Preparations are being made for the launching of the 177-foot tuna seiner, the "City of Panama" on February 3, 1968. She would be sliding down the ways at Port Industrial Yard. Built by Tacoma Boatbuilding for Roland Virissimo of San Diego, the "City of Panama" was the second in the Blue Pacific class to be launched in two weeks, after "Bold Venture" on January 20th. The "City of Panama" was powered by a 2,075-horsepower electromotive diesel and could carry up to 925 tons of tuna. She would be used to fish in the waters near Puerto Rico. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 1-30-68, p. 18) TPL-9129

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Drew Foss (2nd from L) is joined by his mother and father, Agnes and Henry Foss and Anthony J. Martinolich (farthest L) during the launching of the towboat Claudia Foss on February 24, 1968, at Martinolich Shipbuilding's Taylor Way yard. The 80-foot vessel was built for Foss Launch & Tug and had a 25-foot beam. It was the first of two towboats being built for Foss; the second, another 80-foot vessel, was scheduled for a May launching. The Fosses kept the tradition of naming their boats after members of the family; the Claudia Foss was named for the daughter-in-law of Barbara Foss Campbell, Wedell Foss' daughter. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding. (TNT 2-25-68, A-8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss, Agnes S.; Foss, Drew; Martinolich, Anthony J.

Civilians and military personnel gathered for the launching of the USS Tacoma, the fourth vessel to bear the city's name, on April 13, 1968. The 165-foot aluminum-hulled boat was the eighth in a series of twelve patrol gunboats built for the Navy by Tacoma Boat Building. It would probably be deployed off the coast of Vietnam. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co.

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The stern of the USS Tacoma. The USS Tacoma was successfully launched, bow-first, into the waters of Commencement Bay on April 13, 1968. The PG-92 was the eighth in a series of twelve Asheville Class patrol gunboats being built by Tacoma Boat Building for the U.S. Navy. The sleek boat was powered by two 750-horsepower diesels for normal cruising conditions and turbine for high speeds in excess of 40 knots. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (TNT 4-14-68, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The little tug, the Brynn Foss, trails after the newly launched towboat, the Claudia Foss, on February 24, 1968. The 80-foot vessel was built by Martinolich Shipbuilding for Foss Launch & Tug and slipped into the water at its Taylor Way yard. Her keel was laid on December 1, 1967. Delivery of the vessel was scheduled for April 1st. The Claudia Foss was the first of two 80-foot boats being built for Foss with the second, the Martha Foss, scheduled for a May 15, 1968, launching. She was named for Mrs. Duncan (Claudia) Campbell, daughter-in-law of Barbara Foss Campbell. (TNT 2-25-68, A-8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

Ship's sponsor. The U.S. Navy patrol gunboat, the "Tacoma," is ready for launching into Commencement Bay on April 13, 1968. Mrs. Arne Strom, the ship's sponsor, is holding a bouquet of longstem red roses. Her husband, standing next to her, is the chairman of the board of Tacoma Boat Building. Mrs. Strom would have the honor of christening the new vessel with the traditional bottle of champagne. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co. (TNT 4-14-68, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Strom, Arne; Strom, Arne--Family;

La Mansard 1968 Model Home. The Tacoma Home Show traditionally had two or more Model Homes open to the public. In 1968, one of the homes was the "La Mansard," located in the open space University Place neighborhood of Beckonridge. Located at 9038 Ridgeview Circle, off 47th St. and Grandview, it was built by the Ray Dally Construction Co., who had built several homes in Beckonridge. The two-story luxory home had exterior walls of horizontal rough-sawn 1 x 6 lumber that were darkly stained. Its mansard, grooved roof had red cedar shingles which were uncolored. The four bedroom "La Mansard" was built on a wooded lot high on a hill with a view of the Olympic Mountains. The 2400 square foot home had a gently curving driveway leading to a two-car garage; it cost approximately $36,000. Photograph ordered by Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-18-68, p. 29, 31, 33)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Model houses--University Place; Houses--University Place--1960-1970;

