Brunswick in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Brunswick's "Liberty Ships"
During World War II, the J.A. Jones Construction Company operated a plant approx. 1 mile south of this point on Brunswick's waterfront. Between 1942 and 1944, a skilled labor force of over 16,000 men and women worked in service to the Allied war effort, producing 99 steel vessels for the U.S. Merchant Marines. These vessels served as both cargo and troop carriers, and their reputation for keeping vital supply lines open earned them the name of "Liberty Ships."
Each month, dedicated shipyard workers produced four of these 447-foot, 3500-ton steel vessels. During December, 1944, with the "Battle of the Bulge" raging in Europe, the Navy requested six ships. In response, these determined patriots built an astounding seven "Liberty Ships".
The J.A. Jones Construction Company and the people they employed in Brunswick's shipyards came to symbolize the patriotic duty and tireless efforts of America's wartime home front.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.
Location. 31° 8.923′ N, 81° 29.833′ W. Marker is in Brunswick, Georgia, in Glynn County. Marker is at the intersection of Bay Street and Gloucester Street, on the left when traveling north on Bay Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brunswick GA 31520, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. World War II Memorial (here, next to this marker); Machen Square West (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jekyll Square West (about 600 feet away); Machen Square East (about 700 feet away); Bernice Echols Grant (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Machen Square East (about 700 feet away); Jekyll Square East (about 700 feet away); Liberty Tree (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brunswick.
Regarding Brunswick's "Liberty Ships". During the Second World War, The J.A. Jones Construction Company assembled Liberty Ships at the southern tip of the Brunswick peninsula. These Liberty ships transported supplies to soldiers in the European and Pacific theatres. in December 1944, the shipyard employees constructed seven ships in one month, setting an unbroken record. Working on Christmas Day for no pay, this accomplishment was no small feat as the facility only contained berths for six ships undergoing construction. Remains of the berths are visible at low tide from the Sidney Lanier Bridge.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Liberty Ships. Early on, each ship took about 230 days to build (Patrick Henry took 244 days), but the average eventually dropped to 42 days (Submitted on October 4, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
2. Wikipedia entry for The United States Merchant Marine. refers to the fleet of US civilian-owned merchant ships—operated by either the government or the private sector, that are engaged in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. (Submitted on October 4, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,072 times since then and 89 times this year. Last updated on December 20, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 4, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.