Alameda Works Shipyard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alameda Works Shipyard |
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| Alameda County, California | |
Union Iron Works Powerhouse
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| Type | Shipyard |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1900s |
| In use | 1900s–1956 |
| Battles/wars | |
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Union Iron Works Powerhouse
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 Location in Oakland, California
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | Alameda, California |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000793 |
| Added to NRHP | January 10, 1980 |
The Alameda Works Shipyard was once one of the biggest and best-equipped shipyards in the United States. It was located in Alameda, California. A shipyard is a place where ships are built and repaired. Today, the only building left from this huge yard is the Union Iron Works Powerhouse. This building is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of the Alameda Shipyard
How the Shipyard Started
The shipyard began in the early 1900s. It was first built by a company called United Engineering. In 1916, another company, Union Iron Works, bought it. This company later became known as the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation. After this purchase, the shipyard was called the Alameda Works.
Growing Bigger and Busier
The shipyard started small, covering about 7 acres. But it grew much larger, expanding to 75 acres! This huge space allowed them to build up to six large ships at the same time. After 1923, the Alameda Works stopped building new ships. However, they continued to fix ships and use their dry docks. A dry dock is a special area where ships can be brought out of the water for repairs.
World War II Efforts
When World War II began, the shipyard became very important again. It was renamed the Bethlehem Alameda Shipyard. It was modernized and expanded even more. They added new ways to build ships and even housing for the workers. During the war, the shipyard repaired over 1,000 ships. They also built large troop ships called P-2 Admiral-type transport ships. The yard also kept making strong steel parts for buildings.
Closing Down
Shipbuilding at the yard ended in the early 1950s. The entire shipyard officially closed its doors in 1956.
The Union Iron Works Powerhouse
A Special Building's Design
This power station was designed by Frederick Meyer, a famous architect from San Francisco. He designed many powerhouses for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. These were built across Northern California between 1905 and the 1920s.
The Powerhouse is a one-story building. It is about 25 feet tall, 53 feet wide, and 110 feet long. It sits on a strong concrete base. Its design is a simpler version of the Renaissance Revival architecture style. This style was known for making industrial buildings look "beautiful." The San Francisco Bay Area was famous for these types of powerhouses.
Powering the Shipyard
Inside this building were several large generators. These machines created a huge amount of electricity. This power was specifically needed to run all the machinery and operations of the large shipyard.
What It Is Today
Today, this small building no longer powers a shipyard. It has been changed into private office spaces. Because it's private, it is not open for the public to visit.
Images for kids
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Union Iron Works Turbine Machine Shop and shipyard in Alameda
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USS Wickes (DD-75) built at Alameda Works Shipyard in 1917
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Risdon Iron Works Building in 1905
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