North Bend

Established during World War I by the U.S. Shipping Board, the Emergency Fleet Corporation contracted with shipyards located on the East Coast, West Coast, and the Great Lakes to build ships. This effort was to quickly build a massive cargo fleet to help the war effort. North Bend is significant as it was the first steamship completed, and it was built in just 120 days. News of its completion made its way to the East Coast, and soon thereafter, coastal communities were fiercely competing to build more ships, faster. Efforts to build ships faster and in record times helped to build pride in the mission.