Photo: Panels on the port side of the 'stack'

Photographer: Barry Swackhamer
Taken: April 22, 2016
Caption: Panels on the port side of the 'stack'
Additional Description: Click on this image to enlarge it and view the panels.
Panel Captions (left to right): Well all these ladies from Nebraska and Kansas, and you wonder how these ships came out? Well, I spent 9 years in the Merchant Marines. At first, we didn't want to go aboard. You see, the first ships were riveted and this was a new concept -- welding. Some of them cracked apart. But I did get on one that was built here. We went all over the place. Calcutta, Cuba, Melbourne, Ceylon, South Africa, Rio de Janeiro, Trinidad, New Orleans .. We got into some seas with 40-foot waves that cupped the deck like washboards and wiped away some of the lifeboats. Then we got into some uncharted waters and hit a reef -- it ripped out most of the whole double bottom. I don't know how many hours we were stuck on the reef. Then a huge wave knocked us off. We broke radio silence and they sent a tug and towed us 600 miles. If it hadn't been for that double bottom, I wouldn't be here today. So anyway, those ships were built okay ladies!; My doctor assured me that I didn't have the body structure -- ha! We tacked the beams to the bulkhead. I always liked outdoor work better than cooking and housework.; When they launched a ship it didn't have an engine. They would bring it over to the outfitting dock and fit it with everything human beings would need. People were like ants -- they were everywhere, and there were things all over the place that could burn or hurt you. You had to be very careful. Sometimes you would get there flash burns in you eyes, or sparks would fall into your collar or shoes. We wore goggles, but sometimes I wrapped extra scarves around my neck and wrists. I still have scars from those burns.; Dear Ms. Powers: Recently I read an article in our local newspaper regarding the ROSIE the Riveter Memorial. I was quite interested in the article as my mother worked as a welder in the shipyard in Richmond during World War II. I can remember her going to work and taking my brother and me to day care every day. She would be upset because she had to leaver us. My father worked in the same shipyards and they went together. I can remember her in her welding leathers and helmet. I have several newspapers from that time period that my mother saved. If at all possible, could you include my mother's name on the memorial? I think this is a wonderful thing you are doing. These ladies need recognition for what they did to support the war effort. Her name was: DEATA PRIDEMORE My mother passed away in 1979 at age 61. Thank you; Work Description: (Dates, Type of Work...) Draftsman - August 1943-August 1944 I was recruited in Aug. 1943 by Kaiser representatives of Yard 3, after completing a special "crash course" in Drafting at UC Berkeley. I worked on the Outfitting Dock. My initial job was to change blueprints to reflect revisions already made on the first ships that left the yard, and sometimes went with Maritime Inspectors aboard ship to check areas where improvements could be made. There were constant changes as more efficient methods of shipbuilding were found, and I changed the blueprints as they came. I worked one full year (Aug. 1943 - Aug. 1944) until impending Motherhood made that first BIG step up on the Key System impossible. I left the ranks of women shipyard workers and joined a more normal existence as wife of a Serviceman, Mother and homemaker. Back to Bobby sox and dresses!
Submitted: May 9, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
Database Locator Identification Number: p351793
File Size: 3.368 Megabytes

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