One of the major problems facing America during the beginning of World War II was the training of skilled mechanics and engineers in large enough numbers to handle the flood of defense work. The Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. developed its own in-plant training program for helpers who showed aptitude for their work. By April of 1943, the program had been in place and growing for one year. 225 instructors supervised over 1,000 trainees in seven crafts. Here welding instructor Ed Moe checks the work of Alfred Warren. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. 1 No. 7, Pg.4-5, May 8, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Welding; World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Moe, Ed; Warren, Alfred;

On December 7, 1943, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. was awarded the prestigious "E" Award for excellence in production. In this photo, an unidentified man was making a speech from a flag festooned platform loaded with various shipyard dignitaries and Naval officers. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. XII, pg. 3; December 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Awards;

In February of 1943, three unidentified young female employees at the Sea-Tac Shipyard in Tacoma sat on a counter during a break while they shared the newest, and possibly the first, edition of the Sea-Tac Keel. The "Keel" was the in-house publication of the Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. It helped keep the over 28,000 defense workers who worked at Tacoma's mammoth shipbuilding yard both informed and entertained.

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

In 1943, the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard was running 24 hours a day, busy with defense work. Lee Gundstrom was employed on the swing shift. He had come to the shipyard as a pipe-fitter when the swing shift began late in 1940. The main job his crew performed was a military secret that even the Keel wouldn't divulge. Tacoma native Lee and his wife Sue lived at 5017 No. Vassault. His hobby away from work was taking care of his Victory Garden. (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; Gundstrom, Lee;

Thousands of workers at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. were present late in April of 1943 when the plant was presented with the Treasury T flag. The banner was presented to defense companies when 90 % of their employees contributed 10% of their salaries toward the purchase of war bonds. The highlight of the day shift ceremony was the appearance of the Shipyard band (in crowd, 1/3 of the way from the podium) under the direction of Joe Rausch. (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;

In April of 1943, the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma yard, received the Treasury T flag when 90 % of their employees pledged 10% of their wages to the purchase of war bonds. Eighteen Sea-Tac employees helped make an additional one week long bond drive a success. They each purchased a $1,000 bond or more, contributing to the sale of $125,000 in bonds over the regular deductions. Two members of the "Roll of Honor" were Elmer Kaufman, left, and Louis Rossi. The 1942 City Directory lists Mr. Rossi as a shipfitter who resided at 913 So. 16th St. (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; Kaufman, Elmer; Rossi, Louis;

Governor Arthur Langlie has turned to engage in conversation with the Earl of Athlone during their procession at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on May 4, 1943. The 69-year-old Governor-General of Canada and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, were met in Seattle by Governor Langlie and his wife. They went with them to the Bremerton Navy Yard and then hosted a luncheon at the executive mansion in Olympia. Before arriving at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards, the touring party stopped at Fort Lewis for a demonstration of training units with mechanized equipment. Seated in the rear seat of the vehicle are, left to right, O.A. Tucker, General Manager of Sea-Tac, the Earl and Capt. J.L. McGuigan, USN. (T.Times 5-4-43, p. 3, 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, at microphone, seems to have the rivited attention of shipyard workers, if not all of his touring party, at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. The Earl and his wife, HRH Princess Alice, were present to view the escort aircraft carriers being built at the shipyards. Princess Alice, in dark suit and hat, stands a few feet away from her husband; she was the daughter of Leopold Saxe-Coburg, Duke of Albany, and granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain (background, looking away from the royal pair) and Governor Arthur Langlie were also part of the touring group. (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; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Alexander, Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada and husband of HRH Princess Alice, speaks with workers at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Washington State Trooper Olson is at rear. Women were taking an active role in nontraditional employment as thousands worked in the aircraft and shipbuilding industries during WWII. Dressed in hard hat, suspenders and pants, a female employee of Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards smiles as she listens to the Earl. ALBUM 3.

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

On May 4, 1943, the Earl of Athlone and his wife, Princess Alice, visited the escort airplane carrier U.S.S. Pybus which was under construction at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding yard in Tacoma. Before she boarded the ship, Princess Alice was presented an orchid corsage by welders Crystal Fender and Gladys Price, and burner Frances Miller (order in photo unknown). The Earl of Athlone was Governor-General of Canada and an uncle of King George VI. Princess Alice was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and Honorary Commandant of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. Mrs. Harold Swan, wife of the British Consul in Seattle and Vera Grenfell, the Princess' Lady in Waiting, look on. (T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

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

Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain stands casually with hands in pocket as he listens to the conversation between HRH Princess Alice and Capt. J.L. McGuigan at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. Mayor Cain had met the Princess and her husband, the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of Canada, in Olympia and escorted the royal group to the shipyards. Capt. McGuigan was the supervisor of shipbuilding and the official escort on the actual shipyard tour. (T. Times 5-5-43, p. 1) ALBUM 3.

