In 1967, fire ravages Pryde Brothers Sheel Metal plant

From the archives of The Daily World

By Karen Barkstrom • March 21, 2017 1:30 am

75 years ago

March 20, 1942

• Gratis use of the Grays Harbor County club to all members of the armed services stationed here, was announced today by Clyde A. Pitchford, club president.

“We are happy to be able to allow the military the use of our golf course free of charge,” Pitchford said. “All that is necessary is that the visitors check in with Professional Clyde Shoemaker.

• A vast flotilla of men o’ war invaded Grays Harbor beaches yesterday, but didn’t attract more than passing glances.

The invaders were Portuguese men o’ war blue marine creatures native to the warm waters off Mexico. Driven northward by ocean currents the jellyfish carpeted north and south beaches today.

Beach residents said the men o’ war carried no odor, dispelling the rumor that the jellyfish were responsible for the infamous smell that swept in from the ocean last fall.

50 years ago

March 20, 1967

Marked by a spectacular column of black smoke, visible for miles, the Pryde Brothers Sheet Metal plant was ravaged by flames at noon today. None of the nine employes was injured. A spark from a welding torch apparently set off the fire.

Hoquiam firemen rushed to the 10th Street and Simpson location to battle the blaze. The interior was destroyed and the roof collapsed.

Smoke was so thick that traffic coming into Hoquiam off the Simpson Avenue Bridge was halted temporarily until drivers could see the roadway.

25 years ago

March 20, 1992

• A Navy jet on a training mission crashed on the Olympic Peninsula but all four crew members parachuted to safety.

The EA-6B Prowler from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station crashed shortly before noon Thursday in heavy timber just north of Kalaloch. Three crew members were found along a logging road. Two of the men suffered broken bones.

• While the Bible Baptist Church building in Aberdeen likely will be declared a “total loss,” church members are certain good will come from the fire that hit the 100-year-old structure Wednesday night.

“We were praying for a new building and now we will have one — either better or worse,” said Pastor Dean Deaton.

For this Sunday, the pastor plans to conduct worship services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the studios of Christian Cable Ministries at the corner of E. Heron and S. Michigan in Aberdeen.

Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom