Jeffersonville, IN: 1938-2018 Jeffboat Shipbuilding

(Satellite)

During its 180 year history, it built 12,917 vessels. Most of them were barges but it also built some towboats and drydocks. During WWII it employed 13,000 people. [WaterwaysJournal] "The company was the largest inland shipbuilder in the United States and the second-largest builder of barges before it closed in 2018." [dbpedia]

David Gulden posted two photos with the comment: "HECK OF A SHIPYARD IN HER DAY."

Gary Guillory: Built themselves out of business in the early 2000's flooding the industry with very well built barges.

I was really hoping to see them go back to building towboat as well. I considered them 2nd best, 1st being a tie between STL Ship and Nashville Bridge.

1

2

Henry gulden posted three photos with the comment: "JEFFBOAT."

Travis C. Vasconcelos: Nice old pictures of the yard.

Most appear to be in the late 50’s early 60’s.

The yard closed on the 1st of May 2018 and changed the face of the neighborhood almost immediately.

I still miss the shift whistles. Our staff today never heard them before and look at me like I’m an old timer when I mention them.

1

2

3

Kevin Hymel posted

A VERY BUSY Shipyard I Cut Picture Out Of Waterways Journal 

Thought It Was In St Louis…I May Be Wrong???

Karen Blanton: Jeffboat - Closed for good June 2018, what a shame!

 

Comments on Kevin's post

Jeff Underwood posted six photos with the comment: "Worked at JEFFBOAT 93-97’, LOVED that job , Shipfitter first class on the Ashland super oil tankers and chemical barge Rakes , we launched a boat a day ……👍👍👍🙂🇺🇸have many a story and hey to anyone out there on the old line."

Dylan Dexter: This is a cool post thanks for sharing I see Jeff boat on 80% of the barges we push through the locks here in Plaquemine Louisiana.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Once again, I save a satellite image because the facilities will be disappearing.

Satellite

gCaptain

The rail-mounted cranes still exist.

3D Satellite

3D Satellite

Photo by Kathey Freeman, courtesy of American Commercial Barge Line via WaterwaysJournal
This last barge was launched on April 23, 2018.

I fired up Google Earth to go back in time to try to find some work in development. I first found a flood.

Google Earth, Apr 2018

Google Earth, Apr 2017