Minnie (Mrs. John) Flintoff smiled at the camera above her enormous bouquet of roses after sponsoring the launch of the minesweeper YMS 244 on December 18, 1942. Her husband John was the outfitting foreman at Tacoma Boat Building Co. She posed next to her daughter Dorothy. The Flintoff family resided at 1112 So. Oakes and included John Jr. and Bentley, who was serving with the US Air Corps. (T. Times 12/23/1942, pg. 16)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Flintoff, Minnie; Flintoff, Dorothy; Flintoff, John--Family;

Launching of "Pride of America" at Peterson Boat Building in September of 1942.

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

Truck loaded with fuel wood overturned by Municipal Belt Line train engine number 1627 on 11th Street on January 6, 1943. Small crowd of men gathered around accident site near Tacoma Lumber Co. and Birchfield Boiler. The collision between the train and the small Lotan Fuel Co. truck did not result in any injuries. Estimated damages were not listed at the time of the Tacoma Times brief article dated January 7, 1943. (T.Times, 1-7-43, p. 6)

Railroad accidents--Tacoma; Municipal Belt Line (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lotan Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

During WWII many of the businesses in Tacoma/Pierce County sponsored competitive sports teams for their employees. The Sea-Tac (Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation) Shipyard All-Stars, a Pierce County Inter-League basketball team, were photographed at the Tacoma Boys Club in January of 1943. The All-Stars included former prep and college stars and several full blooded Native Americans. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are Vic Lyon, Frank Ferrians, Verne Goodwin, Pete Hilt, Phil Red Eagle, Bob Ness and Pat Piper. Upper row, left to right, are Ron Ferrians, Ernie Bighorn, Mason Longmire (mgr.), Dip Loveland, Clarence Gottgetreu and Stan Buckhalter. (T.Times 2/5/1943, pg. 14-alt. photograph)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Indigenous peoples--Washington;

Traffic scenes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Nearly empty street, two automobiles, several pedestrians. Ordered by General Insurance Company.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

WWII saw thousands employed at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, making it the area's largest employer. The changing of shifts meant that the roadways were packed with employees on the move. This was a typical traffic scene in August of 1942 where shipyard workers are scurrying to the many buses parked at the shipyard. To help alleviate the traffic congestion caused by private automobiles, a fleet of mass transit busses was supplied to the shipyards, stopping some of the traffic nightmares. Busses are marked 6th Ave., Kay Street, Eleventh St., McKinley Ave., Manitou and College, among other route names. Ordered by General Insurance Company.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Traffic scenes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Parking lot full of buses, many people walking. Ordered by General Insurance Company.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Traffic scenes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation near Hooker Chemical Company. Parking lot full of buses, many people walking. Ordered by General Insurance Company.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buses--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

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;

Henry Mill test assembly of truss. Henry Mill & Timber Co. specialized in pre-fabricated lumber products. They were a leader in the industry and received many government contracts. Exterior view of group examining assembly of truss. TPL-6661

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;Trusses--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

General Mills, South Tacoma, Farm service Division. A granary, feed mill, wholesale and retail feed and farm supply store buildings are shown. Cars are parked along the storage building.

General Mills, Inc., Farm Service Division (Tacoma); Agricultural facilities--Tacoma;

This photograph, taken in December 1943, shows the sales office and loading dock of the General Mills, Inc. Farm Services Division at 5440-48 So. Washington St. in South Tacoma. The old brick grain wherehouse was built before 1908 by W.H. Kenworthy to take advantage of the proximity of this area to the Northern Pacific Shops were Mr. Kenworthy had worked before opening the granary. Part of the Kenworthy complex is currently used by X-Cel Feed Inc. One of the other building recently opened at the Brickyard Bar &Grill. TPL-6516

General Mills, Inc., Farm Service Division (Tacoma); Agricultural facilities--Tacoma;

Workers at Northern Pacific Railroad's South Tacoma shops during Wendell Willkie's visit. Mr. Willkie was the Republican candidate for President in 1940. (T. Times)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Railroad employees; Political campaigns; Presidential elections;

Cape Flattery and Cape Alava, vessels 1 & 2 to be built at the new Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., pictured docked next to each other. The cargo motorships were the first two of the "C-1" type to be launched. Hull #3 would be launched in late November. The ships were 413 feet long, 5,000 gross tons and carried two 4,000 horsepower diesel engines, enabling them to reach a sea speed of 14 1/2 knots. The ship yard was the recent recipient of a number of vessel contracts and now employed 1200 men on two shifts.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Progress photograph of Hull #3 at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. The shipyard was commissioned to build a total of five merchant ships. Two, the Cape Flattery and Cape Alava, had already been launched. TPL-1854

