# "SHIPWAYS" WWII BETHLEHEM STEEL VICTORY & LIBERTY SHIP PRODUCTION DOCUMENTARY MD86514

"Shipways" is a 1945 film presented by the Bethlehem Steel Company – Shipbuilding Division. The film chronicles the transformation of the Bethlehem Steel Company’s shipyards into a powerhouse of American wartime production during World War II. It highlights the evolution of shipbuilding from ancient traditions to modern engineering and follows the dramatic acceleration of construction, launching, and outfitting processes for warships and cargo vessels. Key milestones include the launching of cruisers, destroyer escorts, Liberty ships, and aircraft carriers like the Lexington and Wasp, often built in record time. The narrative emphasizes the massive national mobilization required—training thousands of unskilled workers, expanding facilities, and coordinating with over 30,000 businesses across the country. As war demands intensified, Bethlehem broke records and achieved the seemingly impossible, contributing over 500 ships within two years. The film concludes with a message of unity, pride, and the enduring strength of American industry in the face of global conflict. 0:00 –Main titles. The film begins with a historical overview of shipbuilding, transitioning from primitive dugouts to modern warships, and introduces Bethlehem Steel's role in this evolution. 1:31 – The USS Topeka is launched at the Quincy yard, exemplifying the wartime acceleration of ship production. 3:47 – Bethlehem’s long-standing legacy in shipbuilding is highlighted, tracing its roots back to the builders…

- Kind: Documentary
- By: PeriscopeFilm
- Genres: War, Documentary, Industrial and advertising
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/md-86514-shipways-vwr)
- Licence or status: none stated by the archive
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/ia/md-86514-shipways-vwr?play=1)