Ingalls Shipbuilding History and Legacy

Close-up of a Wodaabe individual with vibrant face paint and traditional attire in Ingall, Niger.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a Wodaabe individual with vibrant face paint and traditional attire in Ingall, Niger.

Ingalls Shipbuilding has a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1938, it was a major player in the US shipbuilding industry during World War II.

The shipyard was initially a subsidiary of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, but it quickly gained recognition for its innovative designs and efficient production methods.

The Ingalls Shipbuilding yard has been a critical component in the US Navy's fleet, producing a wide range of ships, including aircraft carriers, cruisers, and destroyers.

One of Ingalls' most notable achievements was the construction of the USS Alabama, a battleship that served in World War II and the Korean War.

History of Ingalls Shipbuilding

Ingalls Shipbuilding was founded in 1938 by Robert Ingersoll Ingalls Sr. in Pascagoula, Mississippi, on the east bank of the Pascagoula River.

The shipyard initially produced commercial ships, but its business picked up quickly as World War II approached, and the military needed more vessels.

Credit: youtube.com, Ingalls Shipbuilding Early Years

In 1957, Ingalls Shipbuilding won a big contract with the U.S. Navy to produce 12 nuclear attack submarines.

During the 1960s, the shipyard added a variety of ships to its construction lineup, including destroyers, warships, submarine tenders, and additional nuclear submarines.

Ingalls Shipbuilding reached a high point of employment in 1977, with 27,280 workers.

The devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 slowed business at the shipyard, even though most of its ships in dock avoided serious damage.

In 2011, Northrop Grumman spun off all of the shipyards it owned, including Ingalls Shipbuilding, and they became Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII).

Here's a list of some of the notable ships built by Ingalls Shipbuilding:

  • USS George Clymer, which took part in Liberty Fleet Day on 27 September 1941
  • Destroyers, including the USS John Finn, USS Ralph Johnson, USS Paul Ignatius, and USS Delbert D. Black
  • Amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha
  • National Security Cutters for the US Coast Guard

Today, Ingalls Shipbuilding is the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi and a major contributor to the economic growth of Alabama, employing over 11,000 employees.

Shipbuilding Operations

Ingalls Shipbuilding has a rich history of shipbuilding operations. Founded in 1938, the company has been designing, building, and maintaining ships for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard for over 85 years.

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Credit: youtube.com, Inside Ingalls | Operations Resource Centers

The company's largest shipbuilding division is located in Pascagoula, Mississippi, where they employ over 11,000 employees. This makes Ingalls the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi. The site is a major contributor to the economic growth of Alabama.

Ingalls Shipbuilding has built a variety of ships, including amphibious assault ships, destroyers, and cutters. They are currently building four classes of ships simultaneously. Their largest supplier of U.S. Navy surface combatants, Ingalls is a leading shipbuilder in the industry.

Here are some of the types of ships Ingalls has built:

  • Amphibious assault ships
  • Destroyers
  • Cutters

Ships Built

In Decatur, Alabama, Ingalls Shipbuilding built barges and type B ship barges from 1930 to 1980.

The shipyard produced barges for several decades, showcasing its ability to adapt to changing industry needs.

Ingalls Shipbuilding's focus on barges and type B ship barges highlights the versatility of shipbuilding operations.

The shipyard's production spanned over 50 years, demonstrating its commitment to the craft.

Ingalls Shipbuilding was sold to Trinity Industries in 1980, marking a significant change for the shipyard.

This sale ultimately led to the closure of the shipyard in 1981.

Divisions

Credit: youtube.com, The Giant Dance of Hulls, Cranes & Launches. Shipbuilding & Logistics Documentary

Shipbuilding Operations are carried out by several divisions across the country, each with its own specialized focus.

The Newport News Shipbuilding division, located in Newport News, Virginia, is a major player in the U.S. Navy's nuclear aircraft carrier and submarine programs, as well as refueling and complex overhaul of these vessels.

Ingalls Shipbuilding, based in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is responsible for building surface combatants and amphibious warships for the U.S. Navy, as well as National Security Cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Mission Technologies, a division with a wide range of expertise, supports unified combatant commands, the U.S. Navy fleet, and the USAF and Air National Guard with training support, software engineering, and IT solutions.

