Cramp Shipbuilding
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cramp Shipbuilding served as an important source of World War II vessels, including the USS Columbia, the USS Indiana, the USS Little Rock, the USS Massachusetts, and the USS Rathburne. Founded in 1830 by 23 year-old William Cramp, Cramp Shipbuilding was considered to be the most successful shipyard in the area at that time.
After a long history of building ships for World War I, the U.S. Navy paid $22 million dollars in 1940 to reactivate the Philadelphia shipyard and commissioned Cramp Shipbuilding to construct submarines for World War II service. During WWII, over 18,000 workers were employed here and the shipyard provided great economic influence on the Philadelphia community.
The shipyard closed in 1947, and the former yard would soon be home to the Philadelphia Electric Company and a stretch of the Reading Railroad.
Former Cramp Shipbuilding workers should closely monitor their health, as exposure to asbestos occurred frequently during the construction of World War II vessels. Asbestos exposure is linked to the development of mesothelioma cancer, (sometimes referred to as asbestos cancer) a fatal disease that has affected a great number of now-retired shipyard employees.
Ships built by Fore River Shipyard:
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
