KAISER SHIPYARDS, RICHMOND CA,
Home of the Red Oak Victory Ship and dozens more made during World War 2.
Kaiser Permanente, Kaiser Shipyard, Luis Fuerte, Naval Reserve Fleet,Rosie the Riveter, SS Red Oak Victory, Suisun Bay, World War II, WWII
Overall, there were 747 ships commissioned but the Red Oak, names after Red Oak Iowa, which had a contingent, was the fastest made – in 7 days. (California Gold Episode from Jan, 1999)
Huell interviews many of the original workers including the women who came to be known as Rosie’s Riveters in this 1999 interview
Working around the clock and 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Kaiser shipyard in Richmond California built 747 ships for the war effort during W.W.II. With full medical care, housing, day care and 24 hour meals, it was the model of efficiency and the forerunner of Kaiser Permanente.
In this episode,originally aired in March, 1999 of California’s Gold, Huell and Luis visit the site ofthe Kaiser Shipyard and talk with people who worked there throughout the war,including some “Rosie the Riveters” who took the place of the many men who were overseas.
A special treat as they follow one of the original Victory ships that was built at the shipyard as it returns home. The SS Red Oak Victory was saved by the city of Richmond and towed out of the Naval Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay down to its new home where it will be restored and used as a museum. We’ll tag along on this exciting day as a piece of California’s Gold comes home.
NICE TREAT WITH HUELL HOWSER’S LONGTIME CAMERAMAN, LUIS FUERTE
