ca. 1908. Battleships in what is probably Commencement Bay - off Tacoma with the tree covered cliffs of Browns Point in the background.

Coast Artillery from Fort Worden were photographed landing from the Artillery cutter Chelan for tactical maneuvers at the Bremerton Navy Yards on March 23, 1936. The men are wearing heavy coats, ammunition belts, and helmets. The Navy Yard is in the background. (Bremerton Sun).

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Military personnel--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Men leaving work at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. Young newspaper carriers are attempting to sell newspapers to the shipyard workers as they pass through the gate. Brick buildings in background. The safety clock on the building reads 12 noon; the board also records the number of "lost time" accidents for the year and compares it to the previous year. Photograph ordered by the Bremerton Sun.

Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Boat & ship industry--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Men leaving work at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Buildings in the background include the Golden Hotel and drug stores. (Bremerton Sun).

Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Boat & ship industry--Bremerton--1930-1940; Golden Hotel (Bremerton);

On July 20, 1939, as part of Tacoma's Washington State Golden Jubilee celebration, six Navy dreadnoughts, the powerhouses of the Pacific Fleet, entered Commencement Bay at 8:30 in the morning and dropped anchor at the mouth of the Puyallup River. The ships and their 8,000 men and officers would be in Tacoma for the Jubilee celebration and depart on Monday, July 24th. The six battleships, the USS California, USS Pennsylvania, USS Arizona, USS New Mexico, USS Mississippi and the USS Idaho, were available for tours 1-4 p.m. through Sunday. They also provided searchlight shows in the evening and their crews took part in the water carnival races. On December 7, 1941, the California, the Pennsylvania and the Arizona were stationed at Pearl Harbor. The California and the Pennsylvania were damaged; the Arizona was destroyed, with the loss of 1,104 personnel. TPL-9081 (TNT 7/20/39, pg 1-article)

Perched high above the flight deck of the U.S.S. Lexington on the 8-inch guns of the forward turrets, these young women do not appear at all nervous during their visit to the aircraft carrier in December, 1929. The Navy did permit tours of the ship which was tied up at Baker Dock from mid-December, 1929, to mid-January, 1930, to provide power to the City of Tacoma. Schoolchildren and Boy Scouts were among those who visited the large ship. On December 23, 1929, Freda Gardener, of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, Ethel Haasarud, RKO cashier, and Naomi Dykeman, head usher, Fox Rialto, were present to promote the Chamber of Commerce's big dance for the Lexington's enlisted men to be held on December 26 at the Greenwich Coliseum. They would be the judges awarding prizes to the most handsome, most happy and best dancer present at the dance. TPL-1774 (T.Times, 12-23-29, p. 1)

L.M. Phillipotts, seaman second class, sights a five inch broadside gun from the deck of the New Mexico directly on City Hall during a gun drill July 22, 1927. The U.S.S. New Mexico, flagship of the Pacific Fleet, was in Tacoma's harbor until the first of August. The battleship was commissioned in May of 1918 and spent the first World War close to the U.S. In 1919, she steamed to Europe and escorted President Woodrow Wilson home from the Versailles peace conference. After playing a prominent role in World War II, she was decommissioned in 1946 and sold for scrap. (TNT 7/22/1927 p.1)

The whaleboat crew of the USS Salt Lake City posed, holding oars straight up, on October 27, 1936 before the starter's gun sent them to victory in the Navy Day boat race. The pictured crew finished a length and a half ahead of the crews from the USS Colorado and Texas, winning the Bremerton Sun trophy. (Bremerton Sun 10/28/1936, pg. 1)

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Boat racing; Rowboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowing races--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowers;

In honor of Navy Day, October 27, 1936, the crews of the USS Salt Lake City, Colorado and Texas competed in a whaleboat race in the waters of the Puget Sound at the Bremerton Naval Yard. The Salt Lake City finished a length and one half before its nearest competitor, clinching the Bremerton Sun trophy. (Bremerton Sun 10/28/1936, pg. 1).

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Boat racing; Rowboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowing races--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowers;

The United States fleet visiting Tacoma. View of two battleships in Commencement Bay from Northeast Tacoma looking toward the city. Ships seen in the distance over the druins of a wharf and log boom. (T. Times).

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

United States fleet visit to Tacoma. Four battleships in Commencement Bay near the Port of Tacoma. View is taken from Northeast Tacoma and shows Mount Rainier in the background. (T. Times).

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

United States fleet visits Tacoma. Four battleships in Commencement Bay near the Port of Tacoma. Mount Rainier is visible in the distance. (T. Times).

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

Fleet Week, July 5 through 11 1938, Tacoma. Four U.S. Navy Battleships in Commencement Bay, tideflats in background. Taken from a high bluff, framed by trees.

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

During Fleet Week, July 5 through 11, 1938, Tacoma played host to 5200 officers and men of the visiting battleships, the USS California, West Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland. In return, the Navy thrilled Tacoma with a military parade, boat races and nighttime searchlight displays. Pictured are five Navy battleships anchored in Commencement Bay.

