The "Mary S." was joining a big fleet of Manuel Sousa and Associates fishing boats in San Diego, California. Manuel Sousa was visiting his native land, Portugal, therefore he was not able to attend the launching; L. L. Livesly, partner and managing owner, represented the company. View of the recently launched J. M. Martinac tuna clipper, the "Mary S." (T.N.T., 4/15/49, p. 29). TPL-8995
The "Mary S" slid down the ways at Martinac Shipbuilding on April 14, 1949. The , launching of the 109-foot tuna clipper drew the attendance of L. L. Livesly, partner and managing owner of Manuel Sousa and Associates of San Diego, California. Mrs. Joe Martinac Jr. and Mrs. L. L. Livesly were the launching sponsors for the "Mary S." (T.N.T., 4/15/49, p. 29). TPL-8994
J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation just finished building another Tacoma built fishing boat. The beautiful tuna clipper "Mary S." was built for Captain Manuel Sousa and Associates of San Diego, California. "Mary S." is 109 feet long and has a 600 horsepower engine, the vessel cost $300,000. View of "Mary S."; Martinac boat building plant in background (T.N.T., 4/15/49, p. 29). TPL-8993
Birchfield Boiler company were builders of the famous "Birchfield Boiler", they also specialized in building tanks, hot water heaters, pipes, stacks and various types of vessels. Birchfield Boiler, Inc. was located on 2503 East 11th Street in Tacoma's tideflats area; the plant was on the Port Industrial Waterway, now known as the Blair Waterway. View of Birchfield Boiler built "Situk", a 48 foot by 16 foot by 28 inch power scow built for Libby McNeill and Libby.
Barges--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);
Birchfield Boiler company were builders of all steel welded vessels of all types and designs. Birchfield fabricated the steel used in their ship building and also specialized in ship repairs and conversions. View of Birchfield Boiler built "Situk", a 48 foot by 16 foot by 28 inch power scow built for Libby McNeill and Libby.
Barges--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);
Double launching of two new U.S. Navy Destroyers, "Cushing" and "Perkins" at Navy Yard Shipbuilding dock on December 31, 1935. Huge crowds lined both sides of the waterway; some were standing in front of wooden buildings while others were seated on benches. The crowd at the Navy Yard launching was estimated at 8,000. (Bremerton Sun).
Admiral T. T. Craven and Mrs. Isabel Anderson at the launching of two new U.S. Navy Destroyers, "Cushing" and "Perkins," at Bremerton Navy Yard on December 31, 1935. Mrs. Anderson is holding the encased christening bottle. The "Perkins" was named after her father, George Hamilton Perkins, a Civil War hero. (Bremerton Sun).
Launching of two new U.S. Navy Destroyers, "Cushing" and "Perkins," at Bremerton Navy Yard shipbuilding dock on December 31, 1935. Over 8,000 people stood to watch the double christening. Miss Katherine A. Cushing, Adm. T.T. Craven, Mrs. Isabel Anderson, and Governor Clarence D. Martin were among the participants. (Bremerton Sun).
