest Kiwanis Club. Mr. Reuger is standing in the open door of the bus. Also present was Judge Bertil E. Johnson (at right). The bus was used to take kids to ball games, civic events, the Puyallup Fair, school and church. (TNT 9-21-51, p. 1-alt. photograph)

Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remann Hall (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ward, Herbert W.; Reuger, Clarence; Johnson, Bertil E.; Judges--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);

Automobile and two streetcars collide at 8th and North I Streets. Wreckage of automobile suspended from wrecking truck crane. Small crowd viewing wreck from the lawn below a large house. (T. Times).

Accidents - Traffic Accidents

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;

Pleasure craft stream out into the Puget Sound at the beginning of the "Capital to Capital" annual cruiser race. In 1935, the race course covered 150 nautical miles from Tacoma to Nanaimo, BC. 51 vessels started the annual race and 49 finished. A Tacoma vessel, the "Irvinetta," skippered by I.C. Rowlands finished 2nd overall. (T. Times 7/25-27, 1935; T.Times 7/29/1935, pg. 1)

Regattas--1935; Yacht racing--1935;

On July 26, 1935 close to 100 of the finest power boats in the Pacific Northwest left Tacoma for Nanaimo, B.C. in the 8th annual international cruiser classic. Known as the "Capital to Capital" race, most of the previous competitions had been on courses charted from Olympia to Juneau or from Olympia to Victoria. The 1935 race started at the municipal dock in Tacoma, under the 11th Street Bridge, and threaded a course of 150 nautical miles through Puget Sound, and the San Juan and British Columbia Islands. Crews got very little sleep as the boats raced throughout the night and into the next day. Vessels could choose their own departure time, basing the time they calculated they would reach certain spots. Contestants did not stop at the control points along the course; they had to pass close enough to each point, however, to be identified. (T.Times 7/25-27, 1935 & 7/29/1935, pg. 1)

Regattas--1935; Yacht racing--1935;

Harbor with boats tied up to pier. Three people in the lower left corner are walking by a boat. Photo series is of the Capital to Capital Yacht Race from Tacoma to Nanaimo, BC in July of 1935. The race was expected to draw close to 100 entries, almost a 1/2 million in pleasure craft investment, that would carry around 600 persons. Only amateurs were eligible, no professional Navy men. Out of the proposed entrants, 51 started the race, 24 from Tacoma, and 49 finished. (T.Times 7/25-27, 1935 & 7/29/1935, pg. 1)

Regattas--1930--1940; Yacht racing--1930--1940; Yachts--1930--1940;

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;

Launching the "Historic" at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. The new tuna clipper was built for Oliver Verissimo and Assoc. of San Diego. She was powered by a 615-hp Enterprise diesel, two 150-hp GM diesels, 120-kw auxiliaries and she had refrigeration capacity of 240 tons. She could carry a crew of 15 and she was a sister ship to "Mona Lisa" and "Royal Pacific". A fourth sister ship was on the way. (TNT, 7/8/1951; Marine Digest 7/14/1951) TPL-9050

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

Launching the "Historic" at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. Sponsored by Mrs. Carl Silva, wife of the engineer-to-be and part owner, the new tuna clipper was built for Oliver Verissimo and Assoc. of San Diego TPL-9049

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

Royal Pacific on her June, 1951 sea trials. The "Royal Pacific," 118' x 26' x 13.5' tuna clipper, was valued at $320,000 and she would carry a 615-hp Superior diesel for a speed of 11 knots. She would hold 230 tons of tuna under refrigeration. Ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT, 5/6/1951, p.B-2) TPL-9048

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

Sea trials of the newest Libby Boats. Ordered by Birchfield Boiler, Bob Dohrer. Two of the five Libby boats built for Libby, McNeil and Libby of Seattle during 1950 and 1951 for fishing in Alaska. They were powered by Chrysler Royal marine engines with 3.16 to 1 reduction gears from National Supply Engine Corp of Seattle and equipped with Onan generators from Fremeon Electric Company of Seattle. A Rowe seine winch was operated off the power takeoff from the main engine. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951; Pacific Fisherman, Yearbook 1951, p.124)

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