Vancouver Shipyard facts for kids

Escort carriers at the Vancouver Shipyard in 1943

The USS Gambier Bay CVE-73, an escort carrier that was made in the Vancouver Shipyard

The Vancouver Shipyard was a very important place built quickly during World War II. It was located along the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington. This shipyard was created to help the U.S. Maritime Commission (a government group that ordered ships) get enough ships made for the war.

The Vancouver Shipyard was one of three large shipyards in the Pacific Northwest run by a company called Kaiser Shipyards. The other two were the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation and the Swan Island Shipyard, both located across the Columbia River in Portland, Oregon. The Vancouver Yard started building ships in early 1942 and covered a huge area, almost 200 acres. It built five different kinds of ships, but its most famous were the Casablanca-class escort carriers. These were smaller aircraft carriers used to protect convoys and support troops.

Building Ships for the War

The Vancouver Shipyard was designed to build ships very quickly. It was an "emergency" shipyard because the country needed many ships fast for the war effort. The workers at the shipyard built many different types of vessels.

What Kind of Ships Were Built?

The shipyard was known for building five main types of ships. The most important and numerous were the Casablanca-class escort carriers. These were smaller, faster-to-build aircraft carriers. They were vital for protecting other ships from enemy submarines and planes during the war. The shipyard also built other cargo ships and tankers that carried supplies and fuel.

How Many Ships Were Made?

The Vancouver Shipyard was incredibly productive. It built a large number of ships in a short time. This helped the United States have enough ships to transport soldiers, supplies, and aircraft across the oceans during World War II.

A City Built for Workers

Building so many ships needed a huge number of workers. The Vancouver Shipyard started with about 38,000 people working there. To house all these new workers and their families, a special city called Vanport, Oregon was built nearby. Vanport was designed to be a temporary city, but it grew very quickly and became a large community. It had homes, schools, and shops for the shipyard workers.

The Shipyard's Later Years

After World War II ended, the need for so many ships decreased. The Vancouver Shipyard, which had been built for the war emergency, was eventually sold. It was bought by a company called Gilmore Steel for $3.25 million. This marked the end of its time as a major shipbuilding center.

Images for kids

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  Escort carriers at the Vancouver Shipyard in 1943

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  The USS Gambier Bay CVE-73, an escort carrier that was made in the Vancouver Shipyard