Western Boat Building Company has just completed and launched the "Mary E. Petrich", the largest tuna clipper ever built. The new vessel is 149-1/2 feet long, has a 34 foot beam, 1,600 horsepower submarine type diesel engine, and cost about $500,000 to build. The tuna clipper was named after Martin Petrich's late wife; view of the "Mary E. Petrich" being led out by tugboats, shortly after being christened (T. Times, 3/16/49, p. 1). TPL-8988
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);
The largest tuna clipper ever built, the "Mary E. Petrich" would be capable of carrying 450 tons of tuna under quick freeze refrigeration. This new vessel would be known as the queen of the tuna fleet, named after the late wife of Martin Petrich. View of Helen C. Petrich (right), wife of James F. Petrich Sr. and daughter-in-law to Martin Petrich; Helen was the "Mary E. Petrich" launching sponsor (T. Times, 3/16/49, p. 1). TPL-8990
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);
The "Mary E. Petrich" would be capable of fishing for tuna in Australian waters, these waters have never been fished by American coast-based vessels. The tuna clipper could travel at a speed of 13-1/2 knots. View of the large crowd gathered at Western Boat's main plant, for the launching of the "Mary E. Petrich", the largest tuna clipper ever built (T. Times, 3/16/49, p. 1). TPL-8989
Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);
In August of 1935, the west end of the Navy yard in Bremerton was known as the "Boneyard." Here unused or outdated ships rode at anchor, fastened together with intricate knots of cable. The white bow, visible in the interior of the group, was the USS Patoka. The Patoka, constructed in 1919, was outfitted with a distinctive stern mooring mast in 1924 for lighter-than-air craft. She was subsequently used as an operational and experimental base by three of the Navy's great dirigibles, USS Shenandoah (ZR-1) in 1924-1925, USS Los Angeles (ZR-3) in 1925-1932, and USS Akron (ZRS-4) in 1932. (Bremerton Sun 8/15/1935, pg. 1; www.history.navy.mil)
Boat graveyards--Bremerton; Government vessels--Bremerton; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;
Four large mothballed military vessels berthed in Bremerton were photographed for the Bremerton Sun in August of 1935. Locals referred to this area to the west of the Navy yard as the "Boneyard," the home to unused and sometimes outdated vessels. The vessel with the white bow, second from left, was the Patoka, one of the few vessels ever fitted with a dirigible mooring mast on the deck. The wide, tower-like mast can be seen on the left side of the photograph. Built in 1919, the vessel was stored due to the declining size of the peacetime Navy. Also mothballed at the Navy yard were the Aroostook, the USS Pyro (one of only 2 ammunition ships constructed by the US government,) and the oil burning Prometheus and Jason. (Bremerton Sun 8/15/1935, pg. 1)
Boat graveyards--Bremerton; Government vessels--Bremerton; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;
This aerial view of the Tacoma Yacht Club and the east corner of Point Defiance Park, just north of Ruston, was taken in August of 1948. The Point Defiance Ferry Terminal is in the upper right hand corner, and the buildings to the left of the marina belong to the ASARCO smelter. In 1934, a road was built along the bulkhead, just under the tree line, that passed under the pier that led to the ferry landing. Point Defiance's Funland Amusement Park is located top center and can be identified by the round shapes of some of the rides.
Boathouses; Boats; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Mooring; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Funland (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Amusement parks--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Local Tacoma fishermen, Robert and Alfred Erickson, had a new 47 foot all steel tuna hull, built by Birchfield Boiler. Robert was married to Jean and lived at 3816 South Cushman Avenue; Alfred was married to Ragna and lived at 1221 Ridgewood Avenue. View of unidentified woman, possibly Jean or Ragna, christening the new tuna hull, Birchfield Boiler's plant and shops in background.
Birchfield Boiler Incorporated, 2503 East 11th St., completed a 47 foot, all steel tuna hull for Alfred O. and Robert E. Erickson, local Tacoma fishermen, in July of 1948. Birchfield was in the process of expanding their shipbuilding and ship conversion department. After the hull was christened, the Erickson family celebrated on the desk of their new fishing boat. Birchfield Boiler's maintenance and electric shop can be seen in background.
Tacoma Yacht Club was hosting the International Cruiser Race, a 150 mile race between Tacoma and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Yacht clubs throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada were participating in the big event. View of "Reverie" a beautiful sailboat owned by Dr. Govnor and Barbara Teats, the Teats will be participating in the big race with their two sons, George and Bruce (T.N.T., 7/11/48, p. D-1).
Sailboat racing--Tacoma; Sailboats--Tacoma; Yachts--Tacoma; International Cruiser Race (Tacoma); Teats, Govnor--Associated objects; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);
View of M. W. "Wesley" Goss holding Cammarano Brothers Trophy, the trophy will be awarded to the winner of the "Free-for-All Outboard Race" on Sunday at Gig Harbor. This race is part of the two day Washington State Championships, participants will go through a one mile course. Goss is from Seattle, he will give a musical performance on his triple-toned golden chimes prior to the races starting (T. Times, 6/22/48, p. 12).
