“Building Liberty: African Americans and the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company during World War II”

Join North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport Manager John Moseley for a program that focuses on the creation of the Liberty and Victory Ships at North Carolina Shipbuilding Company from 1941–1946.

During World War II, more federal money was spent in New Hanover County than any other county within the state. While military bases employed many men and women, the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company was the Lower Cape Fear’s largest employer. Between 1941 to 1946, large numbers of skilled and unskilled Black workers did their part to create the so-called “bridge of freedom’ through the construction of Liberty Ships. The shipyard in Wilmington was unique in the country as it produced on average a lower cost ship faster than any other shipyard in the nation. In addition, unlike other shipyards, there were no riots based on racial lines; and the shipyard even created work gangs of mixed-race shift workers. Find out about this unique moment in the maritime history of the Lower Cape Fear during this presentation, which begins at noon on Feb. 8 in the Southport Community building.

The program is part of the 13^th annual Brunswick County Black History Symposium, which is hosted by the City of Southport, Brunswick Arts Council, NC Arts Council, and Southport Historical Society.