Liberty Ships

Hiding in plain sight right on the water a few yards west of the Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick, Glynn County, Georgia sits an important piece of history from World War II. In this spot between 1942 and 1944, a skilled labor force of over 16,000 men and women worked in service to the Allied war effort, producing 99 steel vessels for the U.S. Merchant Marines. These vessels served as both cargo and troop carriers, and their reputation for keeping vital supply lines open earned them the name of "Liberty Ships." Each month, dedicated shipyard workers produced four of these 447-foot, 3500-ton steel vessels. During December, 1944, with the "Battle of the Bulge" raging in Europe, the Navy requested six ships. In response, these determined patriots built an astounding seven "Liberty Ships". The J.A. Jones Construction Company and the people they employed in Brunswick's shipyards came to symbolize the patriotic duty and tireless efforts of America's wartime home front. In these photos you can see the exact spot where the Liberty Ships were launched from the dry dock! Historical photos referenced were found on the Digital Library of Georgia. -Jay Blanton