Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Fitting-Out Dock

Shipshape and Cargo-Ready

— 1918-1921 —

The Fitting-Out Dock Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 7, 2012

1. The Fitting-Out Dock Marker

Inscription. This dock, constructed of reinforced concrete on concrete and wood pilings, was once the last stop for cargo ships under construction at Jones Point's World War I shipyard. Here, ships received final fittings before heading out for service. The dock featured a derrick—a crane-like device—to move construction materials, equipment, instruments and fittings on and off ships. The U.S. Government contracted the Virginia Shipbuilding Corporation to build 12 vessels, but only 9 of these were completed.

The ship-shaped lawn on your left is the size of the SS Gunston Hall, the first ship to be built by the Virginia Shipbuilding Corporation at Jones Point.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I.

Location. 38° 47.67′ N, 77° 2.368′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. Marker can be reached from Jones Point Drive, 0.3 miles east of South Royal Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker at the north end of Jones Point Park along the Potomac River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Race to Build Ships on Jones Point (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Tale of Three Jurisdictions

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(about 600 feet away); Welcome to Jones Point Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Potomac Connections (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mount Vernon Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War I-Era Rudder (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mountains of Materials and Massive Manpower (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Alexandria Marine Railway (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 7, 2012

2. The Fitting-Out Dock Marker

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 7, 2012

3. The Fitting-Out Dock Marker

SS Gunston Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 7, 2012

4. SS Gunston Hall

On the Job for Victory image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 7, 2012

5. On the Job for Victory

The U. S Emergency Fleet Corporation urged shipbuilders to take their work as seriously as soldiers fighting in the trenches. Although the Great War ended before the first ship, the SS Gunston Hall, was completed and launched in May 1919, every ship built here was commissioned into active service.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 746 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on December 28, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 21, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.