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.

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.

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.

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

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);

Group of 60 Tacoma Boat Maintenance workers. The deck is crowded with workers from Tacoma Boat together with their families.

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. The 65-foot tugboat with a 16-foot beam was one of two tugs launched at McNeil Island on June 17, 1943, under a revived shipbuilding program. The tugs were built of Douglas fir except for the stem, sternposts and trim. They ran on Diesel engines. The ships were built using prison labor and there was much anticipation of the launchings by the 100 guests from the mainland plus the proud builders. No ships locally had been built by prisoners since 1907 when Capt. Neil Henley of Steilacoom directed that last construction. Capt. Henley had founded the shipbuilding industry at McNeil prison in 1883. With America now entered into WWII, the necessity of more ships resulted in the revival of the shipbuilding program. T-88 and T-89 were the second and third built for the Army Transport Service by McNeil with the first ship turned over to the Army in November of 1942. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island;

Coverage of twin launchings at McNeil Island. On June 17, 1943 Mrs. H.W. Algeo served as sponsor of one of the two tugboats launched at McNeil Island. Mrs. L. Delmore, Jr., was the other sponsor. Mrs. Algeo is pictured above in the act of christening the boat with a firm smash against her prow. It was reported that both she and Mrs. Delmore were drenched by the exploding champagne bottles. KMO radio broadcast the event as a twin launching was rare and launchings of any sort of prisoner-built vessels even rarer. As the United States was now at war, a revival of using prison labor in boat construction had commenced. 1907 had been the last time locally that a ship was built by inmates. The two tugs would become the second and third built under the revived shipbuilding program at McNeil. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Algeo, H.W.--Family;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. James V. Bennett (second from left), Seattle Mayor William F. Devin (second from right) and Warden P.J. Squier of McNeil Island (far right) were identified in this group of men who were attending the twin launching of tugboats for the U.S. Army Transport Service on June 17, 1943. The tugs were built with prison labor during a revival of the shipbuilding industry on McNeil, and were highly praised by military and civilian officials. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1,3- various photographs)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Bennett, James V.; Devin, William F.; Squier, P.J.;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. Mrs. L. Delmore, Jr., smashed a bottle of champagne against the prow of one of the two tugs launched at McNeil Island on June 17, 1943 during the tradition of christening the vessel. Since she did so before the tug slid down the ways, the force of the bottle exploding drenched her from head to toe. The tug was to be turned over to the Army transport service. She was built with labor from McNeil Island inmates. (T. Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Delmore, L.--Family;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. Two sister tugs, T-88 and T-89, slid down the ways on Thursday, June 17, 1943 to loud cheering from spectators. The two ships launched were the second and third under the revived shipbuilding program during WWII. Both of them were to be turned over to the Army. Present at the event were prison officials and honored guests: (from left) master of ceremonies A.F. Lykke, James V. Bennett, Richard McGee, LTC D.M. Jacques of the Army Transport Corp, Seattle Mayor William F. Devin and Warden P.J. Squier of McNeil Island Penitentiary. The point was heavily emphasized that both vessels were built by McNeil Island prisoners. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Lykke, A.F.; Bennett, James V.; McGee, Richard; Jacques, D.M.; Devin, William F.; Squier, P.J.;

Tacoma Boat YMS 298 leaving. A side view of the mine sweeper with U.S. flag waving. Two men on the fore dock, five aft.

Ships--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Boat (Mann). US Army Transport Corps LT 214. This side view shows three men along the railing of the upper deck and someone looking out of the helm. TPL-6389

U.S. Army Transportation Corps; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

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);

Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. had recently received an Army contract to build four ocean going tugs and self propelled barges. View of ship in Puget Sound plant, prior to launching. TPL-8876

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

Martinac Shipbuilding was founded by Joseph M. Martinac, he established himself as an expert boat builder in Tacoma. Martinac has built minesweepers, purse seiners, sardine and tuna boats, pleasure boats and has converted fishing vessels into Navy patrol boats. View of unidentified launching sponsor and her son standing with unidentified ship crew members.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Western Boat Building Co. was a well equipped Tacoma shipyard building vessels for the Army, Navy and Coast Guard. Western Boat was about to launch a YP627, self propelled patrol craft, for the navy, in honor of Navy Day. View of unidentified Navy ship crew, their family members and the launching sponsor, Mrs. Kenneth Jones, in center holding roses (T. Times, 10/30/44, p. 7).

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

Western Boat Building Co. was owned and operated by the Petrich family. They were working on government and commercial contracts. Interior view of ship's main engine and fuel tank. Engine control gauges are visible on right side of photo.TPL-8889

Boat engines; Fuel tanks; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Pacific Boat Building. The "Pacific Gale" at harbor.

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bays--Tacoma-1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Side view of "Hustler"at dock after launching at Western Boat in early June of 1945. Several men are aboard in the stern. The fishing vessel was owned by R. Tom Muchlinski and home port listed as Ketchikan, Alaska. Shortly after being placed in service, the "Hustler" was acquired by the U.S. government.

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

Coast Guard off Old Town Dock in Commencement Bay with five fire barges during a May 7, 1943 drill with the city's Fireboat #1. The fire barges are displaying streams of water used to extinguish marine fires. The three larger barges could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. The two smaller vessels in the center were designed for fighting fires under docks. They could pump 600 gallons a minute. (T.Times, 5/8/1943, pg. 3; 5/10/43, p.14.)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

On May 7, 1943, five Coast Guard fire fighting barges took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock, showing their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. Also participating in the drill was Tacoma's Fireboat #1. The three larger barges can be seen in the background with the two smaller ones, designed to fight fires under docks, in the center. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1, as well as five Coast Guard fire fighting barges, took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The group was showing their ability to effectively stamp out waterfront fires. They were also calling attention to the clean up drive along the front sponsored by the Waterfront Defense Committee. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

On May 7, 1943, five fire barges from the Coast Guard took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The drill was intended to show their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. The three larger barges are pictured. They could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Tacoma's Fireboat #1, with several streams of water shooting into the air, demonstrates its ability to defend the waterfront from fire during a May 7, 1943 drill. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);