Savannah, Brunswick Shipyards: Key Similarities

The Savannah and Brunswick shipyards played a crucial role during World War II, constructing and launching Liberty ships that delivered vital supplies to America's allies. Both shipyards hired a significant number of women and African Americans, with Brunswick employing up to 16,000 workers and Savannah employing over 15,000. While Brunswick was able to produce ships at a faster pace, Savannah launched more ships during the war, with 88 ships built in Savannah compared to Brunswick's 85.

Brunswick shipyard produced more ships at a faster pace than Savannah

The Brunswick shipyard was able to produce more ships at a faster pace than the Savannah shipyard. During World War II, the Brunswick shipyard constructed 99 ships, 85 of which were Liberty Ships, while the Savannah shipyard produced 88 ships, 85 of which were also Liberty Ships. Both shipyards played a crucial role in the war effort, providing much-needed cargo vessels for the Allied forces.

The Brunswick shipyard had a natural advantage due to its location. Situated 70 miles south of Savannah, Brunswick's natural harbor had a long maritime history even before World War II. The harbor, located at the confluence of three rivers, was ideal for export and trade. When President Franklin Roosevelt announced the Emergency Shipbuilding Program in 1941, Brunswick was selected as one of sixteen ports to build cargo vessels. The shipyard was able to harness its existing infrastructure and experienced workforce to ramp up production quickly.

The company responsible for constructing the Liberty Ships in Brunswick was J.A. Jones Construction, a North Carolina-based company renowned for undertaking large construction projects. The efficiency and speed at which they built the Liberty Ships were remarkable. On average, it took them 89 days to construct a single Liberty Ship, which was a significant improvement from the initial 244 days required to build one in 1941. The Brunswick shipyard had a peak employment number of 16,000 workers, reflecting the scale of its operation.

In contrast, the Savannah shipyard started its Liberty Ship construction a few months after Brunswick. The contract for Liberty Ship construction in Savannah was awarded to the Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation, and the site was located on the Savannah River, just east of the city. Despite starting later, the workers at the Savannah shipyard demonstrated remarkable productivity, initially contracted to build 36 ships but ultimately delivering 88 ships for the war effort.

The race between the shipyards to support the war reflected in the number of ships produced and the speed at which they were constructed. While both shipyards made significant contributions, the Brunswick shipyard's ability to harness its existing advantages, efficient construction processes, and larger workforce allowed it to produce more ships at a faster pace than Savannah.

Savannah launched more ships during the war

During World War II, the Savannah Shipyard in Georgia played a crucial role in the construction of Liberty ships, which were large supply ships that carried much-needed materials and troops to support the war effort. The contract for Liberty Ship construction in Savannah was awarded to the Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation, which took over the yard in 1942 after the previous contractor, Savannah Shipyards Inc., fell behind in their progress.

The Savannah Shipyard was a bustling hub of activity, with workers tirelessly building ships and other vessels to support the war effort. The original contract called for the construction of 36 ships, but the dedicated workers of the Savannah Shipyard exceeded expectations, launching 88 Liberty ships and 18 Type C1 ships by the end of the war. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the men and women who laboured long hours to ensure the timely completion of these ships.

The construction of Liberty ships in Savannah was not without its challenges. The Maritime Commission faced legal troubles when Savannah Shipyards Inc. sued them for the "illegal seizure of their facility," ultimately winning the case and receiving substantial damages. Despite this setback, the new contractors, Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation, persevered and successfully delivered the much-needed ships.

The Savannah Shipyard also served as a port of embarkation for supplies being sent inland, further showcasing its strategic importance during World War II. Local factories in the area contributed to the war effort by producing a variety of military supplies, including asphalt, boxes, paper, bomb casings, and tractor trailers. The nearby Savannah Quartermaster Depot distributed an impressive over 1 million pounds of supplies each year, ensuring that the troops had the necessary resources to face the challenges of war.

In recognition of the significant contributions made by Savannah and Chatham County during World War II, the area was designated as an American World War II Heritage City in 2022. This honour pays tribute to the tireless efforts of the citizens, workers, and servicemen and servicewomen who played a vital role in supporting the war effort. Their dedication and sacrifice will forever be remembered and commemorated.

Both yards hired a lot of women

During World War II, the Savannah and Brunswick shipyards in Georgia were responsible for constructing "Liberty Ships" for the war effort. These ships were large supply vessels that could carry thousands of tons of cargo across the Atlantic Ocean. With much of the male workforce overseas, both shipyards hired a significant number of women to meet the demands of wartime production.

