The "Mary S." was joining a big fleet of Manuel Sousa and Associates fishing boats in San Diego, California. Manuel Sousa was visiting his native land, Portugal, therefore he was not able to attend the launching; L. L. Livesly, partner and managing owner, represented the company. View of the recently launched J. M. Martinac tuna clipper, the "Mary S." (T.N.T., 4/15/49, p. 29). TPL-8995

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The rear of the hull of the USS Endurance (AMS 435) as they prepare for launching at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The Endurance was the first of four 171 foot minesweepers constructed by Martinac for the Navy. Martinac was also the first firm on the Pacific coast to be designated by the Navy as a "qualified laminator." The frames for the minesweepers were laminated in their branch office on Baker dock and then barged up City waterway to the plant for placement in the new boats. (TNT 2-10-1952, pg. B-6, T. Reporter 8/11/1952, pg 2)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

J. M. Martinac was founded in 1924, they had a large site where they had ship building operations, marine repair shop and a marine railway. They built fishing boats and work boats. Their advertisements said "A Martinac-Built boat is your guarantee of complete satisfaction". View of "Oregon", a 55 foot tuna clipper. TPL-8921

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching the "Historic" at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. The new tuna clipper was built for Oliver Verissimo and Assoc. of San Diego. She was powered by a 615-hp Enterprise diesel, two 150-hp GM diesels, 120-kw auxiliaries and she had refrigeration capacity of 240 tons. She could carry a crew of 15 and she was a sister ship to "Mona Lisa" and "Royal Pacific". A fourth sister ship was on the way. (TNT, 7/8/1951; Marine Digest 7/14/1951) TPL-9050

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

This covered steel barge was launched on January 25, 1941 at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., 1501 Railroad Ave. It was ordered by the Navy and was fabricated by Birchfield Boilers. The barge was 110 feet long and 34 feet wide. It was the second ship to be delivered to the Navy in 1941. [T Times, 1/27/1941, pg. 12].

Barges--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Waterfronts; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Launching of the USS Endurance (AMS 435) at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, the largest wooden-hulled vessel to be built in Tacoma since WWI. Martinac had a contract to build four 171 foot minesweepers and was also the first firm on the Pacific coast to be designated by the Navy as a "qualified laminator." When completed in early spring, the ship would represent an expenditure of approximately $3,500,000. The total Navy contract was worth 8 million dollars, a large portion of the 20 million in Navy contracts held by Tacoma boat building firms. (TNT 2-10-1952, pg. B-6, T. Reporter 7/8/1952, pg. 8, T. Reporter 8/11/1952, pg. 2)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching of the USS Endurance (AMS 435) at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, sponsored by Gerry Ann Borovich. Gerry Ann, the 16 year old daughter of Fred Borovich vice president-treasurer of Martinac, holds the ceremonial flower bouquet. The vessel was the first of her size to be launched in a Northwest yard under the Navy's minesweeper program. The firm was constructing four 171 foot minesweepers. (T. Reporter, 8/11/1952, pg. 2)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Borovich, Gerry Ann;

J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation just finished building another Tacoma built fishing boat. The beautiful tuna clipper "Mary S." was built for Captain Manuel Sousa and Associates of San Diego, California. "Mary S." is 109 feet long and has a 600 horsepower engine, the vessel cost $300,000. View of "Mary S."; Martinac boat building plant in background (T.N.T., 4/15/49, p. 29). TPL-8993

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The "Mary S" slid down the ways at Martinac Shipbuilding on April 14, 1949. The , launching of the 109-foot tuna clipper drew the attendance of L. L. Livesly, partner and managing owner of Manuel Sousa and Associates of San Diego, California. Mrs. Joe Martinac Jr. and Mrs. L. L. Livesly were the launching sponsors for the "Mary S." (T.N.T., 4/15/49, p. 29). TPL-8994

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The launching of the USS Pledge, MSO 492, at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The minesweeper was the ninth of its class to be launched. M.S. Erdahl, Port Commissioner, was the Master of Ceremonies. Mrs. Theodore Ultsch did the christening assisted by Miss Janet Bruder, as the flower girl. The featured speaker was Rear Admiral Smoot, commander of the mineforce of the US Pacific Fleet. The launching was held in conjunction with the commissioning of the USS Conquest, Hull #488. (TNT 7/21/1955, pg. D-10

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

This photograph from January 1941 shows a newly completed 110 ft. by 34 ft. covered steel barge being launched at the J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. yards. Built by the Birchfield Boiler Company, the barge was the second ship to be finished for the United States Navy in Tacoma in 1941. The J. M. Martinac shipbuilding facilities have been part of the Tacoma waterfront since 1924. They are the Thea Foss Waterway's oldest continuous tenant. [T. Times, 1/27/1941, pg. 12].

Barges--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Waterfronts; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Launching the "Historic" at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. Sponsored by Mrs. Carl Silva, wife of the engineer-to-be and part owner, the new tuna clipper was built for Oliver Verissimo and Assoc. of San Diego TPL-9049

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);