The Hortensia-Bertin sits in the ways building at Tacoma Boat Building ready for launching into Commencement Bay. The large tuna clipper was designed by Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, and measured 103' x 24'10". O.E. Bertin would be her captain. She would have outstanding communication capabilities with radiophone and code instruments, a Northern Radio sending set and a National receiver. She was capable of carrying a crew of 20 and 185 tons of fish at 10 knots. Her home port was to be Tegucigalpa, Honduras. (TNT, 1/5/1950, p.21; Pacific Fisherman, April 1950, p.26; Pacific Fisherman, October 1950, p.12) TPL-9024

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Dignitaries pose during the launching of the Hortensia-Bertin at Tacoma Boat Building. She would contain the most modern of navigational and communication equipment with radiophone and code instruments, Northern Radio sending set and National receiver. She would also be equiped with a 181 h.p. Chrysler-powered Western "Fairliner' bait-tender which was also equipped with a radiotelephone. The two gentlemen on the left are Haldor Dahl and Arne Strom, owners of Tacoma Boat. Mrs. Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, California, is third from the right holding long-stemmed roses. She was the wife of the boat's architect and sponsor of at the launching. Ordered by C.F.A. Mann. (TNT, 1/5/1950, p.21; Pacific Fisherman, April 1950, p.26; Pacific Fisherman October 1950, p.12) TPL-9025

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Dahl, Haldor; Strom, Arne;

Tacoma's sixth major fire of 1951 occurred in the early morning hours of August 24th when Tacoma Boat Building Company at 2142 East D st. was nearly destroyed. The construction yard of five connecting buildings was engulfed in flames; only the outfitting dock was saved. Damages were estimated in the one million dollar range. The company's office building suffered minor damage and valuable company records were safe. Twelve land companies and the city fireboat fought the blaze throughout the night and smoke was still rising from the boatworks' ruins several hours later. Only one boat was lost in the fire; the partially completed hull of a tuna fishing boat can be seen in the center of the photograph. A General Motors truck is parked close to the blackened structures; perhaps it will be used to haul away some of the rubble. (TNT 8-24-51, p.1)

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This tuna fishing boat, being bult at the Tacoma Boat Building Company facility at 2142 East D St. was over 60% complete when a fire on August 24, 1951 reduced it to a charred hulk. Several hours after the massive one million dollar blaze, smoke still billows from the ruined boat. The company's boatworks area was completely demolished; this fishing boat, however, was the only vessel damaged. Photograph ordered by Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco. TPL-9053

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960;

View of damaged machinery at Tacoma Boat Building's massive fire of August 24, 1951. The entire construction yard consisting of five connected buildings was leveled in the multi-alarm fire which occurred in the early morning hours of August 24th. Damages were estimated at one million dollars, part of which is probably covered by insurance. Photograph commissioned by the Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco. (TNT 8-24-51, p. 1)

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Smoke rises from the blackened ruins of the Tacoma Boat Building Company's boatworks area on August 24, 1951. It was the city's sixth major fire of the year. Damages were estimated at one million dollars by Fire Chief Charles Eisenbacher. All five connecting buildings in the construction yard were consumed by flames. Twelve land companies and the city fireboat helped to finally extinguish the fire. Photograph commissioned by Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco. (TNT 8-24-51, p. 1) TPL-9120;

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Clean up goes slowly in the aftermath of the massive Tacoma Boat Building Company boatworks fire of August 24, 1951. Several days after the early morning blaze, photographs of the interior of buildings showed blackened and crumbling fish wells and main engine tanks. No injuries were reported in Tacoma's sixth major fire of the year. Photograph commissioned by Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco. (TNT 8-24-51, p. 1) TPL-9054

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Men survey the massive fire damage to the Tacoma Boat Building Company's boatworks on August 24, 1951. Twelve land companies and the city's fireboat were called to battle the extensive blaze; however, due to the large amounts of dry materials present, the firemen were unable to save the construction yard of five connecting buildings. Damages were estimated by Fire Chief Charles Eisenbacher at approximately one million dollars. It was Tacoma's sixth major fire of 1951. Owners Haldor Dahl and Arne Strom shortly after announced plans for a new plant on Sitcum Waterway to replace the City Waterway installation; the main building would be 244 feet by 300 feet plus an additional large machine shop and spacious office building. (TNT 8-24-51, p. 1, TNT 10-7-51, B-2) TPL-9119

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior view of switchboard in the "Scarlet Queen" tuna clipper, the control and distribution panels are custom made to fit the needs of each individual ship. The switchboards are compact, the "Scarlet Queen" has multiple units including an A.C. unit. Tacoma Boat's electrical division works with their customers to provide the most efficient switchboards (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8964

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Switchboards--Tacoma; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Scarlet Queen built by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company was the largest tuna clipper built in the world, at least 25 feet larger than any other tuna clipper. The "Scarlet Queen" would be fishing for tuna in the Pacific Ocean, it had recently gone on its trial run in Tacoma's Commencement Bay. This vessel was owned by Arne Strom, co-owner of Tacoma Boatbuilding Company and Cecil Drake of San Diego, California (T. Times, 6/14/48, p. 1). TPL-8962

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Paintings; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Interior view of "Scarlet Queen's" navigator's quarters, separate from the steering room. The navigator's quarters was a miniature communications center, through which the vessel maintains frequent checks on its position and contact with other vessels and shore stations (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8969

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Navigation; Compasses; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Scarlet Queen was originally a military vessel, ATR-69, a World War II rescue tug. It was converted into the largest tuna clipper in the world by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company. View of a Gyro compass, radar unit, and loran; these highly technical and advanced instruments are located in the navigation and engine room. (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8965

