Governor Arthur B. Langlie (center) watches his wife Evelyn christen the ship Cape Fairweather, launch #4 for the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation on April 11, 1941. A bottle of champagne shatters against the boat's bow. The motorship Cape Fairweather was the fourth of the C-1 freighters built at the shipyards. The vessel went into the water nearly ready for trial trips. Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards was busy working on new ways and a new outfitting dock. The yard would be building 300' gasoline tankers for the Navy and keels for C-3 freighters. The Cape Fairweather remained in service until 1980, when it was scrapped. ALBUM 10. (TNT 4-11-41, p. 1)
Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Evelyn; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Mrs. C.E. Taylor, wife of commander C.E. Taylor, ordnance officer 13th Naval district, was photographed holding the traditional spray of roses presented to a ship's sponsor. Mrs. Taylor was acting as the sponsor for the USS Sunset. The escort carrier was launched July 15, 1943 at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle- Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. The vessel was later transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned as the HMS Thane. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org)
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Photographed next to the USS Sunset during its July 15, 1943 launching are O.A. Tucker, General Manager of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., and the ship's sponsor Mrs. C.E. Taylor. Mrs. Taylor, well dressed in white gloves and picture hat, holds the traditional spray of roses. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org)
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
With a determined look on her face, Mrs. C.E. Taylor takes a firm grip on the champagne bottle and breaks it against the new escort carrier, christening her the USS Sunset. The ship was launched July 15, 1943 at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. The vessel did not retain her original moniker however, as she was transferred in November of 1943 to the Royal Navy and commissioned as HMS Thane. The ship operated in the North Atlantic until she was torpedoed by a German U-boat in January of 1945. She was dismantled for scrap in 1946. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org)
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taylor, C.E.--Family;
On July 15, 1943, the USS Sunset (CVE 48) slid down the ways at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., the 43rd ship to be launched at the Tacoma yard. Although launched, the escort carrier was never commissioned in the US Navy. Instead, it was transferred on lend-lease to the British Royal Navy in November of 1943, where it was commissioned as the HMS Thane. The vessel operated as a ferry and convoy transport escort in the North Atlantic until it was torpedoed by a German U-boat January 15, 1945. The ship survived but was deemed unrepairable and was scrapped in 1946. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org) TPL-9655
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Mrs. C.E. Taylor, holding roses, poses with a group of unidentified women during the July 15, 1943 launching of the USS Sunset. Mrs. Taylor was acting as sponsor for the vessel, which was launched at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. Standing in front of Mrs. Taylor is a child believed to be her daughter. Mrs. Taylor was the wife of Commander C.E. Taylor, ordnance officer 13th Naval District. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org; names of those in sponsor's party listed in article TNT 7/16/1943, pg. 7)
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
On July 15, 1943, a variety of hard-hatted workers, men in business suits and uniformed military men watched the USS Sunset slide down the ways at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard. The vessel would later be transferred to the Royal Navy who would rename her the HMS Thane. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 6, July 24, 1943 issue; wikipedia.org)
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Mrs. C.E. Taylor, sponsor for the July 15, 1943 launching of the USS Sunset, poses with a group of unidentified women and military men at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. Mrs. Taylor holds the traditional spray of roses and has one arm resting on the shoulder of her young daughter, who is attired in a replica of an overseas campaign hat. The women are probably the wives of the military officers and shipyard officials. Commander C.E. Taylor is standing second from left. (TNT 7/16/1943, pg. 7- names of sponsor's party in article)
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Mrs. C.E. Taylor smiles up at O.A. Tucker, general manager of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., while standing arm in arm with her husband Commander C.E. Taylor. Mrs. Taylor holds a spray of roses while Commander Taylor holds a beribboned bottle of champagne. Mrs. Taylor will be using the champagne to christen the escort carrier USS Sunset prior to her July 15, 1943 launching. The Sunset is the 43th ship to be christened at the Tacoma yard. (TNT 7/16/1943, pg. 7)
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Mold Loft employees at the Sea-Tac Shipbuilding Co. Angus McCauley, foreman. The Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. opened in 1939 on the Tideflats at the site of the old Todd Shipyards. The company grew as America prepared for and entered the second World War. Shipbuilding became Tacoma's primary wartime industry.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Riggers Sea.-Tac. Shipbuilding Co. George Verge- Rigging Boss.The Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. opened in 1939 on the Tideflats at the site of the old Todd Shipyards. The company grew as America prepared for and entered the second World War. Shipbuilding became Tacoma's primary wartime industry.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Electricians, Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., Carl Brusberg- Foreman, July 10, 1940. A group of workers in hard hats poses in front of one of the buildings at the shipyard. Lettering over one door reads "electricians" or "electrical." One of the two men is suits is possibly foreman Brusberg. As war loomed, STSC became one of Tacoma's largest employers. TPL-2348
