The U.S. Army tug ST-472 was launched by Pacific Boat Building Co. on March 5, 1944. The wood ship is pictured above sliding down the ways.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tugboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

This is the newly launched Tug ST-472 on March 5, 1944. She was built by Pacific Boat Building Co. of Tacoma for the U.S. Army.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tugboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat fish boat water shots. A view of the port side of North Sea, a combination fishing vessel, on Puget Sound. She was owned by Henry Stakset, Ernest Nelson and Richard Rydman, had a 100 hp Washington diesel engine and was sistership to North Star. Tacoma Boatbuilding Company was started in 1936 by H. Dahl and A. Strom. The partners wanted to build fishing vessels for North Pacific fishermen. (Fisherman Yearbook, 1945, p.256, 376)

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Fishermen's Derby. Annual Father and Son Salmon Derby, sponsored by the Tacoma Poggie Club was held at Point Defiance Park. 200 boys and girls were expected to attend. View of participants in fishing boats on Point Defiance waterfront.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Children fishing--Tacoma; Contests--Tacoma; Poggie Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat. Puget Sound Boat Building received many military contracts. They were building ocean going tugs and self propelled barges for the Army. View of boat built by Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. on Puget Sound for ship trials.

Boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sea Boy launching. Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. launched the 85- ft. sardine boat, "Sea Boy," into the City Waterway on July 1, 1944. Many gathered to view the impressive sight. View of three unidentified individuals, including an infant, who were present at launching of "Sea Boy." (T. Times, 7/1/44, p. 4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Infants--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sea Boy launching. Sea Boy is the 10th boat built and the 9th launched from the Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. site. It is the fourth seine boat built at this shipyard. View of Sea Boy, an 85 ft. sardine boat being launched into City Waterway (T. Times, 7/1/44, p. 4). TPL-8865

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Peterson boat "Americano." Peterson Boat Building Co. was founded by George Peterson in 1942. They are a small but busy shipyard. Peterson Boat Building Company's general manager was George J. Peterson and the company's plant was located on 223 East F Street in Tacoma. They have recently received a government contract to build Army tugs. View of "Americano," a tuna clipper built by Peterson Boat Building Co. TPL-8996

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Peterson boat "Americano." Peterson Boat Building Co. was founded by George Peterson in 1942. They are a small but busy shipyard who recently received a government contract to build Army tugs. View of "Americano," a tuna clipper built by Peterson Boat Building Co. TPL-8866

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Peterson boat "Americano." View of fishing boat taken on July 10, 1944, probably in Commencement Bay. Peterson Boat Building Co. was founded by George Peterson in 1942. They are a small but busy shipyard. Peterson Boat Building Company's general manager was George J. Peterson, the company's plant was located on 223 East F Street in Tacoma. View of "Americano," a tuna clipper built by Peterson Boat Building Co. TPL-8997

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Western Boat. Western Boat Building Co. is about to launch a tuna clipper. They have recently completed two, as well as many other ships for the Navy. The company is owned by Martin Petrich Sr. and his three sons. View of gathering prior to boat launching. TPL-8867

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

American Girl launching. The American Girl tuna boat, built by Petrich Shipbuilding, was commissioned by Joe Alves and Joe Machado. They are affiliated with the Van Camps Seafood Co. in San Diego, California. Stern view of American Girl tuna boat in Puget Sound. The ship was launched at Old Town dock on July 23, 1944. Among those present were Petrich Shipbuilding owners, skipper Joe Machado, co-owner Joe Alves, sponsor Lucille Machado and Acting Mayor Val Fawcett. (T. Times, 7/24/44, p. 2-article on launching; TNT 7-24-44, p. 1-article on launching). TPL-8869

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

American Girl launching. The American Girl tuna vessel, built by Western Boat Building Co., is completely refrigerated and can handle 180 tons of tuna. It will join the tuna fleet that travels between San Diego, California and the coast of South America. View of American Girl tuna boat on Puget Sound (T. Times, 7/24/44, p. 2). TPL-8868

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Launching party. Acting mayor Val Fawcett (third from left in bow tie) was present for the christening and blessing of the tuna boat, "American Girl," built by Petrich Shipbuilding. The event occurred on Sunday, July 23, 1944, at Old Town dock. Father Henry J. Schultheis of Bellarmine High gave the blessing as requested by the ship's co-owners, Joe Alves and Joe Machado. Mr. Machado at age 23 was one of the youngest skippers in the fishing business. His wife Lucille was the ship's sponsor. Also present were representatives of Petrich Shipbuilding including Harvey Petrich and his father Martin. The fishing boat, "American Girl, " was 106-feet long, completely refrigerated and had a capacity of 180 tons of tuna. ALBUM 14. (TNT 7-24-44, p. 1-article; T.Times 7-24-44, p. 2-article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Schultheis, Henry J.; Machado, Joe; Alves, Joe; Machado, Lucille; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Petrich, Martin;

Western Boat Building Co. was owned and operated by the Petrich Family. They were building tuna clippers and purse seiners for the Navy. View "Dolores M" control room with partial view on right side of ship's steering wheel. TPL-8872

Helms; Control rooms; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Pacific Boat Building Co. received a government contract to build 14 barges in February 1944. All vessels were made of wood, diesel powered and sea going. View of unidentified family at launching of 72 foot long sea going power barge with 240 horsepowered diesel engine.

