View of the Grand Rapids' stern taken on March 3, 1970. Tacoma Boatbuilding was nearing an end to the 12-boat contract with the Navy to build aluminum gunboats for the US Navy. The Grand Rapids would be launched on April 4, 1970, with then-House Minority Leader and future President Gerald R. Ford and family in attendance. The Grand Rapids, the second ship of that name in the Navy, was named for the city in Michigan, the hometown of Gerald Ford. She would be commissioned five months later in September, 1970, and decommissioned in 1977. (www.navsource.org/archives; Marine Digest, April 11, 1970) Photograph ordered by US Steel.

Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

This is the newly constructed office building at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. The company built a three million dollar facility on Marine View Dr. in 1969 to replace its Sitcum Waterway plant which was completely destroyed by fire in August of 1968. One of its near neighbors was Western Boat Building who had permanently moved to a seven-acre site on the Hylebos after its longtime plant on 11th St. was gutted by fire in October of 1965. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Office buildings--Tacoma--1960-1970;

House Minority Leader and future President Gerald R. Ford with daughter Susan, age 12, and wife Betty attend launching of Navy gunboat "USS Grand Rapids" at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. The ship was named for Ford's hometown in Michigan. Susan christened the PG-98 with a bottle of champagne. Standing next to Susan is believed to be Mrs. Walter Norblad of Slayton, Oregon. She was the widow of the former Oregon congressman and Susan's godmother. ALBUM 1. (TNT 4-5-70, A-1article )

Ford, Gerald R.--Family; Ford, Gerald R.; Ford, Betty; Ford, Susan; Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Susan Ford, age 12, daughter of House Minority Leader and future President Gerald Ford, with flowers and bunting-wrapped champagne bottle with which she will christen the Navy gunboat "USS Grand Rapids" at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. on April 4, 1970. She is wearing a bright red and white dotted dress under a white wool coat. Susan is the youngest of the Ford's four children and the only daughter. (Color image) ALBUM 1. (TNT 4-5-70, A-1)

Ford, Susan; Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Roses--Tacoma;

Post-launching. The "Grand Rapids" rests alongside Tacoma Boatbuilding's Marine View Dr. facilities after a successful launching on April 4, 1970. The gunboat was named for the hometown of House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford; Mr. Ford and his family were in attendance at the launching ceremonies. The PG 98 would be commissioned on September 5, 1970. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding.

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. View of Tacoma Boatbuilding plant on the Hylebos Waterway on November 11, 1972, when the fishing boat "Sea Royal" was launched. The "Sea Royal" was another of the large 225-foot class of tuna seiners produced by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. TPL-9758

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The "Sea Royal." The "Sea Royal," which was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities on the Hylebos Waterway, was capable of traveling better than 15 knots. It could hold a crew of 17. The large 225-foot tuna seiner was built for Capt. Manuel Andrade of San Diego, president of Vivian Ann Fisheries Corporation. His daughter Denise was the ship's sponsor. Sea trials would be conducted in December and delivery to the ship's owner anticipated before January 1, 1973. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 11-7-72, p. 24 -article; TNT 11-12-72, B-6)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. A look by air at the shipyard believed to be Tacoma Boatbuilding, located at 1840 Marine View Dr. N.E., overlooking the Hylebos Waterway. Built on a spacious 20-acre site in 1969, the shipyard was able to expand production of extra-large fishing boats as well as complete government contracts. Tacoma Boatbuilding had decided to move operations to this Hylebos Waterway location after fire had destroyed their plant on the Sitcum Waterway in 1968.

Aerial views; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Logs; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

The 181-foot tuna seiner, "Jilor," was successfully launched on February 8, 1975, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. She was the first of three steel hulled fishing boats destined for Senegal. The launching attracted several dignitaries including the ambassador to the United States from Senegal, Andre Coulbary and wife Saffia, and Congressman Floyd Hicks. The "Jilor" had a 22-man crew and could hold 800 tons of frozen fish. Photograph ordered by the United States Information Agency, Washington D.C. TPL-9885

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Wearing traditional Senegalese clothing were Andre Coulbary and his wife Saffia as they pose in front of the newly launched fishing vessel, "Jilor," on February 8, 1975. Mr. Coulbary was the ambassador to the United States from Senegal who flew in from Washington D.C. for launching ceremonies at Tacoma Boatbuilding. The 181-foot fishing vessel was the first of three tuna seiners destined for Senegal at a total price tag of $12 million dollars. The steel hulled seiner was believed to be the first major American built fishing boat to be delivered new to a country outside the Americas. Named after a small fishing village southwest of Dakar, she could carry a crew of 22 and had a 14-tank, 800-ton frozen fish capacity. Traveling at a top speed of 15 knots, the "Jilor" would set sail for Senegal in the spring. A crowd of about 500 people braved the slight snow/sleet to watch the launching. The two men flanking the ambassador and his wife were not identified. (TNT 2-6-75, A-3 -article; TNT 2-9-75, D-6 -article) TPL-9475

