Boat launching. Standing in front of the new fishing boat, the "Conquest," were the principal parties honored at the ship's launching on October 23, 1968. From L-R are J.S. Martinac, Mrs. Joseph Madruga, Mr. Madruga, and an unidentified man. The 165-foot vessel was built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation for Joseph Madruga. Mrs. Madruga, holding a bouquet of long stem red roses, was the ship's sponsor. After undergoing sea trials, the "Conquest" would be delivered to the Madrugas in January of 1969. She would fish in the San Pedro, California, area, with Richard Madruga, Joseph's brother, as captain. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-24-68, A-3) TPL-9194

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Madruga, Joseph--Family; Martinac, J.S.; Roses--Tacoma;

A smiling Mrs. Joseph Madruga poses in front of the tuna seiner, "Conquest," on October 23, 1968. The 165-foot fishing vessel, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, was launched that day. Mrs. Madruga, clutching an enormous bouquet of long stem red roses, was the ship's sponsor and christened the "Conquest" with the traditional bottle of champagne. She was the wife of the boat's managing owner. Assisting Mrs. Madruga in the christening was Mrs. Richard Madruga, wife of the ship's captain. The Madruga brothers would fish for canneries in the San Pedro, California, area. Designed for a crew of 14, she would be delivered to her owner in early 1969. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT10-24-68, A-3) TPL-9223

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Madruga, Joseph--Family; Roses--Tacoma;

View of the tuna seiner "Conquest" prior to launching. A crew member peers over the bunting-decorated bow. Built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, the 165-foot fishing vessel was ready to be launched on October 23, 1968. She was powered by a 2800-horsepower diesel engine and had a frozen fish capacity of 650 tons. The "Conquest" would be delivered to her owner, Joseph Madruga, in early 1969. The ship's captain was Richard Madruga, Joseph Madruga's brother. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-24-68, A-3) TPL-9193

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A man in hard hat and checkered jacket is pictured gazing over the Milwaukee-Cowlitz Tree Farm on October 25, 1968. A large wooden sign states that the tree farm is "for the present" and "for the future." Old-growth stands and young trees fill the landscape. Photograph ordered by the Milwaukee Road for their annual report.

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Trees; Signs (Notices);

Smoke drifts from the new 500-foot stack at the Kaiser Aluminum plant on Tacoma's Tideflats in late October, 1968. Kaiser was undergoing a period of expansion that would see a new aluminum rod mill open for production in December of 1968. Hylebos Waterway is adjacent to the plant on left side of photograph. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers.

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Aerial views;

Kaiser Aluminum plant aerials. Kaiser Aluminum, located at 3400 Taylor Way in the Tideflats, had resumed production in 1964 after being closed for six years. They were still expanding in 1968 when the above aerial photograph was taken. Hylebos Waterway and Northeast Tacoma in background. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers. TPL-4741

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Aerial views; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

Closer aerial view of Kaiser's Tacoma plant located at 3400 Taylor Way in the industrial Tideflats. Taken on October 30, 1968, photograph emphasizes the height of what is believed to be the 500-foot stack recently constructed. Hylebos Waterway in background. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers. TPL-6580

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Aerial views; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

Interior of new aluminum rod mill at Kaiser Aluminum, 3400 Taylor Way, on November 1, 1968. This view is of one-half of Potline #4 and a cart loaded with "channels" which were lowered by crane into a slot just inside the ore hoppers visible on top of each "pot" or reduction cell. The new rod mill was nearly completed and ready for operation.The first rod would be formed in a test run on December 12, 1968. Molten aluminum would be processed into 3/8-inch rods at Tacoma's local mill and then shipped to San Leandro, California, for drawing into electrical wiring. Kaiser had reopened its Tacoma facilities in 1964 after a six-year closure and had steadily expanded since then. It was to permanently close in 2002. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers. (TNT 12-13-68, C-18) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;

New aluminum rod mill under construction. Construction progresses on the new Kaiser Aluminum's rod mill on 3400 Taylor Way in early November, 1968. Covers have now been placed on the two small dome-containers. It is possible that these containers would hold the molten aluminum that would be used to manufacture the 3/8th-inch rods. Earlier photograph taken on October 18, D154922, Image 4, shows them uncovered. The mill would form its first rod in a test run on December 12, 1968. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers. (TNT 12-13-68, C-18)

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Grange, Redmond. The one-story building appears to be located on a field of gravel in Redmond. It is part of the National Grange, the nation's oldest national agricultural organization formed in the years following the Civil War. This is possibly Happy Valley #322, organized in 1909 by E.M. Smith, incorporated in 1930. Photograph ordered by the R.G. Williams Co.

