Birchfield Boiler launching party. Birchfield Boiler was about to launch the third steel tuna clipper in a fleet of four on May 24, 1946. The steel tuna clipper was built for Al Davies. Left to right view of Mary K. Northstrom, sponsor of "Hull 38" and Margaret Casperson, matron of honor (T. Times, 5/29/46, p. 5). TPL-8904

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Northstrom, Mary K.; Casperson, Margaret;

Birchfield Boiler Incorporated, 2503 East 11th St., completed a 47 foot, all steel tuna hull for Alfred O. and Robert E. Erickson, local Tacoma fishermen, in July of 1948. Birchfield was in the process of expanding their shipbuilding and ship conversion department. After the hull was christened, the Erickson family celebrated on the desk of their new fishing boat. Birchfield Boiler's maintenance and electric shop can be seen in background.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishermen--Tacoma; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Erickson--Family;

Local Tacoma fishermen, Robert and Alfred Erickson, had a new 47 foot all steel tuna hull, built by Birchfield Boiler. Robert was married to Jean and lived at 3816 South Cushman Avenue; Alfred was married to Ragna and lived at 1221 Ridgewood Avenue. View of unidentified woman, possibly Jean or Ragna, christening the new tuna hull, Birchfield Boiler's plant and shops in background.

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishermen--Tacoma; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Erickson--Family;

Birchfield Boiler company were builders of all steel welded vessels of all types and designs. Birchfield fabricated the steel used in their ship building and also specialized in ship repairs and conversions. View of Birchfield Boiler built "Situk", a 48 foot by 16 foot by 28 inch power scow built for Libby McNeill and Libby.

Barges--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

Birchfield Boiler company were builders of the famous "Birchfield Boiler", they also specialized in building tanks, hot water heaters, pipes, stacks and various types of vessels. Birchfield Boiler, Inc. was located on 2503 East 11th Street in Tacoma's tideflats area; the plant was on the Port Industrial Waterway, now known as the Blair Waterway. View of Birchfield Boiler built "Situk", a 48 foot by 16 foot by 28 inch power scow built for Libby McNeill and Libby.

Barges--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

A view of the helm on "Libby No. 10" at Birchfield Boiler. The chain linking the helm with the rudder is clearly visible. Birchfield Boiler, Inc., delivered three new Libby boats to Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle. As of July 1951 the company built five of the steel seiners for Libby. The fishing boats were well equipped with Onan generators from the Fremont Electric Company, Seattle. They also had automatic controls and switchboards from Fremont. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960; Helms;

Libby No. 9, 10 and 11 are tied up, side-by-side, at Birchfield Boiler. Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle liked these seiners because they had better capacity and lower maintenance costs than other fishing boats. One of the outstanding features of a Birchfield-built boat was the fact that the inside of the cargo hold was completely smooth. The cork insulation was covered over and there was no place for the fish to bruise or for fish oils to accumulate. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, 7/28/1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A view of the galley aboard "Libby No. 10" built by Birchfield Boiler. This narrow galley provides the required equipment for the two officers and four crewmen while at sea. A sink and metal counter are shown on the left with a cook stove and refrigerated storage area on the right. A table with benches lining the walls of the boat is seen at the back. Ordered by Bob Dorrim.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Galleys (Ship kitchens)

Libby No. 10 is tied up to the dock at Birchfield Boiler next to another of the "Libby"s. The fishing boats were typical Alaska seiners with dimensions of 48 feet by 14 feet 6 inches, with a 5-foot draft. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, July 28, 1951)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A view of the starboard side of "Libby No. 10" at Birchfield Boiler. Birchfield Boiler built five seiners, a small steel power scow and a steel gillnetter for Libby over a period of several years. This seiner has a powerful seine winch at the back. The vessels would sleep six men - two officers and 4 crewmen. Ordered by Bob Dorrim. (Marine Digest, 7/28/195l)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;