These ladies are members of the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club who were attending the 20th annual West Coast conference held at the Winthrop Hotel, February 23-25, 1968. The Tacoma chapter was hosting the three-day convention. The function of the club is to study and discuss traffic and transport matters. The Hooper Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1959 to further the education of women in the field of traffic and transportation; the 1966-67 scholarship winner would be presented at the conference. Photograph ordered by the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma. (TNT 2-18-68, D-1, D-11)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Women's Traffic & Transportation Club;

Entertainment at the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club convention. These dancers show off the latest dance steps at the 20th annual West Coast convention of the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club held at the Winthrop Hotel February 23-25, 1968. 130 delegates from 13 clubs were expected to be in attendance. Photograph ordered by the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma.

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Entertainers--Tacoma--1960-1970;

What's a convention without some skits? These intrepid women participated in a costumed skit during the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club's 20th annual West Coast convention held at the Winthrop Hotel in late February, 1968. The Tacoma branch of the national club served as hosts for the convention. Mrs. Terrance Lazzari was general chairman of the event. Photograph ordered by Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma.

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Costumes;

These participants at the 20th annual West Coast conference of the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club appear to be having fun during their three-day February convention at the Winthrop Hotel. All attention seems to be focused on the beribboned walking box with "antennae" and shimmering legs. Tacoma Mayor A.L. Rasmussen welcomed conferees to the evening's banquet. Photograph ordered by the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma. (TNT 2-18-68, D-1, D-11)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Costumes;

Exibition booth at 1969 Tacoma Home Show. Standing in front of an electronic map made specifically for the Tacoma Home Show by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Tacoma is HBA home show chairman, Dean Eldridge. Prospective homeowners and/or renters were invited to locate a new residence built by members of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Tacoma by merely flicking switches corresponding to various builders' names. The electronic map would then light up showing appropriate home developments. The map, as well as many other booths of interest, would be available during the six-day run of the home show, held in the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse, which would conclude on Sunday, March 30th. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (TNT3-27-69, B-3)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1960-1970; Maps; Eldridge, Dean;

Leaning on traditional shovels are officials and directors from the Bank of Tacoma. They were present for groundbreaking ceremonies on March 28, 1969, at the site of the new building for the Sixth & "L" branch. Bank president David J. Williams is on the extreme left; fourth from left is Chairman of the Board Thomas Mallon; man to the far right is James K. Jones, current branch manager of the Sixth & "L" bank. The Bank of Tacoma had four locations in the area; it would be absorbed by Seattle-First National Bank the following year. Photograph ordered by the Bank of Tacoma.

Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Bankers--Tacoma; Mallon, Thomas; Williams, David J.; Jones, James K.; Shovels;

Groundbreaking of new bank site. Two men pose with a scale model of the new Bank of Tacoma branch to be built at Sixth & "L" St, apparently next door to the existing branch. David J. Williams, bank president, is on the left; man on right is Thomas Mallon, Chairman of the Board. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on March 28, 1969. By 1970, the bank building still stood there; however, it now was listed under the "Seattle-First National Bank" name. Sea-First entered the Tacoma market by absorbing Bank of Tacoma's four locations. Photograph ordered by Bank of Tacoma.

Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Building models; Williams, David J.; Mallon, Thomas; Bankers--Tacoma;

Dona Wenger, Miss Home Show of 1969, perches on top of an automobile parked outside the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma on March 19, 1969. She will be presiding over festivities associated with the annual Tacoma Home Show held at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse from March 25-30th. Miss Wenger, age 21, is the daughter of Mrs. Donald Wenger of Fircrest. A former student at the University of Washington and a direct descendant of Sir Francis Drake, she is a bank teller at National Bank of Washington's Westgate Banking Center. Coincidentally, that is also the workplace of Barbara Slott, Miss Wenger's predecessor as Home Show Queen. Photograph ordered by National Home Shows. (TNT 3-7-69, p. 3)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Wenger, Dona;