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coulbary, Andre; Coulbary, Saffia; Ambassadors--Senegal;

Launching. The "Denise Marie," giant 225-foot steel tuna seiner, slipped gracefully down the ways into Hylebos Waterway on Saturday evening, June 5, 1971. She was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding and had a frozen tuna capacity of about 1,400 tons. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 6-6-71, A-12 - article) TPL-9533

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching. Mrs. Joseph Silveira of San Diego, sister-in-law of the captain, was the sponsor of the new tuna seiner, the "Denise Marie," which was successfully launched on June 5, 1971. Built by Tacoma Boatbuilding and powered by a General Electric locomotive type diesel, the big 225-foot fishing boat would have a frozen fish capacity of nearly 1,400 tons. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (Marine Digest, June 5, 1971, p. 34) TPL-9534

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Silveira, Joseph--Family;

Launching. The "M/V Atlantis" was successfully launched on Saturday evening, August 12, 1972, at Tacoma Boatbuilding. The ship, with a 41-foot beam, was owned by M/V Atlantis Corporation of California. She had a frozen fish capacity of 1500 tons. Captaining the ship will be Arthur Ferreira whose wife served as the ship's sponsor; this would be the third Tacoma Boatbuilding vessel that Captain Ferreira has owned jointly with Edmund Gann. The $3,000,000 fishing boat would leave to San Diego in mid-December after completion of four sea trials. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 8-14-72, p. 27 -article; TNT 12-15-72, B-7 -article on ship trials)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

1973 Richards stock footage. Aerial view of shipyard believed to be Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. taken on a clear February day in 1973. Masses of logs float nearby until needed. The shipyard faces the Hylebos Waterway and was moved there after Tacoma Boatbuilding's longtime plant on the Sitcum Waterway was destroyed by fire in 1968.

Aerial views; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Logs; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

Launching. This is the "Maia H" tugboat that was officially launched on Saturday, March 24, 1973, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. According to a News Tribune article, she was the first tug launched in Tacoma in many years. She had actually had an "instant dumping" two months ago. Maia Halvorsen, daughter of owner Boyer Halvorsen of Bainbridge Island, was the ship's sponsor. The "Maia H" will haul a fast freight barge between Seattle and Ketchikan, Alaska. (TNT 3-25-73, A-22)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Aerial view of new Tacoma Boatbuilding plant and log dumps on the Hylebos Waterway. The new facility would replace the longtime plant on the Sitcum Waterway which had been gutted by fire in 1968. The L-shaped structrure nearest to Marine View Dr. roadway is believed to hold the administrative and engineering offices. The largest building in this October 4, 1969, photograph is the aluminum fabricating plant, flanked by the steel fabricating building. The building nearest the water is the trades building which holds the equipment used by pipefitters and electricians. A 300-foot pier is being constructed next to 350-foot double ways. With 20 acres of land, the plant had plenty of room for further expansion if needed. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT full page ad 10-10-69, A-20; TNT 10-19-69, D-10)

Aerial views; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Logs; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Saturday, December 20, 1969, saw two major boat launchings in Tacoma. Mrs. W.F. Petrovic, wife of the commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, was the sponsor at the launching of the USS Benicia at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. She is standing with her family in pre-launching ceremonies. The 165-foot all-aluminum patrol gunboat was the first to be launched from one of the plant's 350-foot double ways. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petrovic, W.F.--Family;

Susan Ford, age 12, daughter of House Minority Leader and future President Gerald Ford, brandishes a bunting-wrapped champagne bottle with which she will christen the gunboat "USS Grand Rapids" at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. on April 4, 1970. A Navy officer holds a bouquet of roses which will be presented to the young sponsor. (Color image) ALBUM 1. (TNT 4-5-70, A-1)

Ford, Susan; Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Roses--Tacoma;

12-year-old Susan Ford, daughter of future President Gerald and Betty Ford, poses in front of PG-98, the USS Grand Rapids, which she christened on April 4, 1970. The gunboat was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. Susan was the ship's sponsor and is holding the traditional bouquet of long stemmed red roses. ALBUM 1. (TNT 4-5-70, A-1- article)

Ford, Susan; Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Roses--Tacoma;

Launching. The Tacoma Class Gunboat PG-100 (formerly PGM-100) was launched in ceremonies occurring at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. at 4:45 p.m. on June 19, 1970. She would be commissioned the "USS Douglas" in February of 1971. The gunboat had a displacement of 250-ton and was 165-feet in length. She had a speed of 40k and was equipped with two gun mounts and two twin .50-cal machine guns. Only 6 1/2 years after she was commissioned, she was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register. The "Douglas" was converted to a research vessel and renamed the R/V "Lauren." Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (www.navsource.org/achives; TNT 6-19-70, p. 7 - article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching party. Posed before the patron gunboat PG-100 (formerly PGM-100) are the dignitaries involved in the launching ceremony on June 19, 1970. Clutching the traditional bouquet of beribboned red roses is Mrs. Willard F. Searle, Jr., of Alexandria, Virginia, the ship's sponsor who had the honor of christening the ship with a bottle of champagne. The "USS Douglas" was named after the city of Douglas, Arizona. Also in the photograph is believed to be Rear Adm. W.F. Petrovic, commander of the Puget Sound Naval Station. The gunboat was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., the last in a series of 12 aluminum gunboats built for the US Navy by that firm. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (TNT 6-19-70, p. 7- article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Searle, Willard F.--Family; Roses--Tacoma;

