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Pusey and Jones

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Pusey and Jones Corporation
Company typePrivate
IndustryShipbuilding, Industrial machinery manufacturing
PredecessorBetts, Pusey, Jones & Seal
FoundedJanuary 1, 1848; 178 years ago (1848-01-01) in Wilmington, Delaware, United States
FounderJoshua L. Pusey, John Jones
Defunct1959 (1959)
FateCeased operations
Headquarters
Wilmington
,
United States
Area served
United States
Key people
Clement C. Smith (restructured company in 1927)
ProductsShips (commercial freighters, naval warships, luxury yachts), industrial machinery for papermaking
Number of employees
3,600+ (World War II period)

The Pusey and Jones Corporation was a leading manufacturer of ships and industrial machinery, headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, with operations spanning from 1848 until 1959.

Between 1853 and the conclusion of World War II, shipbuilding constituted the primary focus of the company. Throughout its history, the shipyard constructed more than 500 vessels, including commercial freighters, naval warships, and luxury yachts like the Volunteer, which secured victory in the 1887 America's Cup. Following the war, the firm transitioned its efforts toward producing equipment for the paper manufacturing industry.

History

Established in 1848 by Joshua L. Pusey and John Jones as a machine shop located near the Pennsylvania Railroad in Wilmington, the enterprise expanded in 1851 when Edward Betts and Joshua Seal joined, forming Betts, Pusey, Jones & Seal. In 1854, they launched the schooner Mahlon Betts, recognized as the first iron-hulled sailing vessel built in the United States.

The Civil War period saw rapid expansion as Pusey and Jones fulfilled numerous military contracts by constructing ships and marine engines. Notably, they built the first steel-hulled yacht to win the America's Cup in 1887.

During World War I, the company experienced substantial growth; its workforce surpassed 2,000 employees with the establishment of the Pennsylvania Shipbuilding Corporation yard in Gloucester City, New Jersey. This yard featured several slipways capable of launching vessels up to 12,500 tons. Nearby, the New Jersey Shipbuilding Corporation yard enhanced production capacity for cargo steamships. Collectively, these facilities delivered twenty requisitioned ships to the United States Shipping Board, including tankers and cargo vessels such as the Indianapolis.

Meanwhile, the Wilmington shipyard produced fourteen requisitioned ships along with two Navy minesweepers. After a downturn following the war, businessman Clement C. Smith restructured the company in 1927 as Pusey and Jones Corporation, redirecting focus toward crafting luxury steam and motor yachts aimed at wealthy clientele.

With the outbreak of World War II, demand for military contracts increased significantly. The total workforce expanded to over 3,600 across both shipyards and administrative offices. Pusey and Jones constructed nineteen Type C1 ships for the U.S. Maritime Commission alongside minesweepers and specialized vessels. Numerous commercial ships were adapted for military purposes. A highlight was the launch of SS Adabelle Lykes on Liberty Fleet Day (September 27, 1941).

After World War II ended, operations at Wilmington shifted predominantly to manufacturing machinery used in papermaking before ultimately ceasing activities in 1959.

See also

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External links

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