In April of 1943, the Treasury T flag was presented to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma yard. It would wave at the entrance of the plant, right below the American flag, proving that the employees were true patriots. The flag was awarded to defense companies where 90 % of the employees invested at least 10% of their salaries in war bonds. Displaying the flag shortly after its presentation are Karl Richards, standing left, state war savings director, and George F. Kachlein, Jr., assistant general manger, kneeling left, to workers Harold Morgan, Cliff Dodson and Al Elgner. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1, No.7; May 8, 1943, pg. 2)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); War bonds & funds; Awards; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Kachlein, George; Morgan, Harold; Dodson, Cliff; Elgner, Al;

Karl Richards, left, state war savings staff director, congratulates Bert O'Hiser, center, for his purchase of a $1,000 war savings bond and commends his support of the men in the armed services. Assistant general manager of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma yard, George F. Kachlein, Jr. observes from right. Mr. Richards was at the Sea-Tac Shipyard to present the employees with a Treasury T flag in late April of 1943. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1, No.7; May 8, 1943, pg.2)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); War bonds & funds; Awards; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; O'Hiser, Bert; Kachlein, George;

In late April of 1943, George F Kachlein Jr., left, accepted the Treasury T flag for the workers of the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. from Karl Richards. He solemnly promised to keep the flag flying high. The flag was given by the Treasury department to recognize defense companies where 90 % of employees contributed 10% of their salaries to the purchase of war bonds. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. 1 No. 7; May 8, 1943, pg. 2)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); War bonds & funds; Awards; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Kachlein, George;

Motorcade led by 1923 Lincoln Touring automobile containing Governor Arthur Langlie and the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General and Commander in Chief of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, with Army and Naval Officers at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. The Earl, with his wife in another vehicle, was touring the shipyards in order to see the escort aircraft carriers being built. He was Alexander, the 1st Earl of Athlone, and brother of Queen Mary. A graduate of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, the Earl had seen action in the South African War and the First World War. He changed his surname from Teck to Cambridge in 1917, the year his title, 1st Earl of Athlone, was created. (T.Times 5-4-43, p. 6, T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, shown speaking at Sea-Tac Shipyards to the trainees in the training department on May 4, 1943. The Princess, Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain, standing slightly behind her, and Sea-Tac assistant General Manager George F. Kachlein Jr. look on. Formerly Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of South Africa, the Earl had extensive military experience in both the South African War and First World War. He had attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and was an officer in the 7th Queen's Own Hussars, the Royal Horse Guards, and the 2nd Life Guards. The Earl and his wife toured the shipyard and were given a personal inspection of the U.S.S. Pybus, #29. (T. Times, 5-4-43, p. 3, T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1 No. 7, pg. 3; May 8, 1943 issue) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, the Princess, and other dignitaries look at a scale model of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard on May 4, 1943. Standing next to the Earl is believed to be Capt. J.L. McGuigan, USN, supervisor of shipbuilding and the official escort of the royal tour. The Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard was instrumental in building several escort aircraft carriers for use during the war. (T. Times, 5-4-43, p. 3, T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Building models; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

In his official capacity as Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, Alexander, the Earl of Athlone inspected American war operations at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on May 4, 1943. The Earl and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, were accompanied by Mayor Harry P. Cain and Governor Arthur Langlie, among others, on the tour of the shipyard. He had spent the day earlier at the Bremerton Navy Yard and at Fort Lewis. Here the Earl and his wife are shown mixing with workmen at the shipyard; Mayor Cain is spotted in the background. (T. Times 5-4-43, p. 3, T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Governor General of Canada and his wife, Princess Alice, visited the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. yard on the Tacoma tideflats in May of 1943. While inspecting the construction area, the Princess brushed up against some fresh paint. Arthur McKee, safety inspector on swing shift at the Shipyard, removed the wet yellow paint from Princess Alice's hemline. The Princess thought that he was a versatile man and thanked him for his kindness. Alice and her husband, the Earl of Athlone, had toured the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard, the Bremerton Navy Yard, and Fort Lewis to examine American war operations. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; McKee, Arthur; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Vera Grenfell, Lady in Waiting to Princess Alice, with women workers after receiving a gardenia corsage at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. Marie Folk, tool room clerk, Palma Rogers and Lynn Peterson, shipfitter's helpers, presented the flowers. Miss Grenfell accompanied HRH Princess Alice and her husband, Alexander, Earl of Athlone, on a visit to the shipyards where the royal pair toured escort aircraft carriers being constructed. (T. Times, 5-5-43, p. 1; Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1 No.7, pg 3, May 8, 1943 issue) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Grenfell, Vera; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Earl of Athlone and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, visited the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on May 4, 1943, to view construction of escort aircraft carriers. On the dock, they paused to speak to August Wiechman, whirley hose guard. They complimented him on his children, two sons who were lieutenant-colonels in the army, a daughter who was an army nurse and five other children in defense work. The Earl, as Canada's Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief, was very active in supporting the war effort by continuously inspecting troops, training schools and military hospitals. His wife also was quite involved as she was honorary commandant of several military units. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.1 No. 7, pg. 3; May 8, 1943 issue) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; Alexander, Earl of Athlone; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Wiechman, August;