Regattas--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Awards; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Goss, M. W.;
Interior view of shaft alley in the "Scarlet Queen" tuna clipper, this is a typical shaft alley produced by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company. The tuna clipper's shaft alley is the distribution center for bait water, brine circulation and refrigeration control. The electric cables, steering controls and propulsion shafting all passes through the shaft alley (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8963
Fishing boats--Tacoma; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
View of "Scarlet Queen's" galley, modern oil-fired galley range, stainless steel trim, dual temp, refrigerator, tiles drain board, wood finished cupboards, large table with bench seating and magnesite floors. The kitchen also features a double sink with cold, hot and salt water, water cooler, radio and inter-com (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8966
Fishing boats--Tacoma; Galleys (Ship kitchens); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
The 165 foot "Scarlet Queen" would have a fishing crew of eighteen men, Tony Dutra was the ship's skipper. Interior view of the skipper's quarters, this room has beautiful hardwood built in features, including, drawers and storage compartments. The skipper's quarters has a deluxe bunk, reading lamp, window and pull out desk(Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8967
Fishing boats--Tacoma; Crew quarters; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beds; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
The 165 foot "Scarlet Queen" would have a fishing crew of eighteen men, Tony Dutra was the ship's skipper. Interior view of the crew's quarters, six mahogany trimmed bunks with inner spring mattresses, individual lockers and reading lamps and benches. The room is bright, airy and easy to keep clean (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8968
Fishing boats--Tacoma; Crew quarters; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beds; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Interior view of "Scarlet Queen's" navigator's quarters, separate from the steering room. The navigator's quarters was a miniature communications center, through which the vessel maintains frequent checks on its position and contact with other vessels and shore stations (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8969
Fishing boats--Tacoma; Navigation; Compasses; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Scarlet Queen was originally a military vessel, ATR-69, a World War II rescue tug. It was converted into the largest tuna clipper in the world by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company. View of a Gyro compass, radar unit, and loran; these highly technical and advanced instruments are located in the navigation and engine room. (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8965
Fishing boats--Tacoma; Navigation; Compasses; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Interior view of switchboard in the "Scarlet Queen" tuna clipper, the control and distribution panels are custom made to fit the needs of each individual ship. The switchboards are compact, the "Scarlet Queen" has multiple units including an A.C. unit. Tacoma Boat's electrical division works with their customers to provide the most efficient switchboards (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8964
Fishing boats--Tacoma; Switchboards--Tacoma; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Scarlet Queen built by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company was the largest tuna clipper built in the world, at least 25 feet larger than any other tuna clipper. The "Scarlet Queen" would be fishing for tuna in the Pacific Ocean, it had recently gone on its trial run in Tacoma's Commencement Bay. This vessel was owned by Arne Strom, co-owner of Tacoma Boatbuilding Company and Cecil Drake of San Diego, California (T. Times, 6/14/48, p. 1). TPL-8962
Fishing boats--Tacoma; Paintings; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Puget Sound Boat is completing and will deliver "Liberty" by September 1948. "Liberty" is a 100 foot, 400 horsepower, all brine tuna boat, purchased by Edward X. Madruga, of San Diego, California for $250,000. The boat was christened by Laura Schore at a ceremony held at the boat yard. This vessel was designed by James J. Petrich. View of "Liberty" in foreground, downtown Tacoma in background (T. Times, 5/26/48, p. 12). TPL-8957
Pacific Boat was owned by John B. and Robert J. Breskovich and Joseph S. Rosin. Pacific Boat was one of the leading boat builders in Tacoma during this time period, they had been actively involved in the war time production and post-war building era. Pacific boat could custom built any type of boat, whether they were fishing and government vessels or pleasure crafts. They had recently started mass production of pleasure motor boats. View of vessel sliding down a water ramp, it was likely following an official launching ceremony which included the christening. TPL-8938
