Marine Log - November 2008 - (Page 24)

130th ANNIVERSARY SHIPBUILDING ISSUE ICE The early 1940’s was a time of fear, war and change. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. was forced to enter World War II. With men off fighting overseas, it was up to those left behind to keep the U.S. war effort moving forward. In our April 1942 issue of MARINE ENGINEERING AND SHIPPING REVIEW, the then Chairman of the United States Maritime Commission, Emory S. Land, stated “This is a war of ships! American shipbuilders and ship workers hold the destiny and freedom of the nation in their hands.” As those words were published, thousands of women and minorities were making their way to factories and shipyards to help in the war effort. “Eager to back up the men at the front, a corps of determined women war workers is turning out ships’ turbines to strengthen Uncle Sam’s wartime merchant marine” was stated in our November 1942 edition. “The turbine plant has been in operation less than a year, but it’s ‘ladies in industry’ have clearly shown the value of women as soldiers on the production front.” And with the help of these new members entering the workforce, shipyards were able to set records on newbuilds. Between 1941 and 1942, shipyard production had more than tripled. There was an increase of 65% of sea-going merchant vessels. And by April 1943, the first four months of the year saw shipyards producing a record-breaking number of ships, with 536 produced between January 1943 and April 1943— the total number of tonnage nearly equaled the amount produced by shipyards in the first nine months of 1942. In April 1943 alone, 34 shipyards had produced a total number of 157 ships of 1,606,600 dwt. All shipyards saw previous records shattered that year. WENDY THE WELDER Women took their new roles as members of the workforce seriously. Some attended and graduated from welding courses, while others had on-the-job training. Our 1943 archives are filled with articles on women’s expanding roles in the marine industry—female naval architects and engineers were aiding the war effort, doing as much as they could to CLASS TANKERS 1942 THE LADIES HELP IN THE WAR EFFORT This photo, from MARINE help a nation in need. But it ENGINEERING was the women at the shipAND SHIPyards—who called themselves PING REVIEW, “Wendy the Welder”— that had circa 1943, the most impact. showcased In an April 1943 article by how a woman Beatrice Oppenheim, Women at a shipyard Workers in the Shipyards —in should dress an article that first ran in “Independent Woman” and later published in MARINE ENGINEERING AND SHIPPING REVIEW—Oppenheim discussed how women of varying ages and races were taking on a variety of roles at the yards. She stated: “It has been little more than a year since the tradition that stout ships must be built by strong men was first challenged. Now, at least 23,000 members of the ‘weaker sex’ have joined the work crews, and the prediction is that by the end of 1944, 225,000 women will be among the 1,500,000 workers needed in the nation’s commercial and Navy shipyards to speed us to victory.” Richmond Kaiser Shipyards in California was just one of the yards that had an abundance of female workers. The yard is now part of the Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park. It’s sole purpose during WWII was to turn out EC2 ships from keel laying to delivery in 65 to 75 days. ATTIRE Our archives also featured articles on what was appropriate yard attire for women. From our April 1943 issue: “Streamlining working garments for women in shipyards is essentially a safety measure but it automatically adds a note of chic.” “For safety and efficiency they wear slacks, blouses and hairnets. Shoes with reinforced toes protect their feet from accidental injury.” 24 MARINE LOG NOVEMBER 2008 www.marinelog.com http://www.edbg.com http://www.edbg.com http://www.marinelog.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Marine Log - November 2008

Marine Log - November 2008 Contents Editorial Second Thoughts Update Inside Washington Looking Back at 130 Years Generation NeXt What's Ahead? Media Kit 2009 Defying the Naysayers Rampant Piracy Takes Shipping Hostage The Last Chapter of the New Carissa International Workboat Show Preview Newsmakers Tech News Contracts Events Website Directory ML Buyer's Guide ML Marketplace Marine Salvage

Marine Log - November 2008

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