Shipbuilding in Florida

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From every corner of the state, companies worked to fill the need for wartime ships.

Photo Credit: Florida State Archives

Firms across the state contributed to the war effort by meeting the increasing need for new vessels.

Florida companies produced a significant number of ships used in the defeat of Germany, Italy and Japan.

Panama City’s Wainwright Shipyard built 108 ships, including standard Liberty Ships and those modified for transporting tanks, airplanes and tankers. Construction continued until the fall of 1945. In front of the port authority office is a granite memorial recognizing the contributions of the Wainwright Shipyard.

In 1939, the Tampa Shipbuilding and Engineering Company secured a contract from the U.S. Maritime Commission to construct four cargo ships. Later known as TASCO, it was Tampa’s largest employer by 1943. A second shipyard, Hooker’s Point Yard, constructed cargo ships built with reinforced concrete.

Firms in Jacksonville built Liberty Ships, minesweepers and patrol craft.  Most prominent was the St. Johns River Shipbuilding Company, which, between 1943 and 1945, constructed 82 Liberty Ships and 12 tankers.

In 1939, the Miami Shipbuilding Company received a contract to build the first patrol-torpedo boats for the U.S. Navy. Additional vessels were built in Pensacola and Orlando.