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;

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. This aerial photograph was taken at night as a test with new infra red film. In the brightly lighted area, work was going on 24 hours a day on warships contracted by the military, now heavily involved in World War II. (WSHS)

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

E.E. "Ernie" Southwell, veteran shipwright leadman, had a lot of reasons to smile. He had the unusual distinction of being on the construction crews that built the yard in Tacoma in both World War I and II. On the front of his coveralls is his employment badge with his photograph and his employee number, 775. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. 1 No. 7, Pg 8, May 8, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Southwell, Ernie;

Shirley Phillips, who worked second shift in the Tool Room, was entered in the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Yard Queen contest in July of 1943. The crowning of the queen would be one of the events at the August 8th picnic sponsored by the yard's Athletic Club. The picnic would be held at Sutherland's resort at Five Mile Lake. Other picnic events included softball, tug of war, races and horseshoes, followed by entertainment and dancing. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 7; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Phillips, Shirley;

In July of 1943, an unidentified female employee at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. had one of the new white stars added to her helmet. In the star was a numeral representing how many relatives she had in the armed services. Relatives could be a husband, wife, mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandson or granddaughter. In the event that a relative was either killed in service or missing in action, a gold star would be added to the helmet. Workers were reminded each day of the personal reasons they had to give 100% in their defense work.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Helmets; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

In July of 1943, the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. had a brand new $14,000 fire truck, the latest in fire fighting equipment. But even this fine new truck couldn't fly over obstacles on the way to fight a fire. A series of pictures showing what NOT to do in fire prevention highlighted an article on this topic in the company newspaper, the Keel. This photo served as a reminder to keep passages clear. A fire could get out of control in the time that it took to remove obstacles. Fire, according to the Keel, was "Home Front Enemy #1." (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol.II No.II, Pg 3 July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--1940-1950; Fire prevention;

Dorothy, Lady Halifax, wearing an enormous orchid corsage, is photographed speaking to U.S. Naval officers on July 22, 1943. Lord and Lady Halifax were taking an extensive tour of the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards to view escort aircraft carriers under construction. Lord Halifax was the British ambassador to the United States. His main purpose on the short one-day visit to Tacoma was to accept an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from the College of Puget Sound; however, he also wanted to tour the shipyards. Lady Halifax was the former Dorothy Evelyn Augusta Onslow before she married Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 3rd Viscount Halifax, and later Earl of Halifax. (TNT 7-22-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Halifax, Dorothy Evelyn Augusta Onslow Wood; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

British ambassador to the United States, Lord Halifax, strides alongside U.S. Naval officers onto the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on July 22, 1943. The Governor-General of Canada and its Commander-in-Chief, the Earl of Athlone, had previously paid a visit to the shipyards only two months before the ambassador's tour. ALBUM 3

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States and Lady Halifax are greeted by U.S. Naval Officers and others at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Accompanying the couple was Lt. Richard Wood, their son, seated in his wheelchair near the automobile. Lt. Wood, later Baron Holderness of Bishop Wilton, had earlier lost both legs in North African desert fighting. Lord Halifax's main purpose in visiting Tacoma was to accept an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from the College of Puget Sound but he also chose to tour the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards to see escort carriers being built. ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Wood, Richard Frederick; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lt. Richard Wood, third and youngest son of Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, and others in open automobile at Sea-Tac Shipyards. Lord and Lady Halifax, their son, and entourage had paid a visit to the shipyards to inspect escort aircraft carriers in stages of construction. Lt. Wood is seated in the passenger's front; soldier in rear is a Sgt. Hall, his orderly and fellow North African campaign veteran. Lt. Wood was able to tour the shipyards seated in an aluminum-like wheelchair. Both of his legs were amputated above the knee due to war injuries. Later, after adjusting to artificial legs, he returned to the United States to encourage other wounded servicemen. Remaining an advocate for the disabled war-wounded, he spent 29 years as a Member of Parliament, Tory party, before retiring in 1979 and assuming the title of Baron Holderness of Bishop Wilton. (The Guardian, 8-17-02) ALBUM 3.