Visits of state--Tacoma; Nobility--England; HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; McGuigan, J.L.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Looking a little bewildered, but none the less pleased, new Poppa Carl Murray, first shift electrician at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. in June of 1943, was covered with pert, beribboned packages containing all those cute little things that new babies need. Cluing in the novice Dad are office force employees (in no particular order) Irene Flemish, Meletta Reed, Juanita Huston and Edith Askew. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. II, pg. 8; July 24, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Murray, Carl; Fathers; Gifts; Flemish, Irene; Reed, Meletta; Huston, Juanita; Askew, Edith;

Lois Tusler was chosen by her fellow employees in the Blueprint Dept. to be their candidate for "All Yard Queen" at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard picnic in August of 1943 at Sutherland's Resort, Five Mile Lake. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg.6; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Tusler, Lois;

Peggy Sparks was the choice of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard 2nd shift Shipwrights to wear the crown of "All Yard Queen." The winner would be crowned at the August 1943 company picnic. Miss Sparks posed for a photograph during her workday. Her employment badge, with photo, was attached to her lapel. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. III, pg.6; August 7, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Sparks, Peggy;

Workers at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards came from all walks of life and at least two of them had "checkered" careers. Kenneth (Mighty Mite) Grover, seated left, and Jesse (Bonaparte) Hanson, seated right, would be playing one another Lincoln's birthday, February 12, 1944, for the Pacific Coast Checker Championship. Kenneth Grover, employed at Sea-Tac as an electrician, was a U.S. crossboard checker champion, who played as high as 60 opponents at one time or six blindfolded. A published authority on checkers, he was the runner-up in the previous year's US checker championship. Jesse Hanson, who was a graveyard worker in the labor section at Sea-Tac, was the current Pacific Coast champion and had played in Europe, Mexico, Guatemala and every state in the Union. The three observers are not identified. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. III, No. 2, pg. 7; January 19, 1944 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Grover, Kenneth; Hanson, Jesse; Checkers;

Seaman Basil D. Izzi, left, is photographed with Lt. Robert Mallett during a visit to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on August 25, 1943. Seaman Izzi, who had survived a record 83 days on a life raft, spoke at the shipyards and helped present Suggestion Awards. The awards were presented to those employees who made suggestions that cut down production time or improved the quality of workmanship. Seaman Izzi, while serving as a gunner on a United Nations merchant ship that was torpedoed, went overboard and clung to wreckage before sighting and swimming to the life raft. He and four other sailors subsided on the raft, with provisions for only 16 days, by eating fish and birds that they caught and drinking rainwater captured on a canvas. They spent Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day on the raft. Only three of the sailors survived. By the time they were rescued, Izzi had dropped over 65 pounds. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. V, pg. 3; September 4, 1943 issue; TNT 8/26/1943, pg. 1)

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

Nancy Linebaugh was typical of the many "war widows" employed at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards during August of 1943. Her husband Haden was attending Marine officers' school and rather than sitting at home, she was doing her bit to help the war effort by working in the accounting department at the shipyards. The couple had met at Rainier National Park, where she was employed and he was a Park Ranger. The couple had a three year old son, Haden Jr. Mrs. Linebaugh played the piano and favored popular music. (Sea-Tac Keel, Vol. II, No. V, pg. 8; September 4, 1943 issue)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Linebaugh, Nancy; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick P. Dravis and their daughter Virginia attended the 39th launching at the Tacoma yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation on May 6, 1943. "The Keeweenaw," a US airplane carrier, was being launched. Mr. Dravis was the owner of Dravis Engineering & Machine Works of Tacoma. He was a naval architect and marine engineer. While holding for a radio broadcast of the ceremony to begin, the vessel slipped down the ways, launching itself five minutes early. (TNT 5/7/1943, pg. 1)

Dravis, Frederick P.--Family; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. workers line up to purchase War Bonds during the Second War Loan Drive, 4/12- 5/1/1943. In addition to long term investment in bonds (the Payroll Savings Plan), specific short term campaigns were also held. There were eight bond drives altogether during World War II. The War Finance Committees, responsible for the sale of bonds, sold a total of 185.7 Billion in securities during WWII, a feat that has never been equalled. By the end of the war, 8 out of every 13 Americans had invested in war bonds.

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

Hard hatted workers line up at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. to purchase war bonds during the Second War Loan Drive held 4/12-5/1/1943. By the end of the drive, Americans had purchased 18.5 billion in war bonds, 5 billion over the 13 billion goal. This proceeds from this drive alone equalled over 90 % of the amount raised by the combined drives of World War I.

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