Remember the name Skinner & Eddy. The Site of Skinner & Eddy Shipyard stands as a testament to Seattle’s shipbuilding prowess during World War I. Incorporated in January 1916 by David E. “Ned” Skinner and John W. Eddy, this corporation quickly became a major force on the Seattle waterfront.
Skinner and Eddy weren’t your typical shipbuilders. They started as salt merchants. They then transitioned into the lumber industry. Their business acumen paved the way for their shipbuilding venture.
Within weeks of forming their company, Skinner & Eddy began constructing their first shipbuilding plant. They promised to deliver four new vessels before August 1917. Their first contracts were for two cargo steamships for a Norwegian firm. The second contract involved two oil tankers for Standard Oil. To meet these demands, they quickly expanded their workforce. By the summer of 1916, they employed 700 men.
Steel arrived at a rate of 1,000 tons per week. Skinner & Eddy expedited the construction of a third launching way. This ensured the timely delivery of the Standard Oil tankers.
The company’s efficiency was remarkable. Their first vessel, the steamship Niels Nielsen, was completed in September 1916. Skinner & Eddy’s organization was unparalleled. Material for the Niels Nielsen came from across the continent. Skinner and Eddy surrounded themselves with the best minds.
David Rodgers was one of those brilliant minds. He was hired as general manager in 1916. Rodgers started working in shipyards at the age of 8. By 21, he was renowned as one of the finest ship fitters in the world.
When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Skinner & Eddy ramped up production. They hired more workers and acquired more land. This made them Seattle’s largest shipyard. At its peak, Skinner & Eddy employed over 13,000 workers. The shipyard smashed production records. The steel steamship West Haven was completed in just 64 days. The West Lianga was launched in only 55 working days.
Wartime contracts totaled over $100 million. Skinner stressed the importance of speed. He said a day’s delay was a crime against the boys in France. President Woodrow Wilson even thanked Rodgers for his contributions.
After the war ended in 1918, government contracts dried up. Skinner & Eddy delivered its last ship in February 1920. The company closed its doors for good in 1923.
In 1931, the former shipyard became the site of Seattle’s largest shanty town. It was known as Hooverville. The camp housed 1,200 individuals during the Great Depression. City officials demolished it in 1941.
Skinner & Eddy built 75 ships between 1916 and 1920. These included 72 cargo ships and three oil tankers. The company’s legacy includes fast production and significant contributions to the war effort.
Today, the Site of Skinner & Eddy Shipyard serves as a reminder of Seattle’s industrial past. It highlights the city’s role in global events. Though the shipyard is gone, its impact remains etched in Seattle’s history.