Kaiser Vancouver Shipyard

Many shipyards across the United States during the war years were very involved in supplying ships and other types of vessels for the Navy operations. Kaiser Vancouver Shipyard, located in Vancouver, Washington was among the many shipyards that contributed to war efforts. Its rapid speed and efficient work allowed it to supply one ship a week during World War II. Its ability to produce ships so rapidly allowed it to extend its services to Oregon and California. As a whole, the three locations for Kaiser were able to build over 140 ships for the United States Navy.

Wartime was especially beneficial to the Kaiser business and the shipyard was able to employ over 100,000 workers at the time. Kaiser successfully built cargo ships, tank landing crafts and different types of troop transports using prefabrication methods to speed up the production time of each vessel. This allowed Kaiser to be ahead of all the competition it faced during wartime shipbuilding, Kaiser was able to expand its services even more. By the end of the war, Kaiser Vancouver shipyard not only specialized in shipbuilding but also took part in building roads, dams and mines.

After the shipyard facilities closed after World War II, Kaiser was able to continue business by creating a chain of hospitals so that previous workers for the company were able to maintain their employment. This new endeavor has established Kaiser as one of the leading and largest medical maintenance companies within the United States.

Even though this shipyard could create ships at high speeds and provide the utmost satisfaction for the Navy's needs, there was still concern for toxic substances used in the creation of the ships. Kaiser, like most other shipyards during this time, used asbestos within the dwellings of the ships and in different locations on the bases. Asbestos is a toxic material that if inhaled, could cause serious health complications in later years of life. Workers who were most prone to inhaling asbestos fibers included those in the boiler room and workers who installed installation and plumbing.

Kaiser workers were trained to build vessels very quickly and thus, workers disrupted materials and places that contained asbestos, letting loose thousands of asbestos particles into the air. Many of the dangers of asbestos were not known during the war years, and individuals now experiencing symptoms are in much later stages of life. Mesothelioma and asbestosis are the most prevalent forms of lung illnesses that can be contracted from the inhalation of asbestos fibers. If you or a loved one were employed by the Kaiser Vancouver Shipyard during wartime years, it is important to receive a physical, even if no signs and symptoms are present in order to make possible an early diagnosis.

Ships built by Kaiser Vancouver Shipyard:

Last modified: December 09 2009.