The Bethlehem-Fairfield shipyard was one of two new emergency shipyards constructed in the United States during World War II. These operations were part of the Emergency Shipbuilding Program, which was established by the US Maritime Commission in 1941.
The Emergency Shipbuilding Program was conceived because the US government needed to be able to move troops, material and cargo to allied countries, as well as to foreign theaters of war. In just four short years, more than 6,000 ships were built as part of the program.
Bethlehem-Fairfield got the first part of its name from the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, which the US government entrusted to run it. The second part came from its location, which was in the Fairfield area of the city of Baltimore.
Despite being designed to have a capacity of 10,000 tons, it was often the case that the ships carried much larger volumes of cargo in order to meet the demands of the US’ wartime needs. By the time the war was nearing its end, the construction process for the ships had been streamlined so much that, in some cases, they were ready to launch in just a single month.
Nowadays, the former site of the shipyard is occupied by the entrance to the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, so there sadly isn’t anything left to see. When it was active, the shipyard employed some 27,000 people, and they built no less than 523 emergency ships in the space of four years.
Content and image source: Mashable Retronaut
Wasn't So Long Ago, But What A Change!
Enjoy some nostalgia with this collection of old photos:
11 Surprising Things You Never Knew About the Titanic
We bet you didn’t know these surprising facts about the Titanic!
Cities of Yesteryear: See the 1890s Come Alive!
It's incredible to have this look into yesteryear, and this compilation have some truly terrific sights to show you!
Unseen & Rare Photos from History You Will Love
We bet you haven’t seen these amazing historical photos before.
Indonesia: Is This Asia's Most Beautiful Country?
Indonesia is the best place in Asia to visit - and here is the photographic evidence!
15 Fascinating Old Photos that Mean a Lot Today
15 interesting photos from the past in black and white, showing us history in a few moments.
Time Transforms Everything - 15 Incredible Photos
Admire how time changed the world around us in these 15 historical photo comparisons of famous places around the world.
View the World Through the Eye of a Moving Bullet
Watch in awe as you discover regular objects through the eye of a moving bullet, using an incredible new type of lens.
22 Rare and Beautifully Colorized Historical Photos
Looking through these meticulously colorized photos, most of which were taken during the two World Wars, is a unique and moving experience.
These Can't Be Real! 14 Stunning Celebrity Drawings
Artist Matheus Macedo creates incredibly realistic portraits of celebrities. Take a look at his best works.
10 Medieval Walled Cities that Are a Wonder to Visit!
There's something spectacular about beholding a medieval walled city. You're instantly transported back in time. Take a look at the world's 10 best.
You Won't Believe These 15 Photos Weren't Photo-shopped!
Some beautiful moments are just meant to be shared, that's why I have to show you these incredible photographs. Take a look!
These Buildings Are Marvels of Human Creation!
Skyscrapers are the wonders of man-made construction technology and in the following article, you'll see 11 stunning buildings that will truly astonish you.
These 17 Unique Bird Photos Reflect Each Bird’s Character
This photographer is extremely skilled at capturing the unique character of each bird, take a look at these 17 vivid and majestic photos by her
13 Photographs of Stunning Beach Art With Stones
Here is a collection of some stunning images showing unique beach art that has been created by using just stones.
7 Incredible Ancient Engineering Feats to Astound You
Our ancient ancestors were incredible engineers as you're about to learn from this infographic.
Nature Used All Possible Colors to Create These Animals
Nature is filled with beautiful animals, plants and insects, with magnificent colors and shapes. The dazzling colors of these animals can only be found in nature, see for yourself in the photos below.
These Japanese Truck Gardens Are Absolutely Stunning!
Every year, landscapers from across Japan create amazing and whimsical gardens in their trucks to see who can claim to be the best mobile landscaper.
30 Dazzling Photos of Snow Covered Landscapes
Winter is magnificent, and these 30 photos taken from different corners of our planet are here to support that sentiment.
10 Tips to Redo Your Interior Without Buying Anything New
With these clever tips, you can beautify your home without spending a dime!
You've Got to See This Award-Winning Aerial Photography!
