Kaiser Shipyard
Kaiser Shipyard is located just north of San Francisco. The shipyard played a very large part in the economy of the area, specifically during the WWII era. Incredibly, 747 vessels were built by this yard during World War II. Kaiser Shipyard had little time or resources to take on any commercial contracts because the demand from the Navy was so great. Some of the first ships ever built at Kaiser Shipyard were used by the British forces before the United States entered the war.
This yard was best known for its quick production and turnaround time. Usually, the shipyard was able to piece together a ship in two thirds the amount of time of other shipyards. This saved the US government time and money. Nearing the end of the Second World War, Kaiser Shipyard was able to construct a Liberty Ship in just over two weeks!
Kaiser Shipyard was founded by Henry Kaiser, who was responsible for constructing dams on the Columbia River. Kaiser realized that he could contribute greatly to the US war effort by turning his attention to ship building. There were three shipyards that were associated with the Kaiser Shipyard. By 1942, employment at the three yards totaled over 76,000 people. Only a year later, as production for the war continued to progress, there were 97,000 men and women that were employed by Kaiser.
By using special methods that other shipyards were not yet using, Kaiser Shipyard was able to dramatically reduce the production times of ships. By the end of the war, the yard in Vancouver had built over 140 ships for the US Navy. These included Liberty cargo ships, tank landing crafts, and aircraft carriers.
The Kaiser Shipyard was one of the first shipbuilding companies to choose assembly line techniques. This opened up the opportunity for women and people of lesser skills to be a part of ship production. This was great for the economy as it allowed people from all walks of life to be a part of the war effort. This also increased productivity.
Kaiser Shipyards brought in employees from across the country. In fact, the population of Richmond, CA is said to have grown by 80,000 during the war. This served to boost not only the shipbuilding industry, but several other businesses in the area as well. It also spawned one of the most innovative methods of childcare of the time. 24-hour childcare centers helped mothers who were working while their husbands were at war.
Unfortunately, the yard was not able to stay operational after the war. After a brief but productive stint, it was forced to close in 1945. However, the contribution that the Kaiser Shipyard made during the war will never be forgotten. It was one of the most productive shipyards of its time.
As with most shipyards of the day, asbestos was used in the construction and maintenance of the ships being built. People who worked as welders, fitters, and electricians were especially prone to asbestos exposure. As asbestos fibers break off from the larger pieces of asbestos, they are inhaled by workers. The particles become lodged in the lungs and organs of workers, leading to asbestosis and mesothelioma. Unfortunately, many people acquired asbestos related diseases after working at Kaiser Shipyards.
