Boats at Northern Pacific dock, Tacoma, Washington Territory, circa 1885. The owners of the warehouse in the center of photograph were not identified. The large building to the far left is the Blackwell Hotel, considered New Tacoma's first hotel. Built by the Northern Pacific Railroad, it opened on January 1, 1874 and closed in 1884. It was razed during the summer of 1901. KING-002, TPL-1095

This early 1880s photograph by C. E. & Hattie King is of the Tacoma waterfront. Several European Americans are standing near Indian canoes moored along the shoreline. The location is believed to be south of the James Williams salmon cannery in Old Tacoma. The Kings brief period of photographing Tacoma views documents the blending of cultures and history--the presence and traditions of local Native Americans and the presence of newer Americans establishing homes, industries and towns in the West. KING 016, TPL-3746.

In this circa 1886 photograph, a Native American family lounges in their long boat near the shore. In the background can be seen the Northern Pacific Railroad bridge. The canoe is loaded with supplies, probably returning or setting off for the family's hunting ground. The Puyallup tribe members were primarily hunters, gatherers and fishermen. During this time period, their village was believed to be located at the foot of North 15th. KING-015, TPL 2894.

A group of Puyallup Indians with their longboats (canoes) on the Puget Sound around 1886. Behind them can be seen the Northern Pacific Railroad bridge. The Puyallups were primarily fishermen, hunters and gatherers. The local salmon provided their primary food source, but was also a symbol of reverence to the tribe. In the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854, they ceded many of their territories but retained their fishing rights. Their village at this time was believed to be at the foot of North 15th. KING-014, TPL 2895.

The old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Company plant were destroyed by fire shortly after noon on Tuesday, January 7,1936. Flames and thick black smoke engulfed the warehouse building and dock while firemen and equipment on land fought to quell the fire. The City fireboat and four Foss tugs were also called into action and together, they managed to contain the fire to stop it from spreading to other nearby warehouses and docks. It was reported that a wood dust explosion caused the $260,000 fire. The Waterside Milling Co. specialized in the manufacture of wood flour, which was a finely powdered form of wood. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1-article; T.Times 1-8-36, p. 1+-article; TDL 1-8-36, p. 1-article & various photographs; 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smoke--Tacoma; Waterside Milling Co. (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Double launching of two new U.S. Navy Destroyers, "Cushing" and "Perkins" at Navy Yard Shipbuilding dock on December 31, 1935. Huge crowds lined both sides of the waterway; some were standing in front of wooden buildings while others were seated on benches. The crowd at the Navy Yard launching was estimated at 8,000. (Bremerton Sun).

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Spectators--Bremerton;

Launching of two new U.S. Navy Destroyers, "Cushing" and "Perkins," at Bremerton Navy Yard shipbuilding dock on December 31, 1935. Over 8,000 people stood to watch the double christening. Miss Katherine A. Cushing, Adm. T.T. Craven, Mrs. Isabel Anderson, and Governor Clarence D. Martin were among the participants. (Bremerton Sun).

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

In August of 1935, the west end of the Navy yard in Bremerton was known as the "Boneyard." Here unused or outdated ships rode at anchor, fastened together with intricate knots of cable. The white bow, visible in the interior of the group, was the USS Patoka. The Patoka, constructed in 1919, was outfitted with a distinctive stern mooring mast in 1924 for lighter-than-air craft. She was subsequently used as an operational and experimental base by three of the Navy's great dirigibles, USS Shenandoah (ZR-1) in 1924-1925, USS Los Angeles (ZR-3) in 1925-1932, and USS Akron (ZRS-4) in 1932. (Bremerton Sun 8/15/1935, pg. 1; www.history.navy.mil)

Boat graveyards--Bremerton; Government vessels--Bremerton; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

On Thursday July 30, 1936, hundreds of Tacomans watched the annual whaleboat race, put on by the sailors docked in Tacoma for Fleet Week. Thirteen-man crews from eight ships took part in the race, with the victory going to the men from the U.S.S. San Francisco. Led by coxswain Tommy Loughran, the men from the San Francisco completed the one mile course, begins at the Old Tacoma Dock and proceeds toward the City Waterway, in 9 minutes 55.5 seconds. Following time-worn custom, the coxswain of the winning crew was tossed overboard at the end of the race. (T. Times 7/31/1936, pg. 1 &3)

Boat racing; Rowboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowing races--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowers;

