Todd Shipyards

Todd Shipyards Corporation
Company type	Corporation
Industry	Shipbuilding and ship repair
Predecessor	William H. Todd Corporation
Founded	1916
Founder	William H. Todd
Defunct	2011 (acquired by Vigor Industrial)
Fate	Acquired by Vigor Industrial, became Vigor Shipyards
Successor	Vigor Shipyards
Headquarters	Seattle, Washington, United States
Area served	United States (West Coast, East Coast, Gulf region)
Key people	William H. Todd (founder)
Products	Ships, ship repair services
Number of employees	57,000 (at peak during World War II)
Parent	Vigor Industrial (post-2011)

The Todd Shipyards Corporation, frequently referred to as Todd Shipyards, was a prominent American firm specializing in shipbuilding and ship repair. Established in 1916 under the name William H. Todd Corporation, the company was instrumental in constructing numerous vessels during World War I and played a significant part in the Emergency Shipbuilding Program throughout World War II. At its height, Todd operated shipyards along the West Coast of the United States, East Coast of the United States, and the Gulf region.

Following the war, Todd Shipyards continued to offer ship construction and maintenance services to various clients, including the United States Navy, Royal Australian Navy, United States Coast Guard, and Washington State Ferries. Financial challenges led to a bankruptcy filing in 1987, but the company reemerged in 1991 as Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation, consolidating operations exclusively at its Seattle facility.

Operations persisted on a smaller scale within Washington's Puget Sound region until 2011, when Todd was purchased by Vigor Industrial. After this acquisition, Todd became a fully owned subsidiary functioning under the name Vigor Shipyards.

Early history

The origins of Todd Shipyards trace back to 1916 with the formation of the William H. Todd Corporation. This followed a syndicate led by Bertron Griscom & Company of New York acquiring the assets of Tietjen & Lang Dry Dock Company located in Hoboken, New Jersey. Management was assigned to William H. Todd, who was then serving as president of the Robins Dry Dock & Repair Company in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, the corporation expanded by purchasing additional facilities including the Tebo Yacht Basin in Brooklyn and the Seattle Construction and Dry Dock Company.

World War II

Between 1940 and 1945, Todd Shipyards constructed or repaired approximately 23,000 ships across its multiple yards, employing a workforce that reached 57,000 individuals. The company ranked 26th among American corporations based on the monetary value of contracts awarded for World War II production, underscoring its critical role within the defense manufacturing sector.

Post-war development

In October 1977, Todd Shipyards formed Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation as a wholly owned subsidiary by merging its Seattle and Los Angeles operations. The firm experienced significant impacts from the 1983 Pacific Coast Metal Trades Union strike, which contributed to the shutdown of several shipyards along the West Coast.

After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1987, Todd restructured and resumed activities in 1991 as Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation, focusing solely on its Seattle yard after closing other sites. In 1995, Todd diversified its business portfolio by founding Elettra Broadcasting Corporation, which managed three FM radio stations based in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

Acquisition by Vigor Industrial

In February 2011, Vigor Industrial completed its acquisition of Todd Shipyards for $130 million. This purchase included shipyard facilities located in Seattle, Everett, and Bremerton. Post-acquisition, Todd operated as a wholly owned subsidiary under Vigor’s corporate umbrella and was rebranded as Vigor Shipyards.

New York

Todd Brooklyn. The initial Todd Shipyard facility was secured in 1916 at Erie Basin, situated on the Red Hook waterfront in Brooklyn, New York. The Erie Basin dry dock, constructed in 1866, holds the distinction of being the first graving dock in the United States. Following multiple ownership transitions—including J. N. Robins Company and Erie Basin Dry Dock Company—it evolved into Robins Dry Dock and Repair Company. William H. Todd, who had experience working with both firms, acquired Robins Dry Dock alongside Tietjen & Lang Dry Dock of Hoboken, Seattle Construction and Drydock Company, Tebo Yacht Basin Company, and the Gowanus shipyard in Brooklyn. The Erie Basin yard was eventually sold to Rodermond Industries in 1986, which ceased operations during the 1990s.

Los Angeles and San Francisco

Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division, located in San Pedro, California (), formerly known as Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Corporation, operated from 1917 until 1989. Initially focused on constructing cargo ships for the United States Shipping Board, it later expanded production to include tankers and ferries throughout the 1920s and 1930s. During World War II, this facility built critical naval vessels such as the USS Ajax (AR-6), USS Hector (AR-7), and USS Jason (AR-8). After the war and acquisition by Todd, the yard produced Allende-class frigates, Shenandoah-class destroyer tenders, and Leahy-class cruisers. The shipyard closed following completion of its final contract and inability to secure subsequent contracts. Currently, the location forms part of the Port of Los Angeles, redeveloped as Berth 100 / West Basin Container Terminal.

Todd Alameda (San Francisco Division), situated west of Webster Street in Alameda, California (), commenced operations in 1940 under United Engineering Company primarily for ship repair and conversion tasks before shutting down in 1956. Todd also leased space adjacent to the Bethlehem Alameda Works Shipyard, although a 1953 Corps of Engineers report indicates Bethlehem managed that site directly.

Richmond shipyard No. 1 was established to fulfill World War II shipbuilding requirements. In 1940, Kaiser acquired contracts and facilities from Todd to construct type Ocean ship cargo vessels. Construction began on vacant land in December 1940; the keel for the first British-bound Ocean ship was laid in April 1941. The yard later built Liberty ships starting May 1942 and Victory ships from January 1944 to meet accelerated cargo demands. Operations ceased in 1946; today, the site serves as general docks for construction materials at 700 Wright Ave, Richmond (). Production totals included approximately 30 Ocean ships (~7,174 GRT), 138 Liberty ships (EC2-S-C1 model, ~7,176 GRT), and 82 Victory ships (VC2-S-AP3 model, ~7,612 GRT). Prominent vessels produced include , , , , and .

