Former Site of Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation (Seattle, Washington)

 Second World War 1939-1945, navy, shipyard, shipbuilding

Built on the site of the original Todd Pacific Shipyards, which had shut down after WWI, Seattle-Tacoma Shibuilding Corp was given $9 Million dollar grant in 1940 from the US Gov't to build a shipyard capable of producing Destroyers and Merchant Marine craft in response to escalating world tensions leading up to WWII. The US Navy contributed a further $15 Million to the yard facilities in order to speed up the contruction of its slipways, outfitting docks and related infrastructure.

The first keels laid at the new 'Sea-Tac' yard were for 10 new Gleaves Class Destroyers in mid 1941, and within half a year and the country now at war, the yard retooled for production of the new Fletcher Class of Destroyers. Eventually, the yard would go on to produce 21 Fletcher Class, 5 Allen Sumner and 10 Gearing Class Destroyers during WWII, placing it 3rd on the list of largest Destroyer producer of US Shipyards.

As WWII raged on, the War Shipping Administration began to consolidate its holdings in US Shipyards, and Sea-Tac was absorbed into the operations of Todd Dry Dock & Construction in 1942. Under its new ownership the yard was greatly expanded ton include 10 active slipways and construction on Merchant Vessels was increased, particularly on the Maritime Commission 'C' Type hull cargo ships, which were converted into Bouge Class Escort Aircraft Carriers. This yard would go on to produce the majority of the 45-member Bouge Class, with many of the ships seeing combat for both the US & Royal Navy.

Following WWII the yard continued to provide shipbuilding and ship repair services to the US Government and commercial interests, though its size was cut in half in the 1960's as the Northeastern section was incorporated into the Port of Seattle. The yard operates today as Todd Pacific Shipyards.

www.destroyerhistory.org/destroyers/seattle-tacoma.html

For a complete list of ships built here, please see:
www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/2large/in...