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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);

Grainy December, 1929, photograph of the U.S.S. Lexington tied up at Baker Dock. After much discussion and negotiation, the U.S. Navy ordered the aircraft carrier to help the City of Tacoma by supplying auxiliary power. Severe drought conditions had rendered hydro plants inoperable and conservation methods employed were simply not enough to stave off a power crisis. The Lexington's monthlong stay would generate enough power for 25% of the city's needs. It allowed the city to turn on its streetlights, store lighting, and resume night shifts. (Tacoma Public Utilities Story: the First 100 Years: 1893-1993, p. 91-93)

U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; Power shortages--Tacoma;

Bremerton Navy yard in July of 1930.

Cranes at the Bremerton Navy Yard in July of 1930.

Bremerton Navy Yard in July of 1930.

Bremerton Navy Yard in July of 1930.

Utilities Commissioner Ira S. Davisson is flanked by Tacoma Mayor James G. Newbegin and U.S.S. Lexington commander, Capt. Frank D. Berrien, on December 16, 1929, as they happily examine hook-up plans that will allow the aircraft carrier to provide much needed power to Tacoma. Severe drought conditions caused Tacoma to take an unprecedented step in requesting the aid of the powerful ship in generating supplemental electricity. (T.Times, 12-16-29, p. 1)

Sailors clean deck of U.S.S. Lexington while three young ladies watch, December 23, 1929. Tied up at Baker Dock, the Lexington's mission was to supply Tacoma with auxiliary power during the city's electrical crisis. Chores still had to be completed, however, even when guests were present. Ethel Haasarud, Freda Gardner and Naomi Dykeman appear amused at the switch in roles. They were aboard promoting the big Chamber of Commerce dance for enlisted Lexington personnel on December 26th; the women would act as judges in awarding prizes to the sailors chosen as the most handsome, most happy and best dancer. TPL-1776 (T.Times, 12-23-29, p. 1, TDL 12-24-1929 p.3)

January 1930 would have started off as a very dark year in Tacoma without the assistance of the U.S.S. Lexington, pictured here encircled by mist at Baker Dock. She arrived in Tacoma about December 17, 1929, and remained to mid-January, 1930, to provide electricity to the City of Tacoma. A severe drought in 1929 had left dams without sufficient water. After much negotiation, the fourth largest ship afloat (at that time) was ordered by the Navy to aid Tacoma; it was the first time in history that a ship had provided power for a city. The U.S.S. Lexington, badly damaged in the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea by Japanese fire, would be sunk by the American destroyer, U.S.S. Phelps. TPL-006.

J.T. Swan, center, Bos'n First Class, introduces recruits D.R. Turk (left) and A.G. West to the art of knot tying. The trio were photographed aboard the battleship USS New Mexico on July 22, 1927. The New Mexico was in port in Tacoma until August 1st. Guests were invited to view the flagship of the Pacific fleet in the afternoon. Commissioned in 1918, the battleship served in both World War I & II before being sold for scrap in 1947. (TNT 7/22/1927 p.1)

This photograph taken in December, 1929, is of the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Lexington, who came to Tacoma's rescue in an acute power crisis due to severe drought conditions. Power cables run from the ship's generator to a transformer on Baker Dock. About this time rain finally started to fill the lakes necessary for the operation of power plants; with the addition of the Lexington's auxiliary power, Tacoma was able to once again function normally. The Lexington stopped power deliveries to Tacoma on January 16, 1930, and departed for San Francisco the following day. TPL-1857; G71.1-118

U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; Power shortages--Tacoma; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Three military men: soldier, sailor and marine. Tactical maneuvers at the Bremerton Navy Yards on March 23, 1936 brought together 2500 members of diverse military groups for "war practice." (Bremerton Sun)

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Military personnel--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Men shown leaving work at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. The men must show their badge to Navy personnel before they can pass through the gate. Wooden buildings are in the background. (Bremerton Sun).

Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Boat & ship industry--Bremerton--1930-1940

Fleet Week 1938 began in Tacoma with the arrival of 4 battleships of the US fleet and their 5200 officers and men. In Tacoma for the week of July 5- 11 were the USS California, West Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland. Pictured are five U.S. Navy battleships which have dropped anchor in Commencement Bay. Northeast Tacoma can be seen in the background. During Fleet Week, officers and enlisted men will be wined and dined, a military parade will feature 3,000 troops and 4 military bands, the ships will be open for tours and boating contests will take place. (T. Times 7/5/1938, pg. 1; 7/7/1938, pg. 1) TPL-9110

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This is the Grand Rapids PG-98 gunboat about a month before her launch date of April 4, 1970. She was the 11th of 12 gunboats built for the US Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Susan Ford, young daughter of Rep. (later President) and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford of Michigan, was the ship's sponsor. The Grand Rapids was named after the hometown of Rep. Ford. The vessel would be commissioned the USS Grand Rapids on September 5, 1970 and be decommissioned on October 1, 1977. Photograph ordered by US Steel. (www.navsource.org/archives)

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

3 young ladies looking at cannon of U.S.S. Lexington, December, 1929. The Navy did permit some tours of the ship which had come to Tacoma to assist in the production of auxiliary power. These young women appear intrigued at the size of the Navy's firepower. They had persuaded the ship's officers to lower the 8-inch guns so that they could more closely view the muzzles. Ethel Haasarud, Freda Gardner, and Naomi Dykeman were the panel of judges of the "Supreme Beauty Court of Tacoma." These ladies would choose the most handsome, most happy, and best dancer at the big Chamber of Commerce dance for enlisted personnel of the Lexington on December 26th. TPL-005 (T.Times, 12-23-1929, p. 1)