The Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard
G'day folks,
We often forget the human
effort that went in to Allied war efforts during the Second World War, so it's
always pertinent when old photographs emerge to remind us all how hard our
forefathers had to strive in order to ensure the freedom of future generations.
Below is a collection of images that capture life at the short-lived
Bethlehem-Fairfield shipyard, which was located in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
The
Bethlehem-Fairfield shipyard was one of two new emergency shipyards constructed
in the United States during World War II. These operations were part of the
Emergency Shipbuilding Program, which was established by the US Maritime
Commission in 1941.
The
Emergency Shipbuilding Program was conceived because the US government needed
to be able to move troops, material and cargo to allied countries, as well as
to foreign theaters of war. In just four short years, more than 6,000 ships
were built as part of the program.
Bethlehem-Fairfield
got the first part of its name from the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation,
which the US government entrusted to run it. The second part came from its
location, which was in the Fairfield area of the city of Baltimore.
The
very first ship to launch from the Bethlehem-Fairfield shipyard was the Liberty
Ship SS Patrick Henry. President Roosevelt presided over the ceremony.
The occasion came to be known as Liberty Fleet Day, and that’s because 14 ships
were launched across the US on the very same day. Some 384 of all the ships
constructed at the shipyard during its time in operation were Liberty Ships,
and each one was designed to carry more than 10,000 tons of cargo.
Clancy's comment: What a great record, eh?
I'm ...
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