Here are the divisions and their respective areas of focus:

  • Newport News Shipbuilding: U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers, submarines, refueling and complex overhaul, carrier inactivation
  • Ingalls Shipbuilding: U.S. Navy surface combatants, amphibious warships, and U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutters
  • Mission Technologies: U.S. unified combatant command support, U.S. Navy fleet support, USAF and Air National Guard training support, software engineering and IT solutions, cybersecurity, other DoD training, unmanned systems, intelligence analysis, Department of Energy nuclear operations, nuclear fabrication, oil and gas services

Facilities

HII operates facilities in several key locations across the US, allowing them to efficiently manage their shipbuilding operations.

HII's facilities in Newport News, Virginia, are a hub for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as refueling and complex overhaul services.

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Credit: youtube.com, Mega world-class shipbuilding facility

One of the most notable facilities is Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia.

Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is another key location, where they build U.S. Navy surface combatants and amphibious assault ships, as well as U.S. Coast Guard national security cutters.

HII also has facilities in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where they provide fleet support and training services.

They have a presence in San Diego, California, where they offer fleet support and repair services.

HII's facility in Huntsville, Alabama, is focused on modeling and simulation, training, and professional services.

Additionally, they have a facility in Fairfax, Virginia, that specializes in IT and cybersecurity services.

Here are some of the key facilities operated by HII:

  • Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia
  • Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi
  • Virginia Beach, Virginia
  • San Diego, California
  • Huntsville, Alabama
  • Fairfax, Virginia

shipbuilding

Ingalls Shipbuilding is a major player in the shipbuilding industry, employing over 11,000 employees and serving as the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi.

HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding has been in operation for 85 years, designing, building, and maintaining amphibious ships, destroyers, and cutters for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Credit: youtube.com, Revolutionizing Shipbuilding: A Journey with Lisa Elles | The Operations Science Podcast | Ep 109

Kari Wilkinson is the executive vice president of HII and president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, overseeing all programs and operations at Ingalls, including the U.S. Navy's amphibious assault and surface combatant ship programs.

Ingalls Shipbuilding is currently building four classes of ships, making it the largest supplier of U.S. Navy surface combatants.

Here's a breakdown of the divisions under HII:

  • Newport News Shipbuilding, located in Newport News, Virginia, specializes in U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers, submarines, refueling and complex overhaul, and carrier inactivation.
  • Ingalls Shipbuilding, located in Pascagoula, Mississippi, focuses on U.S. Navy surface combatants, amphibious warships, and U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutters.
  • Mission Technologies provides support for U.S. unified combatant command, U.S. Navy fleet support, USAF and Air National Guard training support, software engineering and IT solutions, cybersecurity, and other DoD training, unmanned systems, intelligence analysis, Department of Energy nuclear operations, and nuclear fabrication.

Specific Ship Classes

Ingalls Shipbuilding has a long history of delivering high-quality ships to the U.S. Navy. They've built and delivered 31 ships, with four more under construction.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are a notable example of their work, with Ingalls Shipbuilding winning a $5.1 billion contract to build six additional ships in 2018. The first Flight III ship, Jack. H. Lucas (DDG-125), started fabrication on 7 May 2018.

Ingalls has also been responsible for building the entire San Antonio class of ships, with 15 delivered so far, including the USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), which was delivered in March 2022.

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Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers

Credit: youtube.com, How Does The Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer Compare To Other Destroyers? - Tactical Warfare Experts

Ingalls Shipbuilding has a long history of building Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, having delivered 31 ships to the U.S. Navy and currently having four more under construction.

The Aegis Combat System is a key feature of these destroyers, providing advanced combat capabilities.

In 2018, Ingalls Shipbuilding won a $5.1 billion multi-year contract to build six additional DDG-51s, which will feature the Aegis Combat System.

The first Flight III ship, Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125), began fabrication on May 7, 2018.

The Paul Ignatius (DDG-117) is scheduled for commissioning on July 27, 2018, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Lpd San Antonio-class

The LPD San Antonio-class is a remarkable addition to the Navy's 21st century amphibious assault force, with HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding building the entire class of ships.

LPDs 17 to 28 have been delivered to the U.S. Navy, with the latest, USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), delivered in March 2022.

The San Antonio-class is a significant part of the Navy's fleet, with 16 ships planned, including the third Flight II LPD, LPD 32, which is currently under construction.

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Credit: youtube.com, San Antonio Class: The Warship That Exposed the Depth of US Navy’s Budget Problem

Ingalls received a $1.3 billion modification to a previously awarded contract for the procurement of LPD 32, showcasing the importance of this class of ships.

These ships are crucial for amphibious operations, and their design and construction are a testament to the Navy's commitment to modernizing its fleet.