The story of the Surrency sisters, Nanelle, Carobeth, and Lauree, illustrates the important role that women played in the Brunswick shipyard. All three sisters worked as welders, a physically demanding and dangerous job that had previously been filled by men. Despite the risks and challenges, these women took pride in their work, knowing that they were contributing to the war effort. Their father, who was already working at the shipyard, helped them secure housing in Brunswick, and they joined the thousands of people who relocated to the area for employment.

The Surrency sisters' story is just one example of the many women who stepped up to work in shipyards across the country during World War II. At the Brunswick shipyard, women were selected to participate in the ceremonial launch of each ship, wearing their workday attire as a symbolic representation of all the shipyard's employees. The shipyard's first ship, the SS James M. Wayne, was launched in March 1943, and by 1945, the yard had launched 85 Liberty ships.

The Savannah shipyard also relied on the contributions of women workers. The contract for Liberty Ship construction in Savannah was awarded to the Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation, which was formed during World War II specifically for this purpose. Despite initial setbacks, the shipyard ultimately exceeded expectations, building 88 ships for the war effort from 1942 to 1945.

The hiring of women at the Savannah and Brunswick shipyards was a significant aspect of the war effort, demonstrating the important role that women played in supporting the Allies' global campaign.

Savannah built destroyers, Brunswick built cargo ships

During World War II, the Savannah and Brunswick shipyards played a crucial role in supporting the war efforts of the United States and its allies. The shipyards, located in Georgia, had distinct specialisations: Savannah built destroyers, while Brunswick focused on constructing cargo ships.

The Savannah shipyard, operated by the Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation, was responsible for building destroyers, which are warships designed to escort and protect other vessels. The shipyard was established in 1940 and faced initial challenges, leading to a change in contract ownership in 1942. Despite this setback, the Savannah shipyard persevered and successfully built 88 destroyers and 18 Type C1 ships by the end of the war. These destroyers played a vital role in naval battles and patrols during World War II.

On the other hand, the Brunswick shipyard, situated about 70 miles south of Savannah, specialised in constructing cargo ships known as "Liberty Ships." The natural harbor of Brunswick, located at the confluence of three rivers, provided an ideal setting for shipbuilding. The J.A. Jones Construction Company, a North Carolina-based firm, oversaw the construction of these Liberty Ships. The shipyard's efficiency was remarkable, with workers building ships at an incredible pace. On average, it took them 89 days to construct a single Liberty ship, and by 1944, they had reduced this time to just 34 days.

The dedication and sacrifice of the Brunswick shipyard workers were exemplary. In December 1944, they volunteered to build an extra ship for the Navy without expecting additional pay, even working on Christmas Day to meet their goal. Between 1943 and 1945, the Brunswick shipyard constructed 99 Liberty ships, each measuring 447 feet in length. These cargo vessels, with no names painted on their bows to maintain secrecy, sailed across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, carrying vital equipment and supplies for the Allied forces.

The contributions of women workers in both shipyards cannot be overstated. As men were sent to battlefields overseas, women stepped up to fill their roles, taking on physically demanding tasks such as welding. Their proficiency and dedication helped increase production efficiency, reducing the construction time for a ship at the Brunswick shipyard from over a year to under two months. The collective efforts of these women played a significant role in the Allied victory.

Liberty Ships were built in both yards

During World War II, Liberty Ships were built in both the Savannah and Brunswick shipyards in Georgia. The Liberty Ship was a class of cargo ship built in the United States during the war under the Emergency Shipbuilding Program. The program was announced by President Franklin Roosevelt in January 1941, and the Brunswick shipyard was chosen as one of sixteen ports to construct cargo vessels to aid the Allied forces in Europe.

The Brunswick shipyard was located in a natural harbour, at the confluence of three rivers, 70 miles south of Savannah. Before the war, this harbour was used for trade, exporting goods such as cotton and rice. After the US entered the war, the Brunswick shipyard built 85 Liberty Ships between 1941 and 1945, out of a total of 99 ships. The construction of these ships was undertaken at great speed, with an average construction time of 89 days per ship. The company responsible for building the Liberty Ships in Brunswick was J.A. Jones Construction, a North Carolina-based company known for undertaking large construction projects. The Brunswick shipyard employed 16,000 workers at its peak, with many women joining the workforce as men were sent overseas.

Savannah was the other site in Georgia chosen for Liberty Ship construction. The contract was awarded to the Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation, and construction took place on a Savannah River site just east of the city. Although the original contract was for 36 ships, the shipyard workers built 88 ships for the war effort from 1942 to 1945. Like Brunswick, the Savannah shipyard also hired a large number of women, as well as many African Americans.

In total, 173 Liberty Ships were launched from the Savannah and Brunswick shipyards during World War II. These ships played a crucial role in delivering supplies, including trucks, tanks, ammunition, aircraft, and heavy machinery, to America's allies.

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