by Helen D.
Many people don't remember that Lockheed
Shipbuilding in Seattle, Washington, built ships, ferry boats, submarine
tenders, off-shore drilling barges and the largest hydrofoil in the world.
There were 44 ships in all under the Lockheed banner.
After 25 years of marriage, raising kids
and housework, I discovered I had to "go to work" and I chose
Lockheed Shipbuilding. It had been where my grandfather worked during World War
I as a blacksmith (a different company at that time). I started in the
purchasing department, then the integrated logics support department, then out
to the end of the dock for ship repair. I loved all the workers who were so
proud of their ships and generations of
families in each trade. Each launching brought so much joy, pride and
satisfaction that the Navy, Coast Guard or other companies entrusted their work
for Lockheed to complete.
Now the shipyard is gone. The old offices
on the Duwamish River are replaced by the Port of Seattle where huge ships,
cranes, trains load and unload cargo.
The river has been cleaned up
environmentally and now cruise ships park, where I used to when I went to work for
Lockheed in 1975 until 1987. There was a friendly competition with Todd
Shipyards across the river. We all loved our ships!
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| The Lockheed Shipyard, Near Seattle |