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Large crane at the Seattle Tacoma shipyards. Their first launch, Cape Flattery, is in the background. The shipyard started in business with an order for five identical 415 foot cargo ships from the U.S. Maritime Commission. They would see their business quickly increase as America geared up for war. The company had one plant in Tacoma and one in Seattle.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Hundreds watched on August 1, 1940 as the Cape Alva slid down the ways at the Seattle- Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation plant in Tacoma. Originally known simply as Hull #1, the Cape Alva, a freight motorship, was the first vessel to be launched by the Sea-Tac Shipbuilding Co. at their Tacoma site. She was also Tacoma's first major motorship launching in 17 years. The cost of the big steel craft was $2,127,000. She was 416 feet long and 60 feet wide with two 4,000 Horsepower diesel engines and a single four bladed propeller. Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding was located at 100 Alexander Avenue on the site of the old Todd Shipyards. The Cape Alva was sold to a private concern in 1948 and scrapped in 1970. (T. Times 7/18/1940, pg. 1; 7/23/1940, pg. 2)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sea Boy launching. An 85 ft. sardine boat built by Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp for Bill and Ted Healy was launched into Puget Sound on July 1st. This event was sponsored by Mary Klemme. View of William Healy, Iris Healy, Mary Klemme, Marguerite Healy and Theodore Healy at the Sea Boy launching (T. Times, 7/1/44, p. 4).

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Healy, Bill--Family; Healy, Ted--Family;

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Interior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. plant. Cubicle for parts are shown on left side of this workshop. TPL-6652

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Interior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. plant. Elaborate machinery used for boatbuilding enabled the company to produce minesweepers for the war effort. TPL-6649

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

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Exterior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. A glimpse of the YMS minesweeper can be seen on the right, Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. received a contract for $700,000 for each of the minesweepers built at this time. TPL-6650

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

Puget Sound Boat. Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. gained recognition for their fishing boats and were rated among the top boat builders in Tacoma. They built many vessels for the Army Transportation Division as well. Interior view of boat building plant at Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. TPL-8864

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Wilkeson Products interior and exterior of mine. The Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. mine brought prosperity to a small town. Jobs were readily available for those interested in coal mining. Exterior view of coke producing plant. TPL-7989

Coke industry --Wilkeson; Coal mining--Wilkeson; Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. (Wilkeson);

Coke plant interior and exterior for Wilkeson Products. On May 28, 1943, the first coke oven was charged at this site. After its success six more ovens were charged the following day. During the first week of June 1943, operations began at this million dollar Pacific Northwest coke plant.

Coke industry--Tacoma; Wilkeson Co. (Tacoma);

Coke plant interior and exterior for Wilkeson Products. The Wilkeson Coke plant will provide shipments to defense plants in the Pacific Northwest, as well as, gas supplies for heating and cooking in Tacoma. Tacoma will be fortunate enough to have unlimited gas supplies during the cold winter months.

Coke industry--Tacoma; Wilkeson Co. (Tacoma);

Coke plant interior and exterior for Wilkeson Products. Non-stop operations at the Wilkeson Coke plant have been difficult to maintain, but a necessary task. Plant provides shipments to commercial businesses and residents of Tacoma. Coke plant is the only one of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

Coke industry--Tacoma; Wilkeson Co. (Tacoma);

Wilkeson Products interior and exterior of mine. In 1888 Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. began producing the best grade of coke available in the West. Wilkeson Co. mine employed 200 employees, they lived with their families in Wilkeson, Washington, a small mining town in eastern Pierce County. View of buildings at Wilkeson.

Coke industry--Wilkeson; Coal mining--Wilkeson; Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. (Wilkeson);

Wilkeson Products interior and exterior of mine. Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. had the largest coal and coke mine in the State of Washington. They were one of the only completely electrified mining plants in the world, and always had the most modern machinery available. Interior view of mining plant. TPL-6616

Coke industry--Wilkeson; Coal mining--Wilkeson; Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. (Wilkeson);

Wilkeson Products interior of mine and coke plant. Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. had the largest coal and coke mine in the State of Washington. They were one of the only completely electrified mining plants in the world, and always had the most modern machinery available.

Coke industry--Wilkeson; Coal mining--Wilkeson; Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. (Wilkeson);