Have a look at some of these incredible award-winning drone photos from Dronestagram's annual contest.
These Hilarious Pics Prove That Mankind is Probably Doomed
There's more evidence of mankind being doomed than the alarmist media reports on your TV! Take a look at these 20 hilarious photos.
This Showstopping Senior Couple Steals the Show Every Day
'In old age, life just begins' is definitely the motto for this elderly couple who are Berlin's fashion icons and social stars
12 Gorgeous Churches That Reveal France's Beautiful Past
France's rich culture is not built on food, shopping or fashion, but centuries of Christian worship. These 12 magnificent churches remind us of France's gifts.
These Extreme Engineering Projects Will Leave You in Awe
The world is already full of amazing structures that leave us in awe, but as the following recent projects show, we always want something bigger and better!
These Vintage Celebrity Photos From the Past Are a Delight
Time for some nostalgia! Check out these rarely seen photos of old school celebrities.
15 Famous People In History That Were Really Good-Looking
A collection of 15 vintage photos that prove that some of the famous figures in history were quite attractive...
This Magical Town is the Most Beautiful Place in China
In the south of China, a small, peaceful and picturesque town lies on a fertile cliff from which several waterfalls flow in perfect harmony.
500 Years of Living Room Design in 12 Astonishing Pictures
Admire how living room interior design has been changing for the past 500 years in 12 astonishingly beautiful pictures
The Great Wall of China as You’ve Never Seen It Before
High definition drone capture of the Great Wall of China
24 Stunning Vintage Photos of Everyday Life
See these forgotten details from the world of the past in these 24 historical photos.
These Brilliantly Clever Adverts Turned Heads - 15 Pics
Now this is how you make an ad!
Admire Some of History’s Finest Photos Reimagined in Color
We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to see history through vintage photographs, but wouldn’t it be fun to see all these photos in color?
These Old Photos Showcase Some Major Changes in Ireland
The last few decades of the 19th century and the first few of the 20th were periods of major change for Ireland. These photos capture that wonderfully.
These Photographers Got Their Timing Absolutely Spot On!
These perfectly timed photographs are proof that you don’t need to be a professional photographer to take awesome pictures.
These Portraits Combine People With Their Young Selves
In certain instances, it's uncanny how much people remain looking like their younger selves well into adulthood. Take a look at this composite portraiture.
15 Incredible Handmade Leather Creations
Check out some of the most incredible leather creations!
These Photos Show What People Had to Bear in the Wild West
These photos illustrate what life in the Wild West was like.
This Artist Wanted to See What's in Your Fridge...
This fascinating photography project reveals what's in the fridges of different people around the world and what can we can learn from them about their owners.
19 Pictures That Prove Your Eyes and Brain Are Lying to You
Each of these 19 pictures will cause you to linger in front of it for a few seconds trying to figure out what it is that’s really going on in them!
When Celebrities Met Their Younger Selves (20 Pics)
Enjoy this fun collection of pictures where famous celebs hang out with their younger selves.
5 Quirky & Imaginative Homes Built On a Shoestring Budget
These homes are proof that something incredible can be created on a shoestring budget while being kind to the environment at the same time. Take a look.
History Doesn't Forget: Rare Historic Photos!
Here, the past is still alive and kicking, and for a few moments, we are back in those momentous time and events that shook the world not that long ago...
Taj Falaknuma Palace: The Most Opulent Oriental Beauty
Taj Falaknuma Palace is one of the most fabulous gems in all of India, with plenty of fascinating stories to tell from the age of the British Empire.
Feel the Solitude: These Photos of the Arctic are Breathtaking!
Step inside one of the most solitude places on Earth. Finnish Photographer Tiina Törmänen captures the vast, icy beauty of this most remarkable and breathtaking place.
These Homeowners Take Interior Decorating to Another Level
Everyone decorates in their own way. These homeowners have let their imaginations go wild with surreal interiors unlike anything you've ever seen.
20 Award Winning Photos of a Microscopic, Gorgeous World
The Nikon Small World Competition has been giving recognition to photomicrography images for well over 40 years. View this year's finalists here.