This view of Tacoma's fishing fleet, moored at the Port Commission Docks dates from November of 1934. At that time, about 45 fishing vessels called Tacoma their home port. A long row of fishing boats was photographed, their images reflected on the still water. Among the boats tied to the dock are: the "Chancellor", the "Blanco", the "Orbit" and the "Falcon." An editorial on page one of the November 20th Tacoma Times supported Initiative 77 banning fish traps. The newspaper championed building a larger marina in Tacoma that could support an expanded fleet of boats. A strip of land belonging to the Port of Tacoma, near the Port Piers, was proposed for the site of the new facility that could be the home of up to 300 boats. (T. Times 11/20/1934, pg. 1)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Ferry boat leaving dock. Beach in foreground, islands/peninsulas in background.

Ferries--Tacoma; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Beaches--Tacoma;

Harbor with boats tied up to pier. Three people in the lower left corner are walking by a boat. Photo series is of the Capital to Capital Yacht Race from Tacoma to Nanaimo, BC in July of 1935. The race was expected to draw close to 100 entries, almost a 1/2 million in pleasure craft investment, that would carry around 600 persons. Only amateurs were eligible, no professional Navy men. Out of the proposed entrants, 51 started the race, 24 from Tacoma, and 49 finished. (T.Times 7/25-27, 1935 & 7/29/1935, pg. 1)

Regattas--1930--1940; Yacht racing--1930--1940; Yachts--1930--1940;

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;

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'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);

ca. 1939. Unidentified captain in suit and hat at controls of boat. Photograph taken circa 1939.

Boats--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Tacoma Fire Company. Side view of Fireboat No. 1 with jets of water shooting into Commencement Bay.

Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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);

Interior view of boat. Steering wheel with control panel on left side, this area had the compass and navigation controls for smooth sailing. An enclosed compartment with light and sink are visible next to the steering wheel, possibly the bathroom. The small kitchen area has dishes protected by a shelf and rail and small refrigerator is located underneath the hot plate. The boat interior was made with Douglas Fir plywood products.

Boats--Tacoma; Galleys (Ship kitchens); Compasses; Navigation; Interiors--Tacoma; Plywood; Steering wheels; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Deep Sea has trawl gear of the Icelandic type, with a high throat, designed to take free swimming fish of the cod and pollock type, in addition to bottom dwelling species such as King crabs, sole and flounders. The 140 foot trawler, built by Birchfield Boiler, Inc., will offer her owners, Deep Sea Trawlers, a complete fishing, packing and freezing plant. "Deep Sea" will be able to accommodate thirty two fishermen (Pacific Fisherman, July 1947, p. 40-41).

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

Peterson Boat Building, launching the "Joann". A crowd stands by the "Joann" while men stand on her deck furling a U.S. flag. Two young girls stand at the bow of the ship ready to christen her before she slides down the ways.

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

Peterson boat "Americano." Peterson Boat Building Co. was founded by George Peterson in 1942. They are a small but busy shipyard. Peterson Boat Building Company's general manager was George J. Peterson and the company's plant was located on 223 East F Street in Tacoma. They have recently received a government contract to build Army tugs. View of "Americano," a tuna clipper built by Peterson Boat Building Co. TPL-8996

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

Western Boat. Western Boat Building Co. is about to launch a tuna clipper. They have recently completed two, as well as many other ships for the Navy. The company is owned by Martin Petrich Sr. and his three sons. View of gathering prior to boat launching. TPL-8867

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. launched the U. S. Army B.S.P. 3135, a self propelled 88 foot long, twin diesel engine cargo barge, on Thanksgiving Day. The company received a government contract to build four cargo barges for the Army. Beverly Agen, Puget Sound Boat staff, was the launching sponsor (T. Times, 11/23/44, p. 1). TPL-5747

Barges--Tacoma; Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pacific Boat Building Co. received a government contract to build four barges for the Army. View of U. S. Army B.S.P. 3131, an 88 foot self propelled cargo barge with double diesel powered engines. The B.S.P. 3131 is the second barge, of the order, to be completed and launched by Pacific Boat.

Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Pacific Boat Building Co. received a government contract to build four barges for the Army. Side view of U. S. Army B.S.P. 3131, an 88 foot self propelled cargo barge with double diesel powered engines. The B.S.P. 3131 is the second barge, of the order, to be completed and launched by Pacific Boat.

Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);