Workers gather to watch a launching ceremony.
Image: Library of Congress
In 1941, the United States Maritime Commission ordered the establishment of emergency shipyards to build cargo ships for the U.S. and Britain that could be assembled as cheaply and rapidly as possible to replace losses from German torpedoes.
The Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard on Baltimore Harbor was established in February and quickly set 27,000 employees to work building these new “Liberty ships."
Each Liberty ship was designed to carry over 10,000 tons of cargo, but often carried far more to meet wartime needs.
The construction process was streamlined to the point where in some cases an entire vessel could be welded together and ready to launch in less than a month.
On Sept. 27, 1941, the first Liberty ship, SS Patrick Henry, was launched from Bethlehem-Fairfield in a ceremony led by President Roosevelt.
Over the next four years, the shipyard churned out 384 Liberty ships, plus 94 larger and faster Victory ships and 45 amphibious landing ships.
Image: Library of Congress
Liberty ships at anchor await final fitting and rigging.
Image: Library of Congress
Workers climb a ladder on the outfitting pier.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
An arc welder.
Image: Library of Congress
A worker welds a floor to a vertical keel.
Image: Library of Congress
Erecting bottom shell plates.
Image: Library of Congress
A chipper removes excess metal from a welded seam aboard the Liberty ship Frederick Douglass.
Image: Library of Congress
Way No. 8 of the shipyard, with the Frederick Douglass in the early stages of construction.
Image: Library of Congress
Storing miscellaneous bulkheads in a stockyard.
Image: Library of Congress
Working on interbottom units.
Image: Library of Congress
Shaft alley sections.
Image: Library of Congress
Burning off excess steel plate.
Image: Library of Congress
The bow of a nearly completed ship.
Image: Library of Congress
A pipefitter.
Image: Library of Congress
A welder rests during his lunch hour.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
A shipyard worker.
Image: Library of Congress
A shipyard worker shows off a war bond.
Image: Library of Congress
A welder enjoys some ice cream.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Erecting bottom shell plates.
Image: Library of Congress
Erecting a flat keel.
Image: Library of Congress
Workers tighten bolts with a pneumatic wrench in the belly of the Frederick Douglass.
Image: Library of Congress
A worker with a personal monogram on his overalls.
Image: Library of Congress
Rod welders work on the Liberty ship Frederick Douglass.
Image: Library of Congress
Rivet heater Willie Smith poses in a porthole on the Frederick Douglass.
Image: Library of Congress
Men work on the Frederick Douglass.
Image: Library of Congress
Electric welders.
Image: Library of Congress
A welder on the night shift.
Image: Library of Congress
Day 2: Keel plates are laid.
Image: Library of Congress
Day 6 : Bulkheads and girders below second deck are in place.
Image: Library of Congress
Day 14: Upper deck is in place.
Image: Library of Congress
Day 24: Ship is ready for launch.
Image: Library of Congress
Workers gather for a ship launching ceremony.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Workers grease the outboard end of a way before a launching.
Image: Library of Congress
The bow of a vessel just before a launching party.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
The SS John W. Brown is launched. This ship is one of only two Liberty ships remaining in operation today.
Image: Library of Congress
After a launch, workers fill the way and prepare to build another ship.
Image: Library of Congress
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