The Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company (ADDSCO) located in Mobile, Alabama, was one of the largest marine production facilities in the United States of America during the 20th century. Beginning operation in 1917, the shipyard is presently owned by The Lehman Group (J.F. Lehman and Partners) and operated as Atlantic Marine LLC.
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During and after World War II, ADDSCO became the largest employer in southern Alabama, building Liberty ships, tankers and other vessels from the keel up, often at rapid speeds during the stateside war effort. The first yard was built on Pinto Island in Mobile Bay. During World War II, the facility was primarily tasked for production of the Liberty ships, but wartime losses caused a shift to repair of tanker vessels. Twenty Liberty ships were produced in Mobile.[1] From 1943 to 1945, 90 T-2 tanker ships were produced at ADDSCO.[2]
Thousands made their way to Mobile to find work. 18,500 were employed by 1943 including 6,000 African-Americans. Racial equality was an ongoing problem at the shipyard following the war. Although addressed repeatedly by both management and trade unions a small race riot erupted forcing the temporary closing of the yard.[1]
In the mid-1980s, the Mobile yard closed due to declining business and labor unrest. The facility later re-opened and remains in operation today.[3] It is now owned by an investment company headed by former U.S. Navy Secretary John Lehman, and is known as Atlantic Marine Alabama.[4]
The Ship Repair subsidiary of ADDSCO Industries,Inc.(Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Co.) closed in September 1988.The facility was then leased to Atlantic Marine in March 1989.ADDSCO Industries,Inc.operated profitably and was acquired by Atlantic Marine in December 1992.