Puget Sound Boat Building had a government contract to build barges for the Army. Building progress photos of U. S. Army B.S.P. 3136, a self propelled, 88 foot long, twin diesel engine, 26.8 foot beam barge. Interior view of plant with stern view of vessel. TPL-8027

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

Pacific Boat Building Co. received a government contract to build four barges for the Army. All vessels were to be built with wood, diesel powered and sea-going. View of hull building progress for 88 foot self propelled cargo barge at Pacific Boat plant.

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

John Breskovich sea trials of "Shangri-La of Astoria." John Breskovich was the owner of Pacific Boat Building Co. and the Vice-President of Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. Side view of "Shangri-La of Astoria" with "Patty," the motor boat, by ship's mast. TPL-8881

Boats--Tacoma; Motorboats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Breskovich, John; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

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 Building was gaining recognition for building first rate fishing vessels. They had just completed a series of Army tugs and barges and were getting an increase of contracts for commercial fishing boats. View of "Vagabond", a tuna clipper built by Puget Sound Boat. TPL-8887

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

Pacific Boat Building Co. was working on four barges for the Army, they also had other government contracts to build purse seiners. Rear view of propellers on 88 foot self propelled cargo barge. The barge was made of wood, diesel powered and would be a sea going vessel.

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

Pacific Boat Building Co. was working on four barges for the Army, they also had other government contracts to build purse seiners. Front view of U. S. Army B.S.P. 3131, an 88 foot self propelled cargo barge. The barge was made of wood, diesel powered and would be a sea going vessel.

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

Marvin Marine Repair Co. was originally a fishing boat repair company, but with the need for war related products they received government contracts to repair and build landing crafts and barges for the military. View of U. S. Army B.C. 1708.

Government vessels--Tacoma; Landing craft--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marvin Marine Repair Co. (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);

The three Liberty boats constructed by Birchfield Boiler for Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle are underway in Commencement Bay. The seiners are dwarfed by baby flat tops constructed in Tacoma and "mothballed" in the harbor after World War II. Ordered by Birchfield Boiler.

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

A view of the galley aboard "Libby No. 10" built by Birchfield Boiler. This narrow galley provides the required equipment for the two officers and four crewmen while at sea. A sink and metal counter are shown on the left with a cook stove and refrigerated storage area on the right. A table with benches lining the walls of the boat is seen at the back. Ordered by Bob Dorrim.

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

The three Liberty boats, Libby No. 9, No. 10, and No.11, are underway in Commencement Bay heading for Alaska fishing grounds. The seiners were powered by Chrysler Royal marine engines with 3.16 to 1 reduction gears from the National Supply Engine Corporation, Seattle, complete with accessories and keel coolers. Ordered by Birchfield Boiler. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

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

Launching of the "Bev Marie". The 113 foot tuna clipper was built for Captain Paul Lynn. She could carry a crew of 14 and a small seaplane, the first ship to be built in Tacoma with plans for a plane. She had a refrigerated capacity to carry 230 tons of fish. (TNT, 4/22/1950, p.7) TPL-9029

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

The "Golden Glow" fishing vessel built by Peterson Boat Building Company. Boat moving through water, creating wave, with crew aboard. She was photographed on February 12, 1951.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

The Hortensia-Bertin sits in the ways building at Tacoma Boat Building ready for launching into Commencement Bay. The large tuna clipper was designed by Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, and measured 103' x 24'10". O.E. Bertin would be her captain. She would have outstanding communication capabilities with radiophone and code instruments, a Northern Radio sending set and a National receiver. She was capable of carrying a crew of 20 and 185 tons of fish at 10 knots. Her home port was to be Tegucigalpa, Honduras. (TNT, 1/5/1950, p.21; Pacific Fisherman, April 1950, p.26; Pacific Fisherman, October 1950, p.12) TPL-9024

