Evansville's World War II Effort

Evansville's World War II Effort. . Evansville proved herself as an all-American town in World War II. The labor force grew from 17,000 to 76,000 men and women who gave their best to the war effort. Evansville was the site of the Evansville Shipyard, operated by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company. The firm produced LSTs (Landing Ship, Tanks) and other watercraft for the U.S. Navy to carry men and material to various theaters of operation. LSTs could travel at 9 knots for 6,000 miles! , Construction of the 45-acre shipyard commenced in March, 1942, and the first LST was launched in October of that same year. , A total of 167 were manufactured. After operating seven-days-a-week and twenty-four-hours-a-day for 44 months, the Evansville Shipyard launched its last LST-type vessel on April 20, 1945. , The last ship sailed from Evansville on Dec 12, 1945. The shipyard suffered a major fire in January 1946. Over the next few years, the federal government disposed of equipment, structures, land and supplies through distribution to other naval bases or direct sale to bidders. By 1949, the last parcel of land was returned to civilian ownership. , A number of other manufacturers supported the war effort in Evansville, at least 230 had contracts. , The Chrysler Corporation focused its efforts on two war-essential tasks, producing ammunition and reconditioning M-4 Sherman tanks and army transport trucks. , Republic Aviation, the maker of P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes, broke ground for its facility south of the airport in 1942. The first plane was complete five months later. In all, the plant produced over 5,500 P-47 fighters., The efforts of the men and women of the Evansville shipyard are celebrated at the Evansville Museum's permanent exhibition, “Answering the Call”. , A decommissioned tank landing ship, USS LST-325 was permanently docked on the Ohio River in Evansville, Indiana on October 1, 2005. Launched in 1942, LST-325 operated in the North Africa area, at the invasion of Sicily and participated in D-Day at Omaha Beach. Today, visitors may tour LST-325, which is visible from this location, looking to the east. , By the Way: One wartime shipyard subcontractor was the George L. Mesker Company. The former Evansville firm was known for its nineteenth-century cast iron storefronts. The Masker Co. also produced gun foundations and deck houses for the LSTs. , [Captions (left to right)] , . Hundreds of hard workers cover the completed LST. Evanston Museum of Arts, History and Sciences , . Female welder Miss Cora Gilbert and Clyde Barlow. Evanston Museum of Arts, History and Sciences , . LST ready for launching, surrounded by others in production. Evanston Museum of Arts, History and Sciences , . Republic (Serval) Plant. Willard Library Archives