J.A. Jones Construction Co., Brunswick, Georgia

By January, 1942, Allied shipping losses were running high and military authorities were asking for an increase in shipbuilding capacity. Although the Brunswick Marine Construction Yard started developing a shipyard facility in Brunswick, Georgia, the United States Maritime Commission was not satisfied with its progress. Therefore, the commission transferred the shipyard construction and its shipbuilding contract to the J.A. Jones Construction Company.

The Jones Company had no actual shipbuilding experience, but were recommended because of their reputation of having good management techniques. The Jones Company was open to trying new methods and soon proved that ordinary industry efficiency could improve shipbuilding operations. The company ran another shipyard at Panama City, Florida. Although both yards experienced their share of problems in meeting construction demands, they were able to meet the demands for building Liberty Ships with the help of new management and workers transferred from other projects. This shipyard contributed 85 Liberty Ships to the war effort.

Asbestos Use at J.A. Jones Construction Co., Brunswick, Georgia

The workers who built these ships were unknowingly exposed to the hazards of asbestos on a daily basis. Although the manufacturers of these products knew of the dangers of breathing asbestos, they never warned the shipyard workers. The crewmen who sailed on these Liberty Ships were also kept in the dark about the hazards of asbestos. These crewmen were exposed to the asbestos dust generated through the routine operation and maintenance of the asbestos covered equipment, piping, and machinery. All of these men are at risk today of contracting mesothelioma.