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

Launching of the John N. Cobb at Western Boat. L-R, Mrs. Emmett Egan and Mrs. Margaret E. Johnson, wife of Captain Sheldon W. Johnson, stand ready to christen the John N. Cobb, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service exploratory vessel. She was named after John N. Cobb, the first Dean of the School of Fisheries of the University of Washington, who had also served with the United States Bureau of Fisheries. Ordered for the Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. (Marine Digest, 2/4/1950)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Egan, Emmett--Family; Johnson, Margaret E.;

Tacoma Boat Building recently completed diesel tuna clipper, the Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa was designed by Arthur De Fever of San Pedro, California. The Yolande-Bertin was considered a wonderful addition to the impressive Pacific Tuna Clipper Fleet. View of Yolande-Bertin of Tegucigalpa, a diesel tuna clipper out on Tacoma's Commencement Bay (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook, 1950). TPL-9018

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

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Three men and woman with bouquet and ceremonial champagne bottle. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Ship inside wooden building. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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);

William Skansie (far left) and the crew of the Skansie's Shipbuilding Company stand in front of a 59-foot fishing boat that was completed in April of 1949. The yet un-named seiner was the first fishing boat to be built at the Skansie shipyard in Gig Harbor since 1930. John Cosulich (sixth from the left) had been foreman at the Skansie plant for 37 years. This Skansie fishing boat was designed by J. A. Martinolich of San Francisco, California. Skansie's Shipbuilding Company was owned and operated by William Skansie and Mitchell Skansie Jr. (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 14). TPL-8339

Fishing boats--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor; Launchings--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Skansie's Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Cosulich, John--Family; Skansie, William;

J. M. Martinac was founded in 1924, they had a large site where they had ship building operations, marine repair shop and a marine railway. They built fishing boats and work boats. Their advertisements said "A Martinac-Built boat is your guarantee of complete satisfaction". View of "Oregon", a 55 foot tuna clipper. TPL-8921

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Deep Sea 140 foot long range trawler, it will be able to prepare King crabs and fish from the water to the consumer. The vessel will have the machinery needed to sort and clean the crab, steam cook, wash with fresh water, weigh and freeze and package in aluminum foil. "Deep Sea" was the first Pacific-built fishing and processing vessel of her type, the boat was built for Deep Sea Trawlers, Inc. (Pacific Fisherman, July 1947, p. 40-41).

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

Peterson Boat Building. Three men inspect some of the machinery in the hold of a boat. Two of the housings are named "Baker". Baker manufactured refrigeration systems for fishing boats. TPL-8930

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Engines; Engine rooms--Tacoma; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1 took part in a drill with the Coast Guard, demonstrating the city's ability to fight a waterfront fire. The city's fire boat and five Coast Guard fire fighting barges went through their paces, shooting 50 streams of water high into the air. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

In May of 1943, Tacoma Fireboat #1 was used to patrol Tacoma's 36 miles of marine shoreline. Tacoma's first fireboat, it was launched in 1929 and served for 53 years, putting out waterfront fires and responding to emergencies such as sinking vessels and water rescues. During the war years, the city fire department and the Coast Guard patrolled waterfront businesses looking for fire hazards and awarding Waterfront Defense "Good Housekeeping" pennants. Fireboat #1 was retired from service in 1982 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989. She is displayed in a permanent dry berth at Marine Park off Ruston Way. The long, low and narrow riveted steel hulled vessel is 96.6 feet in length and could reach speeds of up to 15 knots. She is one of 10 vessels constructed as fireboats greater than 50 years of age left in the US. Of the five 1920's fireboats, she is the least modified and has not undergone extensive modernization. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p.14; National Park Service website under Maritime Heritage Program) TPL-8671

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950;

City Firemen and their Fireboat #1, pictured, cooperated with the Coast Guard in an exercise on May 7, 1943 demonstrating their ability to cope with waterfront fires. The fireboat and the Coast Guard's five fire barges drilled off Old Town Dock, pumping a combined 23,700 gallons of water a minute. The drill also called attention to the last few days of the Tacoma Waterfront Defense Committee's clean up drive. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p. 14)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);