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;

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;

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;

On April 17, 1941, the 205th Coast Artillery anti-aircraft unit participated in "war games" at the industrial waterfront of Tacoma. The unit was defending the industrial lands, particularly the shipyards, from attack by airplane. Here, soldiers set up a large anti-aircraft cannon in a grove of trees located across the highway from Rayonier, Inc. (T. Times 4/18/1941, pg. 1)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); 205th Coast Artillery (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training;

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;

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;

At 10 am on Thursday, October 23, 1941, 500 welders at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation walked out in sympathy with their striking Seattle brothers. Lake Washington workers had been locked out after joining an unaffiliated welders union; the conclusion to a 20 year fight with the American Federation of Labor for the right to form their own union. Welders were currently scattered among eight unions and were required to pay dues to two or more unions at the same time. By October 28th, picketers had effectively brought the shipyard to a standstill as welders and sympathizers refused to cross the picket lines. The Tacoma shipyard held 100 million in unfinished defense contracts. This photograph from October 28th demonstrates the peaceful, but loud, picketing. A truck has been halted by picketers at the shipyard entrance. The loud speakers at the left belonged to the welders, the ones to the right (over the truck) belonged to the AFL Metal Trades Council. A constant war of words had been raging for several days. (T. Times 10/23/1941, pg.1; 10/29/41, pg. 1 il)

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

Welder's Society Group at Sea-Tac Shipyard. Many people by large wooden building. (filed with Argentum)

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;

First Aid class at Sea-Tac Shipyard. Many people lined up outside wooden building. (filed with Argentum)

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

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;