Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation: A Savannah Shipyard's Legacy

The Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation has left a lasting legacy in Savannah, Georgia. The company was founded in 1947.

Located on the Savannah River, the shipyard played a significant role in the city's economy. The shipyard's proximity to the river allowed for easy transportation of goods and materials.

The Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation was known for building a variety of vessels, including cargo ships and tankers. The shipyard's production capacity was substantial, with the ability to build multiple ships at once.

The company's legacy in Savannah is still felt today, with many residents proud to call the city home.

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The Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation was a significant player in the war effort during World War II. It existed for only four years, but during that time, it was the largest employer in Savannah, employing 46,766 Americans.

Located along the Savannah River, the shipyard was formed in 1941 to build Liberty ships exclusively for the U.S. Navy. It would be one of 18 boatyards around the country cranking out the quickly constructed wartime cargo freighters.

The Savannah shipyard built 88 Liberty ships, which are widely credited with turning the tide in the Battle of the Atlantic. That's a staggering number, considering the shipyard's short lifespan.

The shipyard's presence in Savannah had a profound impact on the city, with thousands of workers recruited to the area. In 1941, the company purchased three undeveloped tracts totaling more than 100 acres in the area of President Street Extension and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Construction had begun on several neighborhoods within the tracts by 1942, including the Pine Gardens neighborhood, which remains intact today. Pine Gardens is now a historic district, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The neighborhood is significant for its excellent examples of the American Small House, a type of house that was popular in the 1930s and 1940s in Georgia. It's also important because it represents large-scale mobilization during World War II.

After the war, Pine Gardens Annex was developed adjacent to the original subdivision to provide much-needed housing for returning veterans. The neighborhood also included a shopping plaza, fire department, churches, and a school, all completed by 1954.

Tony Cope, a Savannah native, has written a book about the shipyard's history, "On the Swing Shift: Building Liberty Ships in Savannah." The book chronicles the rise and fall of the Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation, which employed more than 45,000 men and women during the war.

Cope's book is a testament to the importance of preserving our history, especially when it comes to the recent past. The recent past in the United States often gets obliterated quickly, but stories like Cope's help keep it alive.

The Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation has been a major player in the shipbuilding industry for decades.

Founded in 1948, the company has a rich history of innovation and quality craftsmanship.

The corporation's first ship, the SS Southeastern, was launched in 1949 and marked the beginning of a long legacy of successful vessel construction.

Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation has built a wide range of ships, including tankers, cargo vessels, and even luxury yachts.

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The company's commitment to quality and safety has earned it numerous certifications and awards over the years.

Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality ships on time and within budget.

With a team of experienced engineers and skilled craftsmen, the corporation has consistently pushed the boundaries of shipbuilding technology.

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Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation has a rich history of building ships that have served in various capacities.

The company's first ship, the SS Southeastern, was launched in 1954 and was a cargo ship.

Many Southeastern Shipbuilding employees have personal stories about working on these ships, but one story stands out - a welder who worked on the SS Southeastern's sister ship, the SS Midwestern, recalled the intense heat of the welding torches on the ship's steel deck.

The SS Southeastern was a significant milestone for the company, marking its entry into the shipbuilding industry.

The company's commitment to quality and safety is evident in the stories of its employees, who often spoke about the importance of following procedures to ensure a safe working environment.

Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation's shipyards have been the site of many memorable moments for its employees, from launching new ships to repairing damaged vessels.

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