| The photograph below shows work underway with cranes at the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards. Unknown names, date or type. The sign at the bottom left hand corner under the crane says "Hull 440" It also has the "Boat Foreman" and a "Keel Laid" on the it. The foreman's name and the keel laid date are partially obscured. Unknown if the hull shown is 440 or if the sign is in commemoration of the event.
Hull 440 was the famous Liberty Ship, the Robert E Peary. The Hull 440 was famous because the entire Liberty ship was built in just 4 days, 15 hours, and 29 minutes, setting a record that stands to this day. The hull was laid on November 8, 1942 and the Robert E Peary was launched on November 12, 1942. After just 3 days in the water, she was delivered on November 15, 1942 for a time of 7 days to delivery. The Robert E Peary served well and was a workhorse throughout World War II. She was scrapped in Baltimore, MD in July 1963. For futher information go to www.usmm.org/peary.html. |
