North Carolina Shipbuilding Company

The company's history began in 1940, when the U.S. government saw the acute need to build a large fleet of Merchant ships, both to fulfill commitments to the British and, if the United Kingdom fell, to strengthen its position for war.

Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company agreed to build a shipyard in Wilmington, adequate to deliver 25 Liberty ships by 15 March 1943.

A location about three miles (5 km) south of Wilmington on the east bank of the Cape Fear River was selected, and a tract of 56.9 acres (230,000 m2) was purchased.

It was considered an ideal site with the physical properties of deep fresh water, ample space, adequate feeder railroads and good climate.

The war enormously increased the nation's shipbuilding program, and in early 1942 the company accepted a contract for 53 additional Liberty ships, to be completed by 29 January 1944.

Twenty-eight of them were lost in the war: 23 to enemy action, four scuttled to form part of the breakwater used during the Normandy invasion, and one ammunition ship that exploded in the Pacific.

On 1 May 1946, the president of the company wrote "We have accomplished our tasks and may forget the hardships and headaches in connection with it and enjoy the feeling that it has been a job well done.

The combination of a few Newport News shipbuilders and a good supply of intelligent, willing North Carolina men and women has accomplished the task.