Photos
A timeline of photos illustrating our rich shipbuilding past.
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Great Depression and WW II, Post War America
Boiler Shop History
Designed to support the assembly/erection of steam boilers for U.S. Navy WWII destroyers, the Boiler Ship was used for more than 50 years.
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The New Nation – 1880
Shipbuilding on the Kennebec River
Shipbuilding has been a way of life along the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, since 1762, when the sailing ship Earl of Bute was launched on the site of present…
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Oliver Hazard Perry Ashtray
This ashtray depicts USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7), which launched at BIW in 1976. The ashtray was owned by Lt. Cmdr. Stanley L. French, USN (Ret.), who worked his way…
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General Thomas Hyde Medal of Honor
This Medal of Honor was awarded to Gen. Thomas Hyde, the Founder of Bath Iron Works. He took over the Bath Iron Foundry in the fall of 1865 after his…
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Glass Ketchup Bottles
This Shrewsbury’s TomatoKetchup bottle was found in the former water area on the south side of the old Union Wharf. Only the base of the bottle remains intact with embossed…
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Katahdin Serving Tray
A serving tray that depicts the harbor defense ram USS Katahdin, which launched in 1893 at Bath Iron Works. Courtesy of Maine Maritime Museum.
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Moose at BIW Newspaper Clipping
Special thanks to BIW Retiree Dick Walker for sharing the news clipping and pictures with us. The article reads: Inquisitive Bear, Moose Pay Visits to Bangor, Bath BATH, Me,. Oct.…
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Outfitting Dept. Paint List
A paint list from the Outfitting Department at BIW in 1944 for the Sumner Class Destroyer USS Purdy (DD-734). The ship would go on to serve in WWII, the Korean…
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Ranger Keel Lead Fragment
In the 1937 America’s Cup, Bath-built J-class racing yacht Ranger defeated the British challenger Endeavour II 4-0, winning by over 17 and 18 minutes in the first two races. Pictured…
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Tool Chest
This is the tool chest of machinist’s tools formerly belonging to Albert B. (Bud) Henderson of Bath, who worked as a machinist until retiring in 1973. The chest of tools…
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Toolbox Label
This toolbox label, which was found in the ground while constructing the Kitting Terminal, was made in late 1980 or early 1990. On it was the employee’s name, location and…
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Union Wharf
While excavating for BIW’s new Kitting Terminal, portions of an old wharf were discovered in the mud. This wharf, named Union Wharf because it extended out from Union Street, ran…
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Modern Era
USS Mason Coin
This coin commemorates the last launch down inclined ways at Bath Iron Works. USS Mason (DDG 87) launched on June 23, 2001. Courtesy of Maine Maritime Museum.
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Notable Sea Trials of the Past
More than a century ago there was keen interest in a ship’s speed, and strong competition to build the fastest vessel – even if only a fraction of a knot…
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The DDG 51 Program and Today’s Shipyard
In 1991, BIW celebrated the delivery and commissioning of USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), BIW Hull 450, the first of the Aegis destroyers. As shipbuilders took pride in delivery of…
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The Portland Ship Repair Facility
In the early 1980s, BIW was busy with the FFG program and a substantial ship overhaul business, and looking forward to the Aegis cruiser program. It was clear the cruisers…
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Great Depression and WW II
The Racing Sloop Ranger
The racing sloop Ranger, Hull 172, stands out among the list of trawlers and destroyers built at BIW in the late 1930’s. Ranger was built to defend the America’s Cup,…
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Great Depression and WW II
The South Portland Shipyards
From 1940 to 1945 BIW played an unexpected role in the construction of two emergency shipyards in South Portland. The project began in 1940, when the British government sought to…
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Great Depression and WW II
Career of the USS O’Bannon (DD-450)
USS O’Bannon, BIW Hull 191, was BIW’s second Fletcher-class destroyer, launched on Feb. 19, 1942, along with her sister ship Nicholas, Hull 190. The new destroyer was delivered in Boston…
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Post War America
Into the 1950s – Modernizing the Shipyard and Supporting the Fleet
After building a variety of experimental ships in the immediate post-WWII years, BIW won several contracts for larger groups of ships in the early 1950s. In an era of tight…
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From Frigates to Cruisers to Destroyers
As the FFG program wound down, the Navy was preparing for construction of the next large surface combatants, the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers. The Ticonderogas were a version of the…
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Great Depression and WW II, Industrialization, Modern Era, Post War America, Progressive Era, WW1 and Roaring 20s
BIW and the Hyde Windlass Company
In the 1880s the Bath Iron Foundry, owned by General Thomas Hyde and located on Water Street in downtown Bath, was a well-established builder of deck machinery, such as windlasses,…
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Modern Era – 1982-2001
Portland Repair Yard
From 1982-2001, BIW leased the BIW Portland Repair Yard from the City of Portland. The Repair Yard came with a World War II era floating drydock. Nicknamed “the Hog,” the…
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Modern Era – July 27, 2024
Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) Christening Ceremony
On July 27, 2024, Bath Iron Works observed a powerful milestone as the future USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) was christened on our drydock. The ship is named for Cpl.…
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Progressive Era
Baker’s Flavoring Extract Bottle
One of the many artifacts found while excavating for the Kitting Terminal was a Baker’s Flavoring Extract bottle, which was probably discarded sometime around 1900. Its manufacturer, the Baker Extract…
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Modern Era – November 8, 2023
John E. Kilmer (DDG 134) Start of Fabrication Ceremony
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works celebrated the start of fabrication of the future USS John E. Kilmer (DDG 134) Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Structural Fabrication Facility in East…
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Modern Era – July 29, 2023
Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) Christening
BIW christened the U.S. Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, the future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) on Saturday, July 29, 2023. The ship is named for Col. Harvey…
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Modern Era – May 16, 2023
Louis H. Wilson (DDG 126) Keel Laying
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works celebrated the keel laying of the future USS Louis H. Wilson (DDG 126) on May 16, 2023. The U.S. Navy named the ship in honor…
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Progressive Era – 1905