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;

Three steel-hulled "Libby" seiners built by Birchfield Boiler Inc., 2503 East 11th Street, were photographed in May of 1950 as they sailed out of Tacoma for the fishing waters of Alaska. During 1950 and 1951 Birchfield built five boats for Libby, McNeil and Libby of Seattle. Behind the "Libby" fishing boats are three of the baby flat tops that were built in Tacoma and "mothballed" here after WWII. One of the outstanding features of the Birchfield-built boats was that the walls of the cargo holds were completely smooth, reducing bruising on the fish caught and held in the hold. The vessels contained four water-tight compartments and the holds were completely insulated with 3-inch of cork all around. The capacity of the vessels was approximately 23 tons. (Ordered by Birchfield Boiler.) (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;

The three Liberty boats constructed by Birchfield Boiler for Libby, McNeill and Libby of Seattle are underway in Commencement Bay. The seiners are dwarfed by baby flat tops constructed in Tacoma and "mothballed" in the harbor after World War II. Ordered by Birchfield Boiler.

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

The three Liberty boats, Libby No. 9, No. 10, and No.11, are underway in Commencement Bay heading for Alaska fishing grounds. The seiners were powered by Chrysler Royal marine engines with 3.16 to 1 reduction gears from the National Supply Engine Corporation, Seattle, complete with accessories and keel coolers. Ordered by Birchfield Boiler. (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;

A Tacoma policeman looks over his report on an accident involving a runaway convertible which occurred on Wednesday, July 26, 1950. The automobile was left with its motor still running. It jumped the curb and came to rest against a light pole at 9th and Commerce. A "No U Turn" sign is lying at the feet of interested spectators. The owner of the vehicle had left his car at the Roxy theater corner just below Broadway momentarily to pick up his children. (TNT 7-27-50, A-11; TPL-5873)

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On July 29, 1950, the Tacoma Naval Station was the scene of the recommissioning of the escort carrier U.S.S. Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86), twenty days after the orders came through to "take her out of mothballs". Captain H.B. Butterfield, representing the Commander Pacific Reserve Fleet, read the directive placing the ship in commission. Captain C.W. Lord accepted command of the ship from Captain Butterfield. The Sitkoh Bay, named for a small bay in southeastern Alaska, was originally commissioned in Astoria, Oregon, on March 28, 1944. The escort carrier participated in many engagements during World War II, including Palau, the Philippines, Okinawa, and Japan. The Sitkoh Bay transported a total of 2032 aircraft, 10,716 passengers and traveled 182,618 miles before being decommissioned at the end of the war. (TNT 7-30-50, p.1)

U.S.S. Sitkoh Bay; Aircraft carriers;

Washington Navigation Company's "Vashonia" ferry steaming through waters of Puget Sound. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company.

Ferries--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

Washington Navigation Company's "Vashonia" ferry near pilings of ferry landing in July of 1937. The landing is Point Defiance which serviced Gig Harbor and Tahlequah. Vashon Island with the Tahlequah landing is in the background. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Ferries--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor); Vashon Island (Wash.);

Washington Navigation Company's "Defiance" ferry pulling into Titlow ferry landing. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company.

Ferries--Tacoma; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

Washington Navigation Company's "Defiance" ferry pulling into Point Defiance landing where automobiles are waiting. This scene was photographed in July of 1937. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company. (Corrected information provided by a reader)

Ferries--Tacoma; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

Washington Navigation Company ferries. Automobiles waiting at the Point Defiance ferry landing in July of 1937. A ferry boat moored next to the landing bears the sign Fox Island - Gig Harbor. The slag pile of ASARCO is at the right middle and the entrance to Quartermaster harbor is near the top right. The slag pile created a breakwater for the Tacoma Yacht Club. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Ferries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

The Washington Navigation Company ferry " Vashonia" out of Gig Harbor is pictured approaching the Point Defiance ferry landing in July of 1937. The ferry to the right is the "Fox Island." Signs indicate that the cars and people on the pier are loading for Gig Harbor. The Washington Navigation Company, under the direction of president Mitchell Skansie, ran ferries between Tacoma and the Peninsula. It had recently come under criticism from commuters opposed to new ferry rates and changes to the schedule. The small building to the left of the pier has doors for the men's and ladies' restrooms facing out. A sign on the other side of the building indicates that it is "Louie's Lunch." Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company. TPL-9858 (T.Times 7-13-37, p. 7-article on ferry changes)

Ferries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

Automobiles loading onto ferry at Titlow ferry dock.

Ferries--Tacoma; Marine terminals--Tacoma;

Washington Navigation Company ferries. Two women work as galley crew preparing coffee and pancakes for travelers. Ordered by North Pacific Bank Note Company.

Ferries--Tacoma; Galleys (Ship kitchens); Cooks; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

In 1937, you could ride the steamer Virginia V, operated by the West Pass Transportation Company, twice a day from Tacoma to Seattle. It left the Tacoma Municipal Dock at 7:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m, and returned from Seattle at 1:10p.m. and 7:45 p.m. A round trip ticket sold for 60 cents. They also ran a Sunday excursion trip that left Tacoma at 3:30 p.m. and returned at 8:30 p.m. The Virginia V, built in 1922, was 120 ft. in length with a 24-foot beam and a capacity of 325 passengers. She operated between Tacoma and Seattle from 1922 to 1940 carrying passengers by way of the West Pass of Puget Sound. (T.Times 8/27/1937 p.5)

Ferries--1930-1940; West Pass Transportation Co. (Tacoma); Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940;

West Pass Transportation Company "Virginia V" ferry on Tacoma waterway.

Ferries--1930-1940; West Pass Transportation Co. (Tacoma); Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940;

Side view of "Virginia V" ferry on Tacoma waterway. Ferry owned by West Pass Transportation Company. Glimpse of Western Fibre Furniture Company building in background.

Ferries--1930-1940; West Pass Transportation Co. (Tacoma); Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940;

The "Carmelita the Second" underwent sea trials at the Old Town Dock on August 23, 1950. The 55-foot fishing boat is stationary; no visible sign of captain aboard. The dinghy has been hauled up and stored in the boat's stern. The boat was sold to Mexican interests for use in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fleet. Photograph commissioned by Birchfield Boiler, Inc.

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

This wrecked automobile sustained heavy damage in August, 1950. The top had been ripped open and caved in and the tires on the passenger's side are missing. It appears that impact to the vehicle may have been on the passenger's side as one of the doors is chained on and the frame is severely buckled. Photograph commissioned by Crippen & Flynn, attorneys.

Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crippen & Flynn (Tacoma);

Freight truck from the Inter-City Auto Freight carrying an Army tank on City scales on October 28, 1950. Man, possibly the truck driver, standing beside cab of truck parked in front of a two-story, stuccoed building. Ordered by Mr. McGaw, Inter-city Auto Freight.

Trucks--1950-1960; Tanks (Military science); Inter-City Auto Freight, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Woman holding bouquet of roses and champagne bottle. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Vessel leaving, framed by the shadows of building. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Three men and woman with bouquet and ceremonial champagne bottle. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Woman smashing champagne bottle on hull of ship. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Ship inside wooden building. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The "Golden Glow" fishing vessel built by Peterson Boat Building Company. Boat moving through water with crew aboard in February of 1951.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);