Burney Steigelmier uses a Isherwood web burner at Kaiser Company, Swan Island. Steigelmier is kneeling downward, wearing a head cover and face shield, next to a metal surface. This photograph was published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, June 11, 1944 (negative 2 of 6).

Doris Michaelis operates a burning machine while being watched by Burner Foreman Walt Keffer, at Kaiser Company, Swan Island. Michaelis is leaning downward towards the machine, which appears to be setup on a piece of metal. This photograph was published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, June 11, 1944 (negative 6 of 6).

Mrs. Ted Gamble, holding a wrapped champagne bottle, launches the S.S. Forbes Road from Kaiser Company, Swan Island. Warren Hull is holding a microphone, and Swan Island shipyard general manager A.R. Nieman stands on the left side of the frame. This photograph was published on page 8 of the Oregon Journal on Wednesday, June 21, 1944 (negative 3 of 9).

A crowd gathered to watch the launching of the S.S. Forbes Road at Kaiser Company, Swan Island. People stand along a raised fenced area, with the shipyard visible in the background. A photograph from this series was published on page 8 of the Oregon Journal on Wednesday, June 21, 1944 (negative 7 of 9).

People in a suspended metal box at Kaiser Company, Swan Island, at the launch of the S.S. Forbes Road. Other people stand at ground level and point upward towards the box. A photograph from this series was published on page 8 of the Oregon Journal on Wednesday, June 21, 1944 (negative 5 of 9).

The S.S. Forbes Road sliding down a ways into the Willamette River at Kaiser Company, Swan Island. Workers in safety hats are watching the ship, and wooden scaffolding can be seen at either side of the ways. A photograph from this series was published on page 8 of the Oregon Journal on Wednesday, June 21, 1944 (negative 9 of 9).

Louise Aaron, of the Oregon Journal, swinging a bottle at the hull of the U.S.S. Battle Mountain, upon its launching from Kaiser Swan Island. A man with a microphone is standing behind Aaron. This photograph was published on the last page of the Oregon Journal on Wednesday, September 13, 1944 (negative 5 of 11).

Two employees at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation extending their legs towards the camera, showing the bottoms of safety shoes (negative 1 of 2).

The U.S.S. Bronx, sliding down a ways into the Willamette River upon its launching from the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland. Wooden scaffolding can be seen at either side of the ways. A photograph from this series was published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, July 15, 1945 (negative 1 of 8).

Mrs. John Greenslade breaks a bottle on the hull of the U.S.S. Bronx, on the occasion of its launching from the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland. Next to Greenslade is likely her husband, Vice Admiral Greenslade. A photograph from this series was published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, July 15, 1945 (negative 7 of 8).

Three employees loading a large, stern frame casting onto a rail cart using a pulley hoist at Columbia Steel Casting Company.

An unidentified worker welding a joint on a cast-steel component at Columbia Steel Casting Company.

An employee using a hand grinder to smooth seams on a steel-cast component at Columbia Steel Casting Company.

Two employees cleaning steel-cast components with an electric swing grinder and a pneumatic chipping gun at Columbia Steel Casting company.

An employee using an electric swing frame grinder to clean skeg off a ship frame casting at Columbia Steel Casting Company. The caption at the bottom of the image reads, “Skeg being cleaned.”

Unidentified men working on a stern frame and other steel cast components at Columbia Steel Casting Company.

An employee using a swing grinder on the inside of a ship stern frame casting at Columbia Steel Casting Company.

An employee using a pneumatic chipping gun on a ship hull frame casting at Columbia Steel Casting Company.

An employee using a swing frame grinder to clean skeg off a ship hull frame casting at Columbia Steel Casting Company.

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.

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.

Employees using pneumatic chipping guns to clean a stern frame casting at Columbia Steel Casting Company.

Unidentified men work on finishing several steel cast pieces at Columbia Steel Casting Company. A stern frame casting is being polished in the foreground.

An employee uses an acetylene torch track burner to remove a riser from a ship frame casting at Columbia Steel Casting Company.

An employee uses a track burner to remove riser from a stern frame casting at Columbia Steel Casting Company.

An employee using an acetylene torch on a track burner to remove a riser at Columbia Steel Casting Company.

An employee using an acetylene cutting torch with a track to remove a riser from a hull frame casting at Columbia Steel Casting Company.