Harry Francel, welder, etc.

Harry Francel not only worked on major bridge projects, he taught welding to women during World War II, worked on the Detroit-Windsor tunnel, was an entreprenuer, and held a variety of jobs throughout his life. Here are some highlights from his scrapbooks. In most cases, the photographer is unknown. Corrections or additions to entries are welcome.

Women welders clipping
Mrs. Ruby Stroube, a 40-year old mother of three, wins Pacific Bridge Company Shipyard's "Girls' Welders Contest." July 14, 1943.
Shipyard newsletter
A page from "The Bridge," a Pacific Bridge Company Shipyard newsletter, 1944.
Work badge
One of Harry's work badges.
Odd jobs
The first page from Harry's work history record, with a wide assortment of odd jobs.
Work history
The second page from Harry's work history. In 1919, he was a "Waterfront bum."
Work history in the 1930s
The 1930s: "No work to be had. Banks broke! Me too!" However, major bridge and dam work was soon to follow.
Later work history
Lots of welding, and teaching others to do so.
Detroit Tunnel construction
Detroit Tunnel construction, 1929. A boat is towing a tunnel section upriver. These sections were submerged to form the tunnel.
Detroit Tunnel construction
Detroit Tunnel construction, 1929. Harry Francel's rigging barge.
Section No. 3 River Division Detroit and Canada Tunnel
Caption printed on original photo: Section No. 3 River Division Detroit and Canada Tunnel. Harry's note on back: "Detroit to Canada tunnel crew, Whitney Bros. Contr. Co., setting tubes in river." Harry Francel is 7th from left.
Pocket-sized gun cleaner
In the late 1940s and early 50s, Harry Francel developed and sold a pocket-sized gun cleaner.
Francel's Gun Swab instruction sheet
Francel's Gun Swab instruction sheet.
Gun swab pattern
Francel's Gun Swab kit included a supply of cleaning cloths and a heavy paper pattern to cut your own.
National Sportsmen's Research Institute
A bit of recognition.

See family photos, with old cars and relatives.

Harry's welding jobs included the Golden Gate and SF-Oakland Bay bridges.

More Francel on the web:

At Flickr: What it took to keep late 50s-early 60s television going in the Francel household

At YouTube: 1960s Francel family home movies