| Back | of Navy Yard, Philadelphia, this office found it advantageous to make certain deviations from the basic plans in line with the best arrangements furnished by the two design agents in an effort to incorporate desirable features so that many small items were installed in accordance with a composite plan. The Supervisor made certain other minor modifications in the interest of efficiency, one being the method whereby boats (LCVP) were stowed so that not only was a positive stowage made but in doing so, speed of casting adrift of the strong-back was greatly improved. | Next | ||||||
Steel Sub-Chasers - Contracts NOs-83649, NOd-2318 and NObs-159: |
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Contract NOs-83649 for the construction of four stool sub-chasers, PC565-568, was awarded to Platzer Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company on 1 April 1941. Contract NOd-2318 for construction of four steel sub-chasers, PC608-611, was awarded to Brown Shipbuilding Company on 20 September 1941, and the same company was awarded contract NObs-159 for construction of four steel sub-chasers, PC1251-1254, on 15 April 1942. |
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It was quite apparent that Platzer Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company would be unable to complete their contract uless outside help was obtained, as they had a very small shipyard on the Houston Ship Channel with practically no facilities for doing steel work. Therefore, in July 1941 the Brown Shipbuilding Company was formed and took over the Platzer Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company's contract for the construction of PC565-568. A small shipyard was set up on Green's Bayou and work started on the aforementioned vessels which were completed on 13 July 1942. |
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While PC565-568 were being constructed, Brown Shipbuilding Company was awarded contract NOd-2318 and construction was started on PC608-611 practically as soon as the first vessels were launched. The contract for PC608-611 was followed by contract NObs-159, PC1251-1254. |
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During the period of construction of the last mentioned contract, Brown was awarded contract NObs-403 for eighteen destroyer escorts, so that concurrently with PC's Brown Shipbuilding Company was building Navy facilities on Green's Bayou. |
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Construction of the steel sub-chasers was done in much the same manner as that by which the first vessels at Consolidated Steel Corporation were built. It was necessary for Brown to start the training program, as was done at Consolidated Steel, to train workers to be able to qualify for ship construction. Again the Navy assisted in the setting up and operation of the training program. |
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The fact that the main propulsion engines were changed from Fairbanks Morse to HOR engines brought about some confusion. The HOR engines were somewhat longer than the Fairbanks Morse engines, and there was quite a change in the auxiliaries. When all factors involved are taken into consideration, it is felt that a maximum of efficiency was obtained in the construction of these steel sub-chasers. |
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