Puget Sound, Washington

The Todd Tacoma Division at Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Washington, opened in 1917 to build Design 1014 ship vessels for the United States Shipping Board. It initially operated under Todd Dry Dock & Construction until 1924 and reopened in 1939 as part of Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation in partnership with Kaiser Shipbuilding. The yard constructed 56 s and s along with various auxiliary ships. In 1942, Todd acquired Kaiser’s share, integrating the facility into Todd Pacific Shipyards. Following World War II, ownership transferred to the Navy and later to the Port of Tacoma in 1959. Presently, this location is designated as the Commencement Bay Industrial Development District.

Established in 1916 after acquiring Seattle Construction & Dry Dock Co. Ltd.—founded by Robert Moran in 1882—Todd Dry Dock & Construction Co. of Seattle, Washington played a significant role during World War II under Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation by producing 45 , , , and s. After the war, renamed Todd Shipyards Corp., Seattle Division, it built vessels including Charles F. Adams-class destroyer, Knox-class frigate, Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, and Hamilton-class cutter classes for the US Navy. Currently, this shipyard operates under Vigor management.

Todd Bremerton Shipyard located in Bremerton, Washington, functions as a satellite repair facility adjacent to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. It specializes in maintenance and repair services for United States Navy vessels.

Todd Everett Shipyard, acquired in 2008 and situated in Everett, Washington, continues its ship repair activities under the name Everett Ship Repair & Drydock, Inc.. Since 1960, it has provided services to both Washington State Ferries and US Navy fleets.

Houston / Galveston

Todd's presence in Galveston, Texas () began in 1934 with the acquisition of Galveston Dry Dock & Construction located on Pelican Island. In 1943, the company further expanded by absorbing the neighboring Gray's Iron Works, combining both facilities under the name Todd Galveston Drydocks, Inc.. Throughout World War II, this yard was engaged in constructing T1 Tankers T1-M-A1 and, following the war, produced three ferries for use in Texas. By 1949, Todd redirected its primary activities to the leased Brown Shipbuilding yard in Houston, designating the Pelican Island site primarily for ship repairs and tanker modifications under the title Todd Shipyards Corporation, Galveston Division. Additionally, Todd Galveston was involved in building Type C6 ships. The yard eventually filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and ceased operations in 1990; its two Panamax floating dry docks were transferred to Alabama Shipyard and Bender Shipbuilding. In 1993, the remaining Pelican Island property was sold to the Port of Galveston, now serving as a base for Newpark Marine and Gulf Copper’s offshore repair services. Southwest Shipyard operates in close proximity.

The Todd Houston Shipbuilding facility was launched on January 6, 1941, as an emergency shipyard created through a partnership between Todd Shipbuilding Corp. and Kaiser Corp. to meet wartime production demands. Situated at Irish Bend along the Houston Ship Channel, this yard employed approximately 23,000 workers and constructed 208 Liberty ships alongside 14 T1-M-BT2 tankers during World War II. The shipyard ceased operations in 1946, with activities transferring in 1949 to the Brown Shipbuilding yard in Houston, which was subsequently renamed Todd Houston.

In 1949, Todd Houston assumed control of the Brown Shipbuilding facility at Green's Bayou on the Buffalo Bayou (), dedicating itself primarily to building and repairing barges. This operation ended in 1987 when it was sold to Platzer Shipyard before later returning under Brown & Root management for offshore drilling rig construction until its final closure in 2004. The location is currently referred to as Brown Shipbuilding Industrial.

Additional Facilities

Todd New Orleans: In 1934, Todd collaborated with Johnson Iron Works in New Orleans to construct and maintain vessels at the Todd-Johnson Dry Docks. Todd ultimately assumed full ownership and sold the facility to the Port of New Orleans in 1987.
Todd-Bath Iron Shipbuilding Corporation, South Portland, Maine: Founded in 1940 as an emergency shipyard dedicated to producing Ocean class cargo vessels for Britain. During World War II, the yard constructed Liberty ships and employed approximately 30,000 workers. In 1943, it was renamed New England Shipbuilding following Kaiser’s divestment of its shares.
Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, Portland, Oregon: Established in 1941 through a partnership between Todd and Kaiser as a wartime emergency shipyard, initially featuring eight shipways that were later expanded. The facility produced both Liberty and Victory ships before closing after the conclusion of the war; Kaiser eventually gained full ownership.
Todd Charleston: Managed the Charleston Dry Dock & Machine Company repair yard located in Charleston, South Carolina from 1946 until 1949, providing maintenance services for US Navy vessels.
New Jersey Shipbuilding Company, Perth Amboy, New Jersey: Acquired by Todd in 1942 at the behest of the US Navy to manufacture Landing Craft Infantry (LCI). The yard ceased operations after the war; the location now houses a Chevron asphalt plant.
Todd Mobile Drydock, Alabama: Leased in 1936 to the adjacent Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company before being dismantled.

Bibliography

Arthur Herman, Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II, New York: Random House, 2012, ISBN 978-1-4000-6964-4

External links

ToddPacific.com - archived January 11, 2011
Vigor Industrial Collection on Todd Shipyards, circa 1905–1985 at Archives West
Todd Shipyards at GlobalSecurity.org
Todd Shipyards Corporation Form 10-K from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission