The launch of the SS Patrick Henry
Liberty Ships
On September 27, 1941, ten weeks before the United States entered World War II, a ship so unattractive that President Franklin Roosevelt called it an “ugly duckling,” slid down the skids at the Sparrows Point shipyard.
Christened the SS Patrick Henry, it was the very first of the navel marvel called Liberty Ships. Built for less than $2 million each in about two months from 250,000 prefabricated parts, each ship could carry almost five tons of cargo.
In all, 2,751 of them were mass produced—385 at Sparrows Point alone—to carry cargo, weapons and troops across the Atlantic. The ships were initially ordered by the United States Maritime Commission to send supplies to Great Britain. They quickly became part 
of the American war effort, hauling jeeps, tanks, airplanes, even locomotives on their decks while stowing millions of rounds of ammunition in their five holds.
Only two Liberty ships survive today, one on display in San Francisco and the other, the SS John W. Brown, a popular museum ship in Baltimore’s harbor.
Learn More
Project Liberty Ship: www.liberty-ship.com
General Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_ship
History of Liberty & Victory Ships & Lesson Plans: www.cr.nps.gov/nR/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/116liberty_victory_ships/116liberty_victory_ships.htm
Changes in the Workforce | Liberty Ships | MD Military Successes