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Permanente Metals-Richmond #1

Richmond, California was home to two separate shipbuilding yards during World War II. The fist was established in 1940 as one of nine facilities that were created to build cargo ships quickly and efficiently. This was done in response to the ever growing number of attacks on American transportation vessels by German submarines, which were better known as U Boats. The Permanente Metals-Richmond #1 site was established to produce Ocean Class cargo ships that would set sail for Britain.

All of the initial ships that were produced at the Richmond facility were given names that began with the word Ocean. The first vessel that was laid down was the Ocean Vanguard. This ship was begun in April of 1941 and launched in August that same year. As production got underway, new vessels were built in approximately 70 days, but as the workers became more skilled and practiced, they reduced that time to approximately 30 days each.

The Permanente was noted for being efficient and building ships in a very economical manner. The vessels were well made with solid steel, powerful motors and heavy duty grade insulation to keep everything running at a proper temperature. Unfortunately the products that were used to insulate the entire vessel were made out of asbestos. At the time people did not know, but this naturally occurring mineral is an extreme health hazard. It is toxic, and exposure to the material can result in respiratory damage, tissue scarring and diseases such as asbestosis or lung cancer.

Mesothelioma is another well known cancerous disease that is most often linked to asbestos. There is no known cure for it, and the cancer has claimed the lives of thousands of people. All of the workers at Permanente Metals-Richmond #1 were very likely to have worked with or close to the hazardous substance, and may have become ill as a result. Sailors who spent time on the ocean going vessels that were built in Richmond faced the same risk.

All told, there were 138 ships produced at yard number one in Richmond. By the time WWII ended, the facility was no longer necessary and so it was permanently shut down.

Last modified: December 09 2009.