The human story of the yard is rich. Families moved to Jacksonville for shipyard employment, communities organized around daily shifts, and the roar of launching ships became part of the city’s soundtrack. For many workers, building a Liberty ship in six to eight months was a source of pride—knowing the vessel would serve in the war a

Although the yard closed, its impact on shipbuilding practices endured. The rapid assembly techniques, standardized hull modules, pre-outfitting practices and process innovations influenced post-war ship repair yards and later commercial shipyards. The emphasis on labour productivity and assembly line methods in hull construction echoed later in al

With the surrender of Germany in May 1945 and Japan in August the same year, the urgent need for mass‐produced cargo ships declined. The St. Johns River Shipbuilding Company ceased ship production in August 1945.    Although the yard infrastructure remained, the workforce rapidly diminished and work shifted toward peacetime uses — repair,

Despite its success, the yard faced constant challenges. Steel plates, engines, auxiliary equipment and skilled labor were in high demand across the war industry. The yard had to coordinate material deliveries via rail and barge, manage scheduling of launches, and cope with labor turnover and training. In addition, weather in Florida — including