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Navigation; Compasses; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

View of "Scarlet Queen's" galley, modern oil-fired galley range, stainless steel trim, dual temp, refrigerator, tiles drain board, wood finished cupboards, large table with bench seating and magnesite floors. The kitchen also features a double sink with cold, hot and salt water, water cooler, radio and inter-com (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8966

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Galleys (Ship kitchens); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The 165 foot "Scarlet Queen" would have a fishing crew of eighteen men, Tony Dutra was the ship's skipper. Interior view of the skipper's quarters, this room has beautiful hardwood built in features, including, drawers and storage compartments. The skipper's quarters has a deluxe bunk, reading lamp, window and pull out desk(Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8967

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Crew quarters; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beds; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The 165 foot "Scarlet Queen" would have a fishing crew of eighteen men, Tony Dutra was the ship's skipper. Interior view of the crew's quarters, six mahogany trimmed bunks with inner spring mattresses, individual lockers and reading lamps and benches. The room is bright, airy and easy to keep clean (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8968

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Crew quarters; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beds; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Interior view of shaft alley in the "Scarlet Queen" tuna clipper, this is a typical shaft alley produced by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company. The tuna clipper's shaft alley is the distribution center for bait water, brine circulation and refrigeration control. The electric cables, steering controls and propulsion shafting all passes through the shaft alley (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog 1954). TPL-8963

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Control rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

View of sand blasting and re-painting of boat "Eileen", work is being done by Machinists Incorporated, a repair shop from Seattle, Washington, the job is being done at Tacoma Boat Building facilities. The workman is painting the side of the boat, he is using a paint sprayer and wearing a face mask. The boat is expected to be completed in a few days, photo ordered by Machinists Inc. TPL-8956

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats & boating; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Sand blast; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Machinists, Inc. (Seattle);

Machinists Incorporated was a Seattle based business, owned by Thomas J. Barley and Ralph H. LaBossier, located at 751 Michigan Street in Seattle, Washington. View of sand blasting on boat "Eileen", the fishing boat will be re-painted and refurbished at Tacoma Boat Building facilities in Tacoma. "Eileen" will be a new modernized faster speed engine and will have the power of a new 1948 boat, photo ordered by Machinists Inc. TPL-8955

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats & boating; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Sand blast; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Machinists, Inc. (Seattle);

Tacoma Boat was a long time builder of fishing boats, government vessels, UNRRA boats and pleasure boats. They were the exclusive manufactures of the "Northern Line" winches. View of main boat engine, Tacoma Boat is able to utilize this compact space making this equipment easy to access for servicing and maintenance. TPL-8923

Engine rooms--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat engines; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

West Coast Grocery Company had just moved into their new headquarters in Tacoma. This building included, food storage warehouses, offices and subsidiary companies all on one site. The $400,000 building was 640 feet long, 240 feet wide and over 135,000 square feet of space, all on one floor. Aerial view of West Coast Grocery Company.

West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Aerial photographs; Progress photographs; Storehouses--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Southern Queen, a 100 foot, steel, sardine and tuna purse seiner, was built and launched by Tacoma Boat. Mrs. Gilbert Van Camp, of the well known Van Camp canneries christened the vessel. Hundreds of guests from California, Oregon and Washington attended the celebration. View of Mrs. Van Camp, her attendants and many other well wishers standing in front of the "Southern Queen" (T. Times, 2/12/47, p. 5). TPL-8918

Van Camp, Gilbert--Family; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

This aerial view of the "head of the bay" (the south end of the Foss Waterway) shows the Tacoma Boat Building Company and the Reliance Lumber company (to the right) as they appeared in March of 1947. The Northern Pacific Railroad roundhouse can be seen at 2211 East D Street, just above Tacoma Boat. Tacoma Boat were the exclusive designers and manufacturers of "Northern Dragger" winches, "North" purse seine winches, "Northern" anchor winches and "Northern" purse seine and dandelion blocks. They built wood and steel trollers, purse seiners and tuna clippers. (T. Times, 2/26/47, p. 9-B).

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad roundhouses--Tacoma; Aerial photographs;

Tacoma Boat's launching of "Southern Queen", a 100 foot, steel, tuna and sardine purse seiner, built for A. T. Anderson of Seattle and Joe Villicich of San Pedro, California. Side view of "Southern Queen", Tacoma Kenworth Motor Truck Corp., LLoyd Suiter Tire Co., O'Cinelli Co. and Columbia Breweries in background (T. Times, 2/12/47, p. 5). TPL-8919

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat continued to build and repair fishing boats for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, UNRRA, program. These boats were then sent to war torn countries such as China and Yugoslavia to help them restructure their fishing industries. View of UNRRA boats, "Fiorello H. LaGuardia", "Connecticut" and "West Point". TPL-8917

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Harbors--Tacoma; Piers & Wharves--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Taken for Tacoma Boat Building Company. A view of the water and waterfront adjacent to the Tacoma Boat Building Company along City Waterway. Some plant material or other substance is floating on the water. TPL-6535

Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Taken for Tacoma Boat Building Company. This shot shows the waterfront adjacent to the Tacoma Boat Building facility. Debris is caught in the water and it looks cloudy. At this time Tacoma Boat is working on a contract for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration for nine 85 foot combination purse seiner drag boats, five steel and four wood. (T.Times, 8/21/1946, p.5) TPL-6534

Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat Building. A view of the water and waterfront immediately adjacent to the Tacoma Boat Building Company facility along City Waterway. TPL-6536

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Waterfronts;