Barges--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. had recently received an Army contract to build four ocean going tugs and self propelled barges. View of ship in Puget Sound plant, prior to launching. TPL-8876

Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound boat. "Sea Boy" is an 85- ft. sardine boat built by Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. She was built for Bill and Ted Healy. This boat is the fourth seine boat built at the Puget Sound yard. View of "Sea Boy" out on Puget Sound in mid-September, 1944. TPL-8874

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Peterson Boat Building Co. was started in 1942 by George Peterson, a long time Tacoma boat builder. This was a small but busy plant. They built fishing boats, but also received government contracts to build vessels for the Army and the Navy. View of West Coast, a tuna clipper, on Puget Sound for sea trials. TPL-8875

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound boat. Sea Boy is an 85 ft. sardine boat built by Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. It was built for Bill and Ted Healy. This boat is the fourth seine boat built at the Puget Sound yard. View of Sea Boy out on Puget Sound. TPL-9117

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. began building vessels in May 1942. The company was started by two of the Martinolich brothers, well known for their boat building on the West Coast. They immediately received government contracts to build ships for the Army. View of recently finished vessel being transported to Puget Sound plant. TPL-8802

Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound boat. Sea Boy is an 85 ft. sardine boat built by Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. It was built for Bill and Ted Healy. This boat is the fourth seine boat built at the Puget Sound yard. View of Sea Boy out on Puget Sound. TPL-9116

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In September of 1944, Juanita Warnell helped christen a new ship at the Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corporation, 820 East D Street. During WWII Puget Sound Boatbuilding completed a string of ocean going tugs for the U.S. Army. Between government contracts they built purse seiners. They went out of business in the late 1950s.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Warnell, Juanita

Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. began producing ships in May 1942. They were building government vessels and commercial fishing boats. They company was started by two of the Martinolich brothers, well known boat builders on the West Coast. Interior view of Sea Boy's control room with helm, compass and engine controls.

Helms; Control rooms; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. built Sea Boy, an 85 foot sardine boat, for Bill and Ted Healy. Sea Boy is the fourth seine boat built at the yard. View of two unidentified men aboard Sea Boy. TPL-8878

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat Building Company completed the sardine seiner, North American, in 1944. Tacoma Boat Building was owned by H. Dahl and A. Strom, who were dedicated to building quality fishing vessels for North Pacific fishermen. View of North American's helm, compass and engine controls. TPL-8880

Helms; Control rooms; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat Building Company completed the sardine seiner, North American, in 1944. This boat was said to be one of the most modern sardine boats ever to be built. Tacoma Boat Building was owned by H. Dahl and A. Strom, who were dedicated to building quality fishing vessels for North Pacific fishermen. View of two unidentified men aboard the North American. TPL-8879

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Allen Petrich, Sr., is aboard a modified tuna tender in this photograph from 1944. His father, Martin Petrich, Sr., and others started Western Boat Building Co. in 1916. The Petrichs' five sons, Hervey, Allen, Martin Jr., Jim and Jack, helped Western Boat Building become a well known and respected business in Tacoma. They built government vessels, commercial fishing vessels and pleasure boats. The modified tuna tender above, dubbed the "Patty," had an open cockpit and resembled a racing boat. She was used to travel to and from docks when large tuna clippers could not and was carried aboard the larger ships. (Identification and additional information provided by a reader)

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Petrich, Allen;

Western Boat Building Co. was started by Martin Petrich Sr. With the help of his five sons, Harvey, Allen, Martin Jr., Jim and Jack, it became a well known and respected business in Tacoma. They built government vessels, commercial fishing vessels and pleasure boats. Allen Petrich, Sr., is pictured above in September of 1944, driving the "Patty," a modified tuna tender. The tuna tender was a small boat that could be carried aboard the large tuna clippers and used to get to a dock and back. (Additional identification and information provided by a reader)

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Petrich, Allen;

Western Boat Building Co. was a well equipped Tacoma shipyard building vessels for the Army, Navy and Coast Guard. Western Boat was about to launch a YP627, self propelled patrol craft, for the navy, in honor of Navy Day. View of unidentified Navy ship crew, their family members and the launching sponsor, Mrs. Kenneth Jones, in center holding roses (T. Times, 10/30/44, p. 7).

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);