Terence M. Lee / CalShip, 1941-1976 (bulk 1941-1945)

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Summary

Creators:
John A. McCone (1902-1991) Terence M. Lee (1913-?) California Shipbuilding Corporation CalShip
Abstract:
Extent:
10.5 cu. ft. (8 boxes 4 x 5” negatives; 10 boxes 4 x 6” photographic prints; 3 record cartons); 8.75 linear ft. (large oversized print boxes); and 9 linear ft. (oversized photographic prints in folders).
Language:
Preferred citation:

Terence M. Lee / CalShip. Los Angeles Maritime Museum

Background

Scope and content:

Papers of California Shipbuilding Corporation is a collection of manuscript materials, photographs, negatives, publications, and audio/visual materials. These materials were created by and are about the California Shipbuilding Corporation, which built 467 cargo transports and tankers as Liberty and Victory ships during World War II. The corporation, sponsored by the W.A. Bechtel Corporation and other investors, was built on Terminal Island, near Long Beach and San Pedro, California in 1941. Underscoring their role in the social history of laborers during World War II, is the fact that California Shipbuilding Corporation employed women in historically non-traditional roles in construction and welding as well as in administrative work. Evidence of work done by women is documented in photographic prints in the collection. Terence M. Lee, assistant to the company President, John A. McCone, assembled this collection of papers and photographs which spans the operating years of the corporation (1941-1945) and beyond. These materials include administrative papers, personnel lists, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, as well as photographs and negatives which represent the company, its business, employee and public relations. A full run of the California Shipbuilding Corporation publication, Calship Log, which was published weekly until September 1941 when it became a bi-monthly publication, informs a series in the collection. Additionally, materials are included about the investigation into California Shipbuilding Corporation in 1946, when the company was accused of spending government money on gifts for the ship sponsors. Post-dating the operations of the California Shipbuilding Corporation, a collection of folders and an album containing data and biographic statements about John McCone, including his years at California Shipbuilding Corporation, were written by his assistant, Terence Lee.

Biographical / historical:

California Shipbuilding Corporation was created by the United States Maritime Commission as an emergency shipyard to build liberty ships during World War II. Its facilities were built on Terminal Island, California in early 1941, and included fourteen shipways and ten outfitting docks, warehouses, equipment buildings, administrative offices, and more. During its years of operation, The California Shipbuilding Corporation built 467 cargo and transport ships. Ground was broken at Terminal Island in January of 1941. Nine months later S.S. JOHN C. FREMONT became the first ship to be completed and launched. It took nearly eight months to build, but was completed 45 days ahead of schedule. It launched on September 27, 1941, called “Liberty Fleet Day”, a day celebrated as launching day for 11 other liberty ships at shipyards around the country. After launching S.S. JOHN C. FREMONT, the shipbuilding process began to move much faster. Four additional ships were launched in the last three months of 1941. The fastest vessel to be constructed was S.S. FINLEY P. DUNNE, which only took 31 days to construct. The final ship built at California Shipbuilding Corporation, S.S. COUNCIL BLUFFS VICTORY, was launched on September 27, 1945. Each completed ship was launched with pomp and circumstance. Each ship had a sponsor, who was in charge of christening the ship traditionally with a champagne bottle. Sponsors ranged from wives of employees and personnel to contest winners to film and radio stars. Notable sponsors included movie star Bette Davis, singer Marian Anderson, and Mrs. Walt Disney, wife of the entertainment industry entrepreneur.

Acquisition information:
The material was donated to the Museum in 2003.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research. Please make an appointment with the Museum Archivist or Director for access to the collection.

Terms of access:

The material in this collection is the property of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. The material is subject to copyright restrictions and may not be used without prior permission from the Los Angeles Maritime Museum.

Preferred citation:

Terence M. Lee / CalShip. Los Angeles Maritime Museum

Location of this collection:
Berth 84
Foot of 6th St
San Pedro, CA 90043, US
Contact:
(310) 548-7618
info@lamaritimemuseum.org
Website