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brusberg, Carl;
On March 17, 1941, William F. Porter (center), a member of the Boilermakers' union employed at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard, bought five tickets from Donna Mae Jaden for a fund raising concert being given in Tacoma. The "On to Spokane" concert was being given to raise money to send Tacoma school musicians to the National Music Educators conference being held in Spokane at the end of the month. Oscar Williams (left) was chairman of the Young Men's Business Club committee sponsoring the concert. Donna Jaden, a member of the Stadium H.S. Girl's Glee Club, became the movie actress Janis Paige. (T. Times 3/19/1941 p.13)
Actresses; Paige, Janis; Jaden, Donna Mae; Porter, William F.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Williams, Oscar;
This birds eye progress shot was taken on August 20, 1940 of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co.'s hull #3, the MC 121. Hull #3 would be launched November 29, 1940 as the Cape Cleare. It was one of five 415 foot merchant motorships. The shipyard would cash in on the coming war effort and be awarded many military contracts. The yard was soon running shifts around the clock. TPL-1855
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Progress picture of Hull #3, MC #121, at Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. The company was hard at work on five identical 415 foot cargo ships. Hull #3 would be launched November 29, 1940 as the Cape Cleare. The ship builders were also receiving military contracts and would soon be running operations around the clock.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Progress picture of Hull #3 at Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. The merchant motorship would be launched on November 29, 1940 as the Cape Cleare. It was one of five identical cargo ships being built under contract by the company. TPL-1856
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
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;
Progress photograph of Hull #3 at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. The vessel was launched near the end of November of 1940 as the Cape Cleare. It was part of the shipyard's first contract for five 415 foot cargo ships. TPL-1852
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;
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co.; the first and third launches of the company are docked in the photograph. Cape Alava is in the foreground and Cape Cleare in the rear. The shipyard opened in 1939 at the site of the old Todd Shipyards, just in time to receive several lucrative wartime contracts. Todd Shipyards, of which the Seattle-Tacoma yard is a subsidiary, would soon be the biggest maritime company in the nation. STSC had over $200,000,000 in orders in January of 1941 and was planning the construction of four new yards.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Top officers of the Cape Alava and Cape Flattery. Hard hatted workers at the Seattle Tacoma shipyards leave the dock where finish work continues on the Cape Alava and Cape Flattery. The two merchant ships were the first two commissioned with the shipyard. (T. Times)
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;
Launching of the Cape Alva at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. on August 1, 1940. Cape Alva of Tacoma was the name given to the first vessel launched at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. The ship was the largest Tacoma-built vessel since World War I and was the first of 5 merchant ships. She was built in near record time and launched four months after the keel was laid. The 416-foot motorship was named for the promontory of land which lies 20 miles south of Cape Flattery on the Washington seacoast. It is the site of the Ozette Indian Reservation. (T. Times 7/18/1940, pg. 1) TPL-8801
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Launch #2 at the Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., the launching of the Cape Flattery. The 416 foot motorship was launched on September 28, 1940. The ultra modern merchant vessel was more than half finished at the time of its launching. Already in place were the two 2200 horsepower diesel engines and the all steel deck houses, designed to house 43 seamen and 8 passengers. The cost of the vessel tipped the scale at $2,127,000. (T. Times 9/27/1940, pg. 1)
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Employees of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. pose proudly prior to the launch of their second vessel, the Cape Flattery. The Cape Flattery was the second of five contracted vessels. It was named after the location of the most northwestern United States lighthouse, where the Puget Sound joins the sea. Workers were understandably proud, the vessel was built in record time.
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Launch of Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. Hull #3, the Cape Cleare. The launch was held November 29, 1940 and was not open to the public. The Cape Cleare was the 3rd of a quintet of 415 foot merchant motorships contracted by the U.S. Maritime Commission. All five would be identical cargo vessels with room for eight passengers plus a crew of 40, built at a cost of $2, 125,00 each. The ultra modern vessels were welded steel throughout. The keel for third vessel was laid August 7th and it was scheduled for completion late in February. The Cape Cleare was named after a prominent headland in Alaska. Mrs. William E. Boeing was the sponsor. TPL-1851 (T. Times 11/12/1940, pg. 1)
Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;
