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at this activity that received the pancake engines, and they were held up for deliver of these engines. The supervision of this contract was transferred to the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Houston, Texas, in April 1943, for completion. The vessels were in the water but were uncompleted.
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     Mineswoopers - Steel - Contract NOs-83493:
     
     
     Contract Nos-83493 for construction of four steel mineswoopers, AM104-107, was awarded to Pennsylvania Shipyards, Inc, Beaumont, Texas, 1 April 1941. The construction of those ships was delayed because the contractor desired to make an all-welded vessel instead of a composite construction. This necessitated a re-drawing of the plans by the contractor and approval of the Navy Department. Another difficulty experienced was that this yard was building vessels basically for the U. S. Maritime Commission. The Navy obtained authority from the Maritime Commission to use certain ways which had been in use for maritime construction. Quite a little difficulty was encountered during the early part of this program because of personnel shortage.    
     
     
     The delay experienced due to a change in basic plans actually could be interpreted as a blessing in disguise. It was at this time that a working agreement was reached between the parties concerned regarding the priority of construction. This worked out to the ultimate advantage of the Navy, although there were many months when it was doubtful as to just when the AM's would be completed. The first of these ships was delivered 3 February 1943 and the last on 17 April 1943. The workmanship was excellent.
     
     
     Minesweepers - Wood - YMS - Contracts NOs-83481 and NObs-522:
     
     
     In 1941 Weaver Shipyard was awarded contract NOs-83481 for construction of ten wood minesweepers, YMS66-75, and in April 1942 contract NObs-522 was awarded to this yard for construction of sixteen wood minesweepers, YMS247-258 and YMS371-374.
     
 
     This contractor had been operating a small shipyard where he constructed wooden vessels, but basically he did repair work. The size of the first contract was such that it was necessary for him to immediately expand his facilities, as well as to recruit additional personnel. The Orange area had, many years previously, been the location for quite a large wooden shipbuilding operation. In the past twenty years, however, wooden ship construction in the area had dropped off to practically zero. Therefore, men skilled in construction of wooden ships were very limited and those who were available were old. The contractor was forced to recruit house carpenters and train them as ship carpenters, thus bringing about not only delays, but also requiring very careful supervision on the part of the Navy as the practices used in house construction are far different from ship construction.
 
     A great deal of trouble was experienced in getting certain timber. This was particularly true regarding bending oak frames. This material was practically non-existent. A survey was made of the area and a satisfactory bending oak was found in the woods which was used successfully in the construction of these vessels.
 

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