The San Antonio-class ships are built by HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding, which has a proven track record of delivering high-quality ships to the Navy.

US Coast Guard and Other Projects

Ingalls Shipbuilding has a significant presence in the US Coast Guard, providing the Legend-class National Security Cutters, the flagships of the Coast Guard's cutter fleet.

These cutters are designed to replace the 378-foot Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters, which entered service during the 1960s. The National Security Cutter is the first new design for the service in 20 years.

The current Program of Record is for 11 ships, with the first nine successfully delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard, including Ingalls' ninth NSC, Stone (WMSL 758), which was delivered in November 2020.

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Credit: youtube.com, Ingalls Shipbuilding | Their Mission. Our Purpose.

Two more contracts were awarded to Ingalls in December 2018, valued at $468.75 million and $462.13 million, respectively, for the 10th and 11th NSCs. Unfortunately, the 11th cutter's contract was cancelled on June 5, 2025, due to continued delays past the 2024 delivery date.

HII received $5.4 billion in new contract awards in 2023, resulting in a backlog of approximately $49 billion, a testament to the company's continued success in the shipbuilding industry.

Asbestos Lawsuits

Ingalls Shipbuilding has a history of asbestos exposure that has led to numerous lawsuits. Over 3,000 former workers had filed asbestos lawsuits against the shipyard by 1991.

Ingalls acknowledged asbestos exposure at the job site, but this didn't excuse them from a massive number of asbestos-related lawsuits. In most cases, workers filed lawsuits against the asbestos manufacturers, but Ingalls itself was also a centerpiece of many major lawsuits.

If you or a loved one worked at Ingalls and now has an asbestos illness, you have a right to seek compensation. Your lawyer can review your case and provide invaluable advice.

Credit: youtube.com, Asbestos Exposure at Ingalls Shipbuilding | Asbestos.net

Ingalls workers were exposed to asbestos through various components, including insulation, pipes, boilers, cement, pumps, gaskets, valves, sealing, packing, and textiles.

To seek compensation, you might file a lawsuit against a company responsible for your exposure, or make a claim with an asbestos trust fund. Your lawyer can help you track down the asbestos companies that supplied Ingalls when you worked there.

Here's a list of some of the asbestos components Ingalls workers handled:

  • Insulation
  • Pipes
  • Boilers
  • Cement
  • Pumps
  • Gaskets
  • Valves
  • Sealing
  • Packing
  • Textiles

If you have a mesothelioma diagnosis, don't hesitate to contact a lawyer who can help. The time to act is limited.

Worker Killed, Another Charged in Mississippi Shipyard Shooting

A tragic incident occurred at the Ingalls Shipbuilding yard in Mississippi, where a worker lost their life in a shooting.

One person has been charged in connection with the shooting, which is still under investigation.

The incident highlights the importance of workplace safety and security.

The Ingalls Shipbuilding yard is a major employer in the region, with a long history of producing naval vessels.

A thorough investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The incident is a stark reminder of the risks and dangers that workers may face in certain industries.

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Today and Legacy

Credit: youtube.com, Ingalls Shipbuilding President, Kari Wilkinson | People • Community • Legacy

Ingalls Shipbuilding has been a major player in the US Navy's fleet for decades. The company is responsible for building and repairing some of the most advanced warships in the world.

Ingalls Shipbuilding has a long history of innovation, dating back to its founding in 1938. The company has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality ships on time and on budget.

Today, Ingalls Shipbuilding is a leading provider of naval ships, with a workforce of over 11,000 employees. The company operates two major shipyards in Mississippi and Alabama, with a combined total of over 2 million square feet of manufacturing space.

Ingalls Shipbuilding has a strong commitment to the US Navy, with a focus on building ships that meet the Navy's evolving needs. The company has a proven track record of delivering ships that are equipped with the latest technology and systems.

Ingalls Shipbuilding's legacy extends far beyond its impressive list of shipbuilding achievements. The company has played a significant role in the development of the US Navy's fleet, and its ships have been involved in numerous historic events and operations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who builds the United States military ships?

Huntington Ingalls Industries is the largest military shipbuilding company in the United States, responsible for constructing the country's naval vessels. They provide professional services to government and industry partners, supporting national defense efforts.

Timothy Gutkowski-Stoltenberg

Senior Writer

Timothy Gutkowski-Stoltenberg is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he has established himself as a versatile and reliable voice in the industry. His writing portfolio showcases a breadth of expertise, with a particular focus on the freight market trends.

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