Ingalls Shipbuilding

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Ingalls Shipbuilding is a shipyard located in Pascagoula, Mississippi, originally established in 1938, and is now part of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. It is a leading producer of ships for the US Navy, and at 10,900 employees, the largest private employer in Mississippi.

[edit] History

Ingalls was located where the Pascagoula River runs into the Gulf of Mexico. It started out building commercial ships, but in the 1950s started bidding on Navy work, winning a contract in 1957 to build 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Litton Industries acquired Ingalls in 1961, and in 1968 expanded its facilities to the other side of the river. Ingalls reached a high point of employment in 1977, with 25,000 workers.

On 29 August 2005, Ingalls facilities were damaged by Hurricane Katrina; most of the ships in dock and construction escaped serious harm. While shipbuilding was halted for a while due to the destruction of many buildings, most vehicles and the large overhead cranes, the facility continues to run today, partly in recovery mode.

[edit] Products

Ingalls' primary product has been naval ships, although it also produces offshore drilling rigs and cruise ships, and has done naval projects for Egypt, Israel, and Venezuela. In the 1950s, Ingalls attempted to enter the diesel locomotive market. They cataloged an extensive product line, but only one example, known as the model 4-S, was produced. It was sold to the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad. Ingalls also manufactured covered hoppers in the early 1980's, producing around 4,000 cars, primarily for the lease market via North American Car.