This series contains photographs of steelworkers and equipment detailing the steel casting process used for making large steel components for Liberty Ships constructed in Portland (Or.) area shipyards during World War II.
Supplemental descriptive information contributed in 2019 by Chris Horn, Facilities Director for Columbia Steel.
Unidentified men work on finishing several steel cast pieces at Columbia Steel Casting Company. A stern frame casting is being polished in the foreground.
Workers pouring steel from the ladle into molds in the Columbia Steel Casting Company foundry. Pictured to the left of the ladle is Lee Beavers. In the foreground of the picture, D. C. Gore, furnace department foreman, is preparing to put riser compound on the riser top once pouring is complete.
A view of the stern subassemblies for a Liberty Ship showing how the stern frames produced by Columbia Steel Casting Company were welded to the ship’s hull plates.
Two employees work on stern frame of ship at Columbia Steel Casting Company. One employee uses a cutting torch to remove a riser and one uses a pneumatic chipping gun.
Two employees help guide a large, ship's hull casting as it is removed from the mold by a crane at Columbia Steel Casting Company. Note mold half in background with employee riding on top as it’s moved with a crane.
An employee welding a joint on a stern frame casting at Columbia Steel Casting Company. Several other employees are visible working on other pieces in the background.