Miss Home Show of 1969, Dona Wenger, jauntily demonstrates the many uses of a powered concrete wheelbarrow while at Manaco Enterprises, 7402 Custer Rd. W., on March 10, 1969. The Tacoma-built "Wheel-Burro" is pulling a Toro attachment, perfect for large lawns. The small steering wheel of the wheelbarrow is upright instead of tilted and the engine (not shown) is on the right side of the steering component. The "Wheel-Burro" was deliberately designed so that it could fit through a standard door. Photograph ordered by National Home Shows. (TNT 3-14-69, B-5)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Wenger, Dona; Wheelbarrows;

1969 Tacoma Home Show. The annual Tacoma Home Show brought fresh new ideas for home improvement to the foreground for local residents. It included not only enhancements for the interior of the home but for the exterior as well. An exhibit booth featuring Landscaping by Carini displayed a variety of native trees and shrubs to create a pleasant atmosphere for the homeowner. Landscaping by Carini was owned and operated by Joseph M. Carini, Jr., 1611 So. Mullen. The display was one of the first exhibits near the entrance of the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Gazing over the landscaping is Home Builders Assocation executive officer, Clarence Wilson. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (TNT 3-30-69, C-25)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1960-1970; Wilson, Clarence;

Groundbreaking ceremonies. Thomas Mallon, with shovel, poses with a model of the new branch building for Bank of Tacoma during groundbreaking ceremonies on March 28, 1969. A new structure would be built at 1114 Sixth Ave. next to the original branch. Mr. Mallon was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Tacoma. The man on the left is James K. Jones, current manager of the Sixth and "L" branch. Photograph ordered by the Bank of Tacoma.

Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Building models; Bankers--Tacoma; Mallon, Thomas; Jones, James K.; Shovels;

Dona Wenger, Miss Home Show Queen, demonstrates a powered concrete wheelbarrow at Manaco Enterprises, 7402 Custer Rd. W., on March 10, 1969. The Tacoma-built "Wheel-Burro" easily lifts to automatically dump out its contents. It was one of the many home and garden improvements shown at the annual Tacoma Home Show held March 25-30th. Photograph ordered by National Home Shows. (TNT 3-14-69, B-5)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Wenger, Dona; Wheelbarrows;

Launching sponsor. Miss Tacoma of 1969, Terri Louise Bale, raises her wrapped bottle of champagne prior to christening the Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp.'s new tugboat, the "Betsy L," on Saturday, December 21, 1968. The tugboat was built for Knappton Towing Co. of Portland. Miss Bale, age 19 and a Tacoma Community College freshman, was crowned Miss Tacoma on November 30, 1968 at the Fellowship Hall. A self-taught pianist, she won the talent contest. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Bale. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 12-1-68, p. 1, TNT 12-2-68, p. 6, TNT 12-22-68, C-19)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bale, Terri Louise; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Two men are boarding the small craft "Mary Ann" as a third man yanks a cable on the newly launched "Trap Servicing" vessel built for Tacoma City Light for use when completed at Mossyrock Dam. The workboat was successfully launched at the Port of Tacoma's Industrial Yard on November 13, 1968. Photograph ordered by Star Marine Industries.

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Star Marine Industries (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Standing in front of the new fishing boat, the "Conquest," were the principal parties honored at the ship's launching on October 23, 1968. From L-R are J.S. Martinac, Mrs. Joseph Madruga, Mr. Madruga, and an unidentified man. The 165-foot vessel was built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation for Joseph Madruga. Mrs. Madruga, holding a bouquet of long stem red roses, was the ship's sponsor. After undergoing sea trials, the "Conquest" would be delivered to the Madrugas in January of 1969. She would fish in the San Pedro, California, area, with Richard Madruga, Joseph's brother, as captain. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-24-68, A-3) TPL-9194

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Madruga, Joseph--Family; Martinac, J.S.; Roses--Tacoma;

A smiling Mrs. Joseph Madruga poses in front of the tuna seiner, "Conquest," on October 23, 1968. The 165-foot fishing vessel, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, was launched that day. Mrs. Madruga, clutching an enormous bouquet of long stem red roses, was the ship's sponsor and christened the "Conquest" with the traditional bottle of champagne. She was the wife of the boat's managing owner. Assisting Mrs. Madruga in the christening was Mrs. Richard Madruga, wife of the ship's captain. The Madruga brothers would fish for canneries in the San Pedro, California, area. Designed for a crew of 14, she would be delivered to her owner in early 1969. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT10-24-68, A-3) TPL-9223