Launching. The 225-foot tuna seiner, "A.K. Strom," was launched at 8:30 a.m. on March 20, 1971, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities with Mrs. Floyd Burgi as the ship's sponsor. The ship is named after Tacoma Boatbuilding founder Arne K. Strom and was the first vessel named for the Strom family. Built at a total cost of over $2,000,000, she was the first of four identical boats expected to be completed this year by the shipyard. The "A.K. Strom" was capable of carying 1,425 tons of frozen tuna. After extensive ship trials, the seiner arrived in San Diego over Memorial Day weekend. Captained by David Rico and a crew of 16, she would fish for Star-Kist Foods, Inc. while based in Puerto Rico. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (Marine Digest - June 5, 1971; TNT 3-21-71, B-3; TNT 3-19-71, A-5-article ) TPL-9531

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching party. The 258-foot tuna boat, "Apollo," was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities on the Hylebos Waterway on Saturday, October 24, 1970. She was the world's largest tuna clipper and the largest boat built by Tacoma Boatbuilding. The launching drew an interested crowd, including feature speaker, Congressman Floyd Hicks. Posed dockside are members of the launching party, with Mrs. Manuel Cintas, holding bouquet of red roses, as the ship's sponsor. Owners of the "Apollo" are Ocean Blazers, Inc. of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 10-23-70, p. 11- article; TNT 10-25-70, B-9)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Cintas, Manuel--Family; Roses--Tacoma;

Launching. The "Jacqueline Marie" was officially launched on Saturday, October 30, 1971, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. The tuna seiner, 225-feet in length and the fourth in the Strom class of ships, was christened by Mrs. Peter Giacalone, wife of the ship's captain. The ship bears her name. Following ship trials in mid-December, the "Jacqueline Marie" would be delivered to her owners, ETA Fishing Co., Inc. of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 10-31-71, B-1) TPL-9753

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

House Minority Leader and future President Gerald R. Ford, with daughter Susan, age 12, and wife, Betty, attend the launching of Navy gunboat "USS Grand Rapids" at the Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. on April 4, 1970. The ship was named for Mr. Ford's hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was the 11th of 12 Asheville class aluminum gunboats built for the Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. At the dedication Representative Ford spoke of the importance of a strong national defense. Susan received the honor of christening the boat with a bottle of champagne. ALBUM 1. (TNT 4-5-70, A-1 article)

Ford, Gerald R.; Ford, Gerald R.--Family; Ford, Betty; Ford, Susan; Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Champagne spurts as a new boat is officially christened in ceremonies held on April 4, 1970. House Minority Leader and future President Gerald R. Ford (rear) looks on as his young daughter Susan, age 12, christens Navy gunboat "USS Grand Rapids" at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. The ship was named for Mr. Ford's hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. ALBUM 1. (TNT 4-5-70, A-1 article)

Ford, Gerald R.; Visits of state--Tacoma; Ford, Susan; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Her face obscured by the standing microphone and a wooden beam, 12-year-old Susan Ford gamely smashes a bottle to christen a new Navy gunboat, the USS Grand Rapids. Susan's parents, House Minority Leader Gerald Ford and wife Betty, accompanied their daughter to the Tacoma Boatbuilding launching. The Grand Rapids is the 11th in the series of 12 gunboats built for the Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. ALBUM 1. (TNT 4-5-70, A-1- article)

Ford, Susan; Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

ca. 1972. Crane at Tacoma Boatbuilding preparing to lift 20,000 lb. weight. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding.

Hoisting machinery; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching party. Mary (Mrs. Arthur) Ferreira holds a bouquet of long stem red roses and cradles a bottle of champagne prior to the launching of the tuna seiner, "M/V Atlantis," on Saturday evening, August 12, 1972. She would have the honor of christening the new fishing boat. Standing alongside Mrs. Ferreira is her husband, the captain and participating owner of the "Atlantis," and another family member, possibly a daughter. The 237-foot boat tuna seiner was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding at a cost of $3,000,000. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 8-14-72, p. 27 -article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ferreira, Arthur--Family; Ferreira, Mary; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Participants in the official launching of the "Sea Royal" posed for a group portrait on November 11, 1972, with the large 225-foot tuna seiner looming behind them. The fishing boat, built for Vivian Ann Fisheries Corporation, was launched from Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities on the Hylebos Waterway. Denise Andrade, wearing a white fur hat and red coat, was the ship's sponsor. She is the daughter of Captain Manuel Andrade of San Diego, president of the owning firm. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 11-7-72, p. 24 -article; TNT 11-11-72, B-6 -article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Andrade, Denise;