New York Shipbuilding Corporation

Despite its name, the New York Shipbuilding (NYS) Company was actually located in Camden, New Jersey, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia.  The yard was originally scheduled to be built on Staten Island but owner Henry G. Morse changed his mind and decided Camden provided a better location.

The shipyard opened in 1900 and immediately began producing vessels of varying sorts, including oil tankers.  Over the years, NYS would produce many of these ships for Gulf Oil Company.  The yard got its first Navy contract in 1903 and built the cruiser Washington for the military.  Many naval contracts would follow during the life of NYS. 

New York Shipbuilding Corporation grew immensely during World War I and the company found it necessary to build communities to accommodate the increase in workers. 

In 1927, NYS built one of its most famous ships, the USS Saratoga.  It was the first fast carrier in the United States Navy and has been regarded as the precursor to the Independence Class carriers.

World War II saw even more Navy contracts and another increase in personnel.  The yard launched 26 heavy combatant ships, 9 light aircraft carriers, 2 destroyer tenders, 3 seaplane tenders, 1 repair ship, 8 light cruisers, 2 battle cruisers, and 1 battleship.  During the years of the war, the yard produced only Navy combatant ships and no privately-owned vessels.  More than 30,000 employees worked at NYS during this time.

When the war ended, business dropped off at NYS.  Though they saw some increased business during the Korean War and the early years of the Vietnam conflict, the yard closed in 1967.  The last ship to be launched from the yard was the USS Kitty Hawk, still in service today.

Through the years, tens of thousands of employees worked at NYS.  They performed all sorts of jobs, from electrician and plumber to boilermaker and pipefitter.  As new ships were built and old ones arrived for repair, workers were often exposed to dangerous materials, such as asbestos.  In the hubbub of producing ships for war, corners may have been cut and employees may have handled asbestos improperly and without benefit of protective gear.  Some have been sickened due to the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

If you were employed at New York Shipbuilding Corporation and have developed mesothelioma due to your responsibilities there, you’ll want to gather information about the disease and its treatment as well as your legal rights.  Order your free Mesothelioma Information Kit today.