Farmers' groups--Redmond;

Interior of Redmond Grange. View of unoccupied Grange hall taken in November of 1968. The stage at the far end of the room is decorated with a flowered bower and white picket fence. Folding chairs are lined up against the walls of the hall. A piano is set in one corner of the room. Several podiums are scattered among the chairs. This is possibly Happy Valley #322 in Redmond which was organized in 1909. In the past, people needed to be farmers in order to join the organization but the Grange now accepts people of all occupations. Membership tended to be concentrated in small towns and rural areas but Washington also has Granges in larger urban areas. Photograph ordered by R.G. Williams Co. (www.wa-grange.org)

Farmers' groups--Redmond; Pianos; Folding chairs;

Two men are boarding the small craft "Mary Ann" as a third man yanks a cable on the newly launched "Trap Servicing" vessel built for Tacoma City Light for use when completed at Mossyrock Dam. The workboat was successfully launched at the Port of Tacoma's Industrial Yard on November 13, 1968. Photograph ordered by Star Marine Industries.

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Star Marine Industries (Tacoma);

A small "Trap Servicing" boat built for use at Tacoma City Light's Mossyrock Dam is successfully launched on November 13, 1968. Two men appear to be disconnecting the cables from the large crane that had carefully lowered the workboat into the Port Industrial Waterway. The 36-foot craft was built for $61,400 wtih Peterson Boatbuilding Co. as prime contractor and with Star Marine Industries subcontracting the hull. Photograph ordered by Star Marine Industries. (TNT 11-14-68, C-8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery; Star Marine Industries (Tacoma);

A different kind of launching than what is usually photographed occurred at the "Trap Servicing" boat launching held at the Port of Tacoma's industrial yard. Instead of immense fishing boats or Navy gunboats, this launching featured a small 36-foot workboat built for use at Tacoma City Light's Mossyrock Dam. A large crane steadily lowers the vessel on November 13, 1968. Peterson Boatbuilding Co. was the prime contractor of the $61,400 craft; Star Marine Industries subcontracted the hull. Photograph ordered by Star Marine Industries. (TNT 11-14-68, C--8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery; Star Marine Industries (Tacoma);

Close-up of Star Iron & Steel Co. machinery, possibly a shovel, taken on November 15, 1968, at the company plant in Tacoma's Tideflats. Star Iron & Steel was a well-known local manufacturer of hoisting machinery. It had been in Tacoma since 1918 and had moved to its new location in the Port Industrial area in 1963. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Launching party. Clutching the traditional bouquet of long stem red roses is Mary (Mrs. John) Silveira who was the sponsor of the tuna seiner, "Cheryl Marie," which was launched at 7:45 a.m. on December 7, 1968. Next to her is Mary (Mrs. Joe) Silveira who was her attendant. Both women are warmly dressed against the winter cold in knee-length coats with fur trim. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. TPL-9219

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Silveira, John--Family; Silveira, Mary; Silveira, Joe--Family; Roses--Tacoma;

The tug Brynn Foss assists in the launching of the tuna seiner, "Cheryl Marie," in the early morning of December 7, 1968. The 176-foot fishing boat was one of three being built at Tacoma Boatbuilding with the U.S. Maritime Commission paying 48% of the cost under the Fishing Fleet Improvement Act of 1964. Each vessel would cost $1.8 million. The "Cheryl Marie" was owned and captained by John Silveira. She would be turned over to Captain Silveira in February of 1969. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 11-24-68, B-19) TPL-9218

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Cheryl Marie launching party. The 176-foot tuna seiner, "Cheryl Marie," was launched on December 7, 1968, at 7:45 a.m., at the Port Industrial Yard. Standing beside the vessel are the Silveira family and Father Gerard Morin. L-R: Cheryl Silveira, Gary Silveira, Father Gerald Morin, Denise Marie Silveira, ship's sponsor Mary (Mrs. John) Silveira, Skipper/owner John Silveira, John Silveira, Jr., sponsor's attendant Mary (Mrs. Joe) Silveira, Mrs. Joe Silveira, Sr., and Joe Silveira, Sr. The "Cheryl Marie" was one of three federally subsidized fishing boats being built at Tacoma Boatbuilding. Each boat cost $1.8 million. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 11-24-68, B-19, TNT 12-7-68, p. 3) TPL-9446

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Silveira, John; Silveira, John--Family; Morin, Gerald; Silveira, Joe; Silveira, Joe--Family;

Launching. Champagne sprays across the bow of the "Kerri M" as she is christened on December 14, 1968, at the Port Industrial Yard. 10-year-old Kerri Medina, daughter of captain/owner Harold Medina, did the honors. The $1.8 million dollar fishing boat was scheduled for delivery to her San Diego owner early in 1969. The "Kerri M" was the last of a series of three federally subsidized tuna seiners built by Tacoma Boatbuilding. The U.S. Maritime Commission paid 48% of the cost under the Fishing Fleet Improvement Act of 1964. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-15-68, C-23) TPL-9221

