
The American Ship Building Company has a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1874, the company's early years were marked by rapid growth and innovation.
The company's first ship, the SS America, was launched in 1904 and was a significant milestone in its history. It was a passenger liner that marked the beginning of the company's dominance in the shipbuilding industry.
As the company continued to grow, it became known for its high-quality ships and innovative designs. The SS America was just the beginning of a long line of successful vessels built by the American Ship Building Company.
The company's impact on the maritime industry cannot be overstated. Its ships played a crucial role in shaping the course of history, from transporting goods and people during times of war to providing luxury travel experiences for the wealthy.
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History and Notable Ships
American Shipbuilding Company was incorporated in New Jersey in 1899. It began as a consolidation of the Cleveland Ship Building Co., the Ship Owner’s Dry Dock Co., the Globe Iron Works and five other companies in the Great Lakes region.
The company is commonly referred to as AmShip and operated several locations around the United States from 1899 to 1995. The first of American Shipbuilding Company’s shipyards was in Cleveland, Ohio.
By 1952, the company was the largest shipbuilder on the Great Lakes. The USS Redwood, a military ship, was one of the notable vessels built by American Shipbuilding Company.
Notable Ships
The USS Redwood was a remarkable ship built by the American Shipbuilding Company in Cleveland, Ohio. It was laid down in 1940 and served as a yard net tender in the British West Indies, installing torpedo nets in Trinidad until 1943.
One of the USS Redwood's notable assignments was in the British West Indies, where it installed torpedo nets in Trinidad from 1940 to 1943. This was a crucial role in protecting Allied ships from enemy attacks.
In 1944, the USS Redwood was reclassified as a net laying ship, expanding its capabilities in the war effort. This change allowed it to play a more significant role in the Allied victory.
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The USS Redwood's time in the war was marked by heavy asbestos use on Navy ships, putting those who served on it at risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos-related diseases can be a serious health concern for those who were exposed.
After the war, the USS Redwood was decommissioned in 1947 and transferred to the Maritime Administration's National Defense Reserve Fleet in 1961.
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History of Shipbuilding
The American Ship Building Co. was incorporated in New Jersey on March 16, 1899, through the consolidation of three Cleveland firms and five other companies in the Great Lakes region.
Globe Iron Works, the oldest of these companies, was established as an iron foundry in 1853 by Samuel Lord and William McClelland. Its first foundry building was located on the northwest corner of Elm and Spruce Streets on the west bank of the Flats.
The Globe Iron Works started a new company called Globe Ship Building Company in 1876, which initially produced only wooden hulled ships. In 1882, Globe Ship Building built and launched the first large commercial ship on the Great Lakes made of iron, the Onoko.
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By 1886, Globe Iron Works became a corporation, and Henry Coffinberry and Robert Wallace left the company to form the Cleveland Ship Building Co. The company occupied the old Cuyahoga Steam Furnace Co. on the west bank of the Flats just south of Center Street.
The American Ship Building Co. prospered in the early 1900s with the steel industry's increased demand for new ore carriers, and by 1952, the company was the largest shipbuilder on the Great Lakes.
During World War II, the company employed more than 2,500 workers, and in 1967, George Steinbrenner, former owner of the New York Yankees, became the chief executive officer of American Shipbuilding Company.
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Health and Safety Concerns
American Shipbuilding Company had a long history of using asbestos in ship construction and equipment, which posed a significant health risk to workers.
Asbestos was used extensively in shipyards from the 1930s to the 1980s, with tons of the mineral being used in shipbuilding.
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Workers who installed or maintained boilers on ships were at high risk of exposure to asbestos, as the mineral was used in insulation and gaskets to control heat.
The use of asbestos in shipyards and on ships led to frequent exposure, particularly for insulators who handled the material during installation and maintenance work.
Asbestos fibers could become airborne and easily inhaled, putting workers and visitors at risk of exposure even today.
Older equipment and ships built before the 1980s may still contain asbestos materials, posing a risk to those who work with or near them.
People who installed, maintained, or replaced insulation were at risk of asbestos exposure, as insulation used in ship walls or interiors often contained high amounts of asbestos.
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Documents and Records
The American Ship Building Company's documents and records are a treasure trove of information, offering a glimpse into the company's history and operations.
The majority of the company's documents are related to land and equipment, with a large portion of these being lease and deed files.
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These documents are a crucial part of the company's history, providing insight into the company's use of land and equipment over the years.
The company's bankruptcy documents are also a notable part of this series, offering a unique perspective on the company's financial struggles.
Union agreements are another important aspect of the company's documents, highlighting the company's relationships with its employees and labor unions.
The original articles of incorporation are also included in this series, providing a foundation for understanding the company's early years and development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who builds ships in the US?
Ingalls is the largest supplier of U.S. Navy surface combatants, building ships for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. They have been designing and building ships for 85 years, with multiple classes of ships under construction simultaneously.
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