Gibbs & Cox

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gibbs & Cox is a U.S. naval architecture firm that specializes in designing surface warships. Founded in 1922 in New York City, Gibbs & Cox is now headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

The firm has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Hampton, Virginia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Adelaide, Australia (Gibbs & Cox Australia PTY LTD).^[1]

In 2003, more than 150 ships on active duty in nearly 20 navies around the globe, including 60 percent of the U.S. Navy's surface combatant fleet, were built to the firm's designs.^[2]

Among the ship classes designed by Gibbs & Cox are:

[edit] History

The firm was founded as "Gibbs Brothers" by self-taught naval architect William Francis Gibbs and his brother Frederic H. Gibbs. The name was changed when architect Daniel H. Cox of Cox & Stevens joined the firm in 1929. ^[3]

In 1931, Gibbs & Cox designed the MV Savarona, a large luxury yacht.

According to company officials, more than 70 percent of U.S. tonnage launched during World War II was built to Gibbs & Cox designs. Ship types included destroyers, LST landing craft, minesweepers, tankers, cruisers, Liberty Ships, and a variety of conversions.[1]

In 1950, Gibbs & Cox designed the SS United States, the largest liner ever built in the United States and the fastest liner built anywhere.