Evansville
During World War II, the Evansville river front was transformed into a 45 acre shipyard capable of producing LSTs. This metamorphosis brought a peak work force of 19,200 workers to the Yard as Evansville became the largest producer of LSTs in the nation. Though the Navy had originally contracted Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron--the lead contractor--for twenty-four ships, 167 LSTs and 35 other craft were eventually built at the Evansville Shipyard. At peak production, two vessels were completed every week.
This output of LSTs was unmatched in the United States. In recognition of this record, the Shipyard received the Army-Navy "E" flag and two subsequent white stars which signified excellence in the production of wartime materials.
With the surrender of Germany and Japan, production of LSTs was reduced. The last sailing from the Shipyard occurred on December 12, 1945, and with the combination of a fire which swept the facility in January of 1946 and the government sale of the property in late 1947, the Evansville Shipyard became a part of history.
The Evansville Museum's permanent exhibition, Answering the Call: Evansville and the LST, recalls the people who worked at the Shipyard and the men who served aboard LSTs.
Source: http://www.emuseum.org/virtual.museum/evansville.shipyard/
Pictures of LST construction at Evansville Shipyard.