Wood, Richard Frederick; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Lt. Richard Wood accompanied his parents, Lord and Lady Halifax, when they visited the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on July 22, 1943 during their visit to Tacoma. Lord Halifax (at left) was the British Ambassador to the United States. Lt. Wood, shaking the hand of 19 year old Al Sturtevant, lost both his legs at the Battle of El Alamein in Egypt, where his older brother was killed. He had enlisted as a private in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry before enrolling in Sandhurst and being commissioned in the King's Royal Rifle Corp. After loosing his legs, he toured the United States to counsel and encourage other wounded veterans. He went on to serve 29 years in the House of Commons, and was named Baron Holderness of Bishop Wilton in 1979. Always a champion of the war-disabled, he died August 11, 2002 at the age of 81. Shipyard employee Al Sturtevant had also been wounded in the North Africa campaign. He had a medical discharge due to a hip injury received in action. (The Guardian, 8-17-02; Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, August 7, 1943 issue). ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of; Halifax, Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st earl of--Family; Wood, Richard Frederick; Nobility--England; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Sturtevant, Al;

Bright eyed, curly topped Irene Flemish was selected by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard 1st shift electricians to be their candidate for 1943 "All Yard Queen." She posed for the Richards photographer with her name neatly monogrammed on her collar above her employment badge. The Queen would be crowned at the August company picnic. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg.6; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Flemish, Irene;

As a shipyard worker during World War II, superior attendance at work was part of your patriotic duty. As the "Sea-Tac Keel's" Civilian War Creed stated "Wasting precious working hours is sinful in war time." Rigger Outfitting Foreman Art Bagley, pictured, had only lost 1 1/2 days in the 3 and one half years he had worked at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard. Preferring to be in the great outdoors, before coming to Sea-Tac Mr. Bagley had worked as a logger, longshoreman and pile driver. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg. 8; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Bagley, Art;

The laborers seem dwarfed by this large piece of machinery used to puncture steel plates at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard. Used in Steel Shed A on July 27, 1943, it was being operated by (in no particular order) Fred Wright, John Bickel, Bert Kissick, Lars Heen and Robert Lawson, 2nd shift shipfitters. Lawrence A. "Bert" Kissick is the employee at far left. Men and women came to Tacoma from all over the country to train in the specialized field of wartime shipbuilding. TPL-653 (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg. 4; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Kissick, Lawrence A.; Wright, Fred; Bickel, John; Heen, Lars; Lawson, Robert;

In July of 1943, pipefitters C.V. Beggan, Joe LaPlant and J.B. Kindell were photographed putting the finishing touches on a difficult pipe job at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. People came to Tacoma from all over the country to fill well-paying defense jobs, where they could also help in the war effort. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg. 4; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Seaman Basil D. Izzi shakes hands with an unidentified female employee during the sailor's visit August 25, 1943 to the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. Seaman Izzi had survived for a record 83 days on a 8x9 foot life raft adrift in the South Atlantic. In the upper left background is the "Battle of the Sexes" attendance record. In an effort to reduce absenteeism, the shipyard had turned an attendance contest into a battle of the sexes, men vs. women. The thermometer charts below show on a daily basis which group has better attendance. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. V, pg. 3; September 4, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Izzi, Basil;

In August of 1943, Thomas Nelson had been working at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards for almost a year. He worked on the second shift labor gang at Shop A. Not married, Mr. Nelson lived and shared expenses with another bachelor employee and did his own cooking and canning. He had a victory garden, where he spent most of his time away from work. He had, at one time, been in charge of the kitchen at a swanky summer resort at Blowing Rock, N. Carolina, in the Blue-Ridge Mountains. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. V, pg. 8; September 4, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Nelson, Thomas;

This photograph of workers at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard on Tacoma's tideflats was used as the September 4, 1943 cover for the Labor Day issue of the shipyard newspaper, the Keel. It showed men and women celebrating the holiday by working. "Sea-Tac marching to war. A war of production." More than in any war before or since, defense workers during World War II saw themselves as directly contributing to the war effort and affecting its outcome. TPL-795 (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. V, cover; September 4, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

Portrait of group of men, most wearing hardhats, in front of Building 33, probably at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Fire Department, Engine Company No. 1. (WSHS)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma;

Fire Department, Engine Company No. 1. Portrait of large group of men and women in front of Building 33, probably at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. (WSHS)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma;