Southwest Marine (formerly Bethlehem Shipyard, San Pedro)

Southwest Marine Terminal of San Pedro, California, formerly a Bethlehem Steel shipyard, was established in 1917 and is of the oldest shipbuilding and repair facilities at the Port of Los Angeles.  For years, it was one of the smallest facilities at the Port, surrounded by giants like Todd and Consolidated Shipyards, but it is currently the only one still in existence.

The years during World War II were the busiest times for the old Bethlehem yard.  In 1940, according to shipyard records, Bethlehem embarked, with the Maritime Administration's assistance, on a $4.25 million program to convert its Terminal Island yard into a combined ship repair and shipbuilding plant to meet the requirements of incoming contracts. Facilities were added to the south end of the site, including new shops and warehouses, an outfitting berth, ways with Colby cranes, and a mold loft.

During World War II, Bethlehem built and outfitted 26 destroyers for the U.S. Navy. Historians note that Bethlehem took in an extremely large amount of work during the war and assembled ships so quickly that, on average, it repaired and returned to service two large naval vessels for each workday during the war. 

Though shipbuilding decreased after the war, the San Pedro yard remained active by repairing ships and mothballing US Navy oil tankers.  When steel production spiraled downward in the 1970s and 80s, Bethlehem closed the shipyard.  In 1981, it was purchased by Southwest Marine of San Diego, who still operates it as a repair facility.

Were you a World War II shipbuilder at Bethlehem’s San Pedro yard or did you work repairing old ships after the war?  If so, you were probably exposed to asbestos materials like insulation, gaskets, dry wall, floor and ceiling tiles, and more.  Hasty shipbuilding often meant a lack of regard for the safety of shipbuilders and those who worked for Bethlehem or Southwest Marine may have breathed in toxic materials, like dangerous asbestos fibers.

If you worked at Bethlehem/Southwest Marine and you’ve developed mesothelioma, it’s time to learn more about the disease, its treatment, and any financial assistance available to you.  Order our free Mesothelioma Resource Kit today for more information.