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Madruga, Joseph--Family; Roses--Tacoma;

Launching. Champagne sprays across the bow of the "Kerri M" as she is christened on December 14, 1968, at the Port Industrial Yard. 10-year-old Kerri Medina, daughter of captain/owner Harold Medina, did the honors. The $1.8 million dollar fishing boat was scheduled for delivery to her San Diego owner early in 1969. The "Kerri M" was the last of a series of three federally subsidized tuna seiners built by Tacoma Boatbuilding. The U.S. Maritime Commission paid 48% of the cost under the Fishing Fleet Improvement Act of 1964. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-15-68, C-23) TPL-9221

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Medina, Kerri;

Launching. Proudly standing before the ship bearing her name, 10-year-old Kerri Medina cradles a bouquet of long stem red roses and a wrapped bottle of champagne. Kerri would be the fishing boat's sponsor and would christen the vessel's bow with the champagne. Standing next to Kerri is her sister, Judy; she probably acted as the sponsor's attendant. Kerri's father, Harold Medina of San Diego, was the ship's captain/owner. The 176-foot tuna seiner cost $1.8 million; nearly half of the cost was paid by the federal government under the Fishing Fleet Improvement Act of 1964. (TNT 12-15-68, C-23) TPL-9222

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Medina, Kerri; Roses--Tacoma;

Launching. One week after her sister-ship the "Cheryl Marie" slid down the ways at the Port Industrial Yard, the "Kerri M" was successfully launched at 11:30 a.m. on December 14, 1968. She was the last of a series of three federally subsidized tuna seiners built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, each costing $1.8 million. The 176-foot fishing boat was scheduled for delivery early in 1969 to owner Harold Medina of San Diego. The vessel was named after the 10-year-old daughter of the captain/owner. (TNT 12-15-68, C-23) TPL-9220

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Propeller of "Cape San Vincent." The "Cape San Vincent" was launched in the pre-dawn hours of March 20, 1969, into the City Waterway. The tuna seiner was built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation for Edmund A. Gann of California. The 165-foot fishing boat could carry a crew of 14 and was equipped with a 2800 horsepower General Motors diesel main engine. She had a 650-ton frozen tuna capacity and was scheduled to be delivered to her owner in late spring. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-9-69, C-27; TNT 3-20-69, C-16) TPL-9398

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Launching of the "Cape San Vincent." The "Cape San Vincent" was successfully launched in the early morning hours of March 20, 1969, from the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding yard. She slid down the ways into the City Waterway. Martinac Shipbuilding was busy at this time with five tuna seiners under construction, three of them built with federal funds. The "Cape San Vincent," 165 feet in length, could carry a crew of 14. She would be turned over to her owner, Edward A. Gann of Southern California, in late spring and used to fish in the San Pedro area. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-9-69, C-27; TNT 3-20-69, C-16) TPL-9397

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Mrs. Edmund A. Gann of California did the honors in christening the 165-foot tuna seiner, "Cape San Vincent," at 5:30 a.m. on March 20, 1969 at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding's yard. She is pictured breaking the traditional bottle of champagne across the ship's bow. Mrs. Gann is the wife of the "Cape San Vincent's" owner. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-9-69, C-27; TNT 3-20-69, C-16) TPL-9394

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Gann, Edmund A.--Family;

Boat launching. An interested crowd listens as launching ceremonies continue pre-dawn on March 20, 1969, at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding yard. The "Cape San Vincent," a 165-foot tuna seiner, awaits launching on the City Waterway. The ship, with a frozen tuna capacity of 650 tons, is scheduled for delivery to owner Edward A. Gann in late spring. She will be used to fish in the San Pedro, California, waters. The "Cape San Vincent" is one of five tuna seiners under construction at Martinac Shipbuilding; three of these are being built under a federal subsidy program. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. (TNT 3-9-69, C-27, TNT 3-20-69, C-16) TPL-9396

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Public speaking--Tacoma--1960-1970;