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Medina, Kerri;

Launching. Proudly standing before the ship bearing her name, 10-year-old Kerri Medina cradles a bouquet of long stem red roses and a wrapped bottle of champagne. Kerri would be the fishing boat's sponsor and would christen the vessel's bow with the champagne. Standing next to Kerri is her sister, Judy; she probably acted as the sponsor's attendant. Kerri's father, Harold Medina of San Diego, was the ship's captain/owner. The 176-foot tuna seiner cost $1.8 million; nearly half of the cost was paid by the federal government under the Fishing Fleet Improvement Act of 1964. (TNT 12-15-68, C-23) TPL-9222

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Medina, Kerri; Roses--Tacoma;

Launching. One week after her sister-ship the "Cheryl Marie" slid down the ways at the Port Industrial Yard, the "Kerri M" was successfully launched at 11:30 a.m. on December 14, 1968. She was the last of a series of three federally subsidized tuna seiners built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, each costing $1.8 million. The 176-foot fishing boat was scheduled for delivery early in 1969 to owner Harold Medina of San Diego. The vessel was named after the 10-year-old daughter of the captain/owner. (TNT 12-15-68, C-23) TPL-9220

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching sponsor. Miss Tacoma of 1969, Terri Louise Bale, raises her wrapped bottle of champagne prior to christening the Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp.'s new tugboat, the "Betsy L," on Saturday, December 21, 1968. The tugboat was built for Knappton Towing Co. of Portland. Miss Bale, age 19 and a Tacoma Community College freshman, was crowned Miss Tacoma on November 30, 1968 at the Fellowship Hall. A self-taught pianist, she won the talent contest. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Bale. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 12-1-68, p. 1, TNT 12-2-68, p. 6, TNT 12-22-68, C-19)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bale, Terri Louise; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Terri Louise Bale, wearing her crown as Miss Tacoma, closes her eyes against the spray of champagne as she christens the new Martinolich built tugboat, the "Betsy L," on December 21, 1968 at Martinolich Shipbuilding's Taylor Way shipyard. The tug was built for Knappton Towing Company of Portland, Oregon. Miss Bale was crowned Miss Tacoma for 1969 by the Tacoma Jaycees in November, 1968. (Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp.) (TNT 12-22-68, p. C-19)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Bale, Terri Louise; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Weyerhaeuser Co. sales managers from all over the nation met for their "Big W Homecoming" using both the Winthrop Hotel and the University of Puget Sound in the early part of February, 1969. George H. Weyerhaeuser, president and chief executive officer, points out the large "W" on a men's jacket. The nearly 100 managers from the wood products group were in Tacoma for a three-day conference where they would discuss sales objectives, marketing strategies and recap 1968, the best sales year in the history of the wood products group. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co. (TNT 2-2-69, B-8)

Weyerhaeuser, George H.; Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Scenes from the steel industry. By 1969, Star Iron & Steel had been in their Port Industrial location for six years. The larger facility at 326 Alexander Ave. made it possible for the company to increase payroll and accept more jobs. One of the projects in February of 1969 was to build winch components for Everett Alumina Crane. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Scenes from Star Iron & Steel. Star Iron & Steel was one of the northwest's oldest steel fabricating firms. It was well known for the quality of its cranes, especially the heavy duty cranes manufactured for the Navy during WWII. In February of 1969, one of its projects was to manufacture winch components for the Everett Alumina Crane. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Weyerhaeuser Co. executives concluded the three day meeting in 1969 of sales managers from across the country with a banquet believed to have been held at the Winthrop Hotel. Signs promoting the "Big W Home Coming" were prominently displayed throughout the room. Nearly 100 sales managers had gathered to celebrate the solid year of sales from the wood products group. (TNT 2-2-69, B-8)

Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Banquets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

Scenes from the steel industry. Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma was in the process of manufacturing winch components for Everett Alumina Crane in the early part of February, 1969. Work was being done primarily in building 532. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Scenes from the steel industry. View of crane work at Star Iron & Steel Co. Star Iron & Steel was one of the northwest's oldest fabricating companies. In February of 1969, the company was involved in manufacturing winch components for the Everett Alumina Crane. This crane may have been eventually used by the Port of Everett to move alumina ore, one of the port's chief imports. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Exterior of new aluminum rod mill at Kaiser Aluminum. Kaiser gradually phased in their new aluminum rod mill with its first rod being formed in a test run in December, 1968. The completely automated mill would produce rod at a rate of 1,800 feet a minute. Kaiser would produce the first semi-fabricated aluminum product for Tacoma. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers, Inc. (TNT 12-8-68, A-7)

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;