Richmond in WW2 History | World War II Database

20 Dec 1940

United States

The Maritime Commission formally issued contracts to Henry Kaiser and Joseph Todd to build a new shipyard on the east shore of San Francisco Bay in the tidal flats of Richmond, California. The contract also called for Kaiser and Todd to build 30 merchant ships according to a British design. ww2dbase [Henry Kaiser | Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Richmond, California | DS]

14 Apr 1941

United States

The first keel was laid at the new Kaiser Richmond Shipyard in Richmond, California, United States. The ship would later serve with the British Merchant Navy as the SS Ocean Vanguard and was sunk by torpedo off Trinidad in 1942. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Richmond, California | DS]

17 Sep 1941

United States

The first keel was laid at the new Kaiser Richmond Shipyard No. 2 in Richmond, California, United States. The ship would later serve with the British Merchant Navy as the SS James Otis and was wrecked off Devon, England, United Kingdom in Feb 1945. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Richmond, California | DS]

2 Jan 1942

United States

The keel of Stephen Hopkins was laid down by the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards in Yard No. 2, Way #3 in Richmond, California, United States. ww2dbase [Stephen Hopkins | Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Richmond, California | CPC]

14 Apr 1942

United States

Stephen Hopkins was launched at the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards at Yard No. 2 in Richmond, California, United States. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Stephen Hopkins | Richmond, California | CPC]

15 May 1942

United States

The first of the 489 Liberty Ships built at the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards was laid down in Shipyard No. 1. The ship was delivered 97 days later as the SS Edward Rowland Sill and served until 1967. ww2dbase [Liberty-class | Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Richmond, California | DS]

5 Aug 1942

United States

US Navy LST-476 was laid at the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards in Richmond, California, United States. This was the first ship to be laid down at Richmond's new Shipyard No. 4. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Richmond, California | DS]

11 Nov 1942

United States

The first ship was launched at the new Kaiser Richmond Shipyard No. 3 in Richmond, California, United States. The ship would later served with the US Navy as USS George O. Squier, lead ship of her class of troop transports. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Richmond, California | DS]

12 Apr 1943

United States

The keel of George Washington Carver was laid down at Yard No. 1 of Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, Richmond, California, United States. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | George Washington Carver | Richmond, California | CPC]

7 May 1943

United States

George Washington Carver was launched at Yard No. 1 of Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, Richmond, California, United States, sponsored by actress and civil rights activist Lena Horne. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | George Washington Carver | Richmond, California | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 7 May 1943

George Washington Carver sliding down the shipway after launching, Yard No. 1, Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, Richmond, California, United States, 7 May 1943

Lena Horne at the launching of SS George Washington Carver, Yard No. 1, Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, Richmond, California, United States, 7 May 1943

26 Jul 1943

United States

The keel of Antoine Saugrain was laid down at Yard No. 2, Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, Richmond, California, United States. ww2dbase [Antoine Saugrain | Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Richmond, California | CPC]

15 Aug 1943

United States

SS Antoine Saugrain was launched at Yard No. 2, Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, Richmond, California, United States. ww2dbase [Antoine Saugrain | Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Richmond, California | CPC]

11 Jan 1944

Photo(s) dated 11 Jan 1944

Aerial view of the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, 11 Jan 1944.

11 Apr 1944

United States

Haskell-class Attack Transport USS Sarasota was laid down at Kaiser Richmond Shipyard No. 2. This was the first of 22 Haskell-class ship built at the Richmond yards. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Haskell-class | Richmond, California | DS]

7 Jun 1944

United States

The first of the newer, larger, and faster Victory-class ships was laid down at the Kaiser Richmond Shipyard No. 1. The ship would become SS Legion Victory and would serve until 1970. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Victory-class | Richmond, California | DS]

14 Jul 1944

United States

The last of 489 Liberty-ships built at the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, the Benjamin Warner, was delivered to the Navy after 18 days on the ways and 13 days on the water being fitted out. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Liberty-class | Richmond, California | DS]

1 Sep 1944

Photo(s) dated 1 Sep 1944

Sep 1944 map showing the general layout of Kaiser Richmond Shipyards Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 plus the prefabrication shops, Richmond, California, United States.

10 Nov 1944

United States

The keel of Hobbs Victory was laid down at Yard No. 2, Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, Richmond, California, United States. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Hobbs Victory | Richmond, California | CPC]

6 Dec 1944

Photo(s) dated 6 Dec 1944

Aerial view of the Kaiser Company Shipyard No. 4 looking north, Richmond, California, United States, 6 Dec 1944.

Aerial view of the Kaiser Company Shipyard No. 4 looking northwest, Richmond, California, United States, 6 Dec 1944.

Aerial view of the Kaiser Company Shipyard No. 4 looking southwest, Richmond, California, United States, 6 Dec 1944.

Overhead view of the Kaiser Company Shipyard No. 4, Richmond, California, United States, 6 Dec 1944.

11 Dec 1944

Photo(s) dated 11 Dec 1944

Aerial view of Kaiser Richmond No. 3 Yard, Richmond, California, United States, 11 Dec 1944

Aerial view of Kaiser Richmond No. 2 Yard, Richmond, California, United States, 11 Dec 1944.

Aerial view of Permanente Metals Shipyard No. 1 looking south into San Francisco Bay, Richmond, California, United States, 11 Dec 1944. Note the prefabrication shed on the left and the large Ford assembly plant at top.

Aerial view of Permanente Metals Shipyard No. 1 looking west, Richmond, California, United States, 11 Dec 1944. Shipyard No. 4 is just out of view to the upper right.

See all photos dated 11 Dec 1944

13 Dec 1944

Photo(s) dated 13 Dec 1944

Overhead view of Permanente Metals Shipyard No. 1, Richmond, California, United States, 13 Dec 1944.

8 Jan 1945

Photo(s) dated 8 Jan 1945

Overhead view of Permanente Metals Shipyard No. 2, Richmond, California, United States, 8 Jan 1945.

Overhead view of the Kaiser Cargo Company Shipyard No. 3, Richmond, California, United States, 8 Jan 1945.

9 Jan 1945

United States

SS Hobbs Victory was launched at Yard No. 2, Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, Richmond, California, United States. ww2dbase [Hobbs Victory | Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Richmond, California | CPC]

1 Apr 1946

United States

[date appx] The last ship built at the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards was completed as the C-4-class bulk merchant ship SS Marine Snapper. The ship was scrapped in 1972. ww2dbase [Kaiser Richmond Shipyards | Richmond, California | DS]

1 Jan 2012

Photo(s) dated 1 Jan 2012

Battleship Iowa at Terminal 3, Richmond, California, United States, 1 Jan 2012

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis

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