Back of Photo:
First Air-Cushion Cruiser
Photograph By Bob Rudsit

Tacoma Boat Building. At the time of this July 27, 1946 photograph, Tacoma Boat Building was nearing completion of "West Point," their first all-steel tuna clipper. She was launched August 17, 1946, and christened by Christine Jangaard. The vessel is 112 feet by 26 1/2 feet, powered by a 675 hp Cooper-Bessemer engine. TPL-8906

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

Peterson Boat Building was launching a 98-foot wooden tuna purse seiner in April of 1947 which was also capable of sardine seining. The fishing vessel was built for John and George Stanovich and Louis LeMont of San Pedro, California. The boat was christened as the "Golden West," with Mrs. John Stanovich as sponsor. Mrs. Stanovich is pictured above holding her bouquet and the champagne bottle just before the ship christening. After completion, the "Golden West" was headed south to fish for tuna on behalf of the French Sardine Co. (T. Times, 4/2/47, p. 9 & Pacific Fisherman, Jan. 1948, p. 185). TPL-8924

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stanovich, John--Family; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Pacific Boat Building Company, sea trials of "Sun King". A view of Sun King's starboard side. Pacific Boat Building Company was operated by John B. and Robert J. Breskovich and Joseph S. Rosin at this time. TPL-8933

Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pacific Boat Building Company, sea trials of "Sun King". An aerial view of Sun King showing her decks. This tuna clipper was 112 ft. x 26.5 ft. x 14 ft. She was built for Joseph Fernandes and Sun Harbor Packing Company of San Diego. She was a sister ship of Sun Voyager and had a 550 h.p engine. (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook 1949, p. 301 & 320) TPL-8932

Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Boat Building Company. "Lynda" and "Eileen" water trials. The two fishing boats are seen on Commencement Bay. TPL-8926

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Boat Building Company. "Lynda" water trials. TPL-8927

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

Puget Sound Boat. An interior view of a fishing vessel showing the chart storage and navigation table next to the communications system. TPL-8942

Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Boat. An interior view of a fishing vessel showing the refrigeration units. TPL-8940

Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Boat. An interior view of a fishing vessel showing the sleeping quarters. Bunk beds line the hull of the boat. Drawers for each of the crew are below the bunks and a bench stands in the middle. The walls are lined with plywood. TPL-8941

Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crew quarters;

Tacoma Boat, the "Defiance". Four men including Arne Strom (left) and Haldor Dahl (second from right), owners of Tacoma Boat, stand on the upper deck of the Defiance. TPL-8946

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

Tacoma Boat. A view of the interior of the "Defiance" showing the crew's sleeping quarters: bunk beds with benches and drawers below line the outside of the hull and another row is placed in the center. Closet doors are visible at the far end of the area. TPL-8951

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

Tacoma Boat. A view of the interior of the "Defiance" featuring the end of the galley where the crew would take their meals. The large table has a high edge to keep items from sliding off the table when the boat shifted due to waves and winds. The large 2-door refrigerator is seen on the left. There are plenty of cubbies for storage against many of the walls. TPL-8948

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Galleys (Ship kitchens); Refrigerators; Cupboards--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial design;

Tacoma Boat. A view of the interior of the "Defiance" looking down the shaft alley between the controls for the distribution center for bait water, brine circulation and refrigeration control. Through the shaft alley passes much of the electric cable, the steering controls and propulsion shafting. (Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc., Catalog, 9/1/1953) TPL-8953

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Interiors--Tacoma; Pipes; Plumbing fixtures--Tacoma;

Puget Sound Boat Building Company. The newly launched boat is just entering the water after sliding down the ways from the ways building. Flags are still attached to her prow and decks. TPL-8936

Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts; Tugboats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

View of "Jimmy M" a 48 foot steel troller built by Birchfield Boiler Inc. "Jimmy M" was designed by the Edwin Monk naval architecture firm, Edwin Monk and Lorne Garden were the chief architects. Edwin Monk company designed pleasure and commercial vessels for different boat building companies throughout the Pacific Coast. Photo ordered by June H. Althuser (Pacific Fisherman, 1949 Yearbook Number, 1/25/1949).

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Edwin Monk Naval Architects (Seattle); Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

Interior view of "Coronado's", a Peterson built boat, chart and radio room. This room is richly paneled in mahogany plywood panels, this is unique in that this type of wood is not usually used in this type of room or boat. Charts and maps are on the desk and reading area by the lamp, the vessel's steering wheel is on the left side (Pacific Fisherman, 1949 Yearbook Number, 1/25/49). TPL-8970

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Navigation; Helms; Charts; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Peterson Boat Building Company's general manager was George J. Peterson, the company's plant was located on 223 East F Street in Tacoma. View of "Coronado", the recently completed, 103 foot tuna clipper, on its trial run through Tacoma's Commencement Bay, John Meadonich (See image number D34144-8), the vessel's skipper is on the right side (Pacific Fisherman, 1949 Yearbook Number, 1/25/49). TPL-8973

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pacific Boat. Three women and six men pose for their group portrait on the day of the boat trials for the Pan Pacific, a 103 foot salmon and tuna seiner built for Andrew Kuljis. John B. Breskovich, and Robert J. Breskovich and Joseph S. Rosin were the officers of Pacific Boat at this time. TPL-9445

Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Three motor boats were at varying stages of construction in March of 1948 at the Pacific Boat Building Company shop, 759 Port of Tacoma Road. "Freedom" at the front of the line of boats was nearing completion. John Breskovich had owned Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. since 1942. In August 1945 he took over the assets of Pacific Boat Building Company. The two companies continued to retain separate identities; Pacific Boat converted to production of aluminum pleasure boats, and larger boat production was turned over to Puget Sound Boat Building. (TNT, 12/10/1947)

Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Yachts--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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);

Boat interior. The interior of a Tacoma built fish boat showing the switchboard, the control panel for the electrical elements of the boat. TPL-9003

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

Boat interior. The interior of a newly completed fishing boat showing a small chapel. This is most likely the Virginia R completed by Tacoma Boat Building Company on January 29, 1949. TPL-9004

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

Tacoma Boat Building Company.The Virginia R, a new tuna clipper built by the Tacoma Boat Building Company for Captain Manuel Ribiero, was completed January 29, 1949. This elevated view shows the 108' x 26' x 13.6" fishing boat on her sea trials. A covered bait deck is shown on her stern. Tacoma Boat advertised as of 1954 that they had wooden "sticks" for keels up to 16" x 18" x 108'. (TNT, 2/15/1949, p. B-5) TPL-9001

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

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, sea trials of the Mary S. Three men stand beside the new tuna clipper, the Mary S. TPL-629

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ordered by Charles F.A. Mann. Mrs. Art De Fever, carrying a bouquet of long stem roses, was the sponsor of the 105-foot "Yolande Bertin" tuna clipper built by Tacoma Boat Building Co. She was the wife of a San Pedro naval architect. Others in the group were not identified. The fishing boat was launched at Tacoma Boat Building on Thursday evening, June 9, 1949. (TNT 6-10-1949, p. 22-alt. photo)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. (Tacoma); De Fever, Art--Family;

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. An aerial view of the Acania, a recently restored yacht of prewar days. Four medium sized fishing skiffs can be seen on the top deck which could be used by passengers on the chartered yacht to take out after salmon. Owners of the yacht, Fred Borovich, captain, Ted Ultsch, chief engineer, and J.S. Martinac, were offering the yacht for charter. (TNT, 7/3/1949, p.A-16)

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The 87-foot exploratory vessel John R. Manning, constructed by the Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, was driven by a 6-cylinder, 11 1/2" x 15" Washington Iron Works diesel engine delivering 300hp at 325 rpm. Based in Honolulu, the ship made extensive explorations into the central Pacific.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

The tuna clipper Hortensia-Bertin, built by Tacoma Boat Building Co., heads out from Commencement Bay February 8, 1950 bound for the tuna seas. The vessel, owned by Capt. O. E. Bertin and designed by Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, was outstanding in the field of communications both internal and ship to shore. The ship was built of wood and was 103' in length and 25' 10" in beam with a hull identical to the Coronado, built by Peterson Boat Building Co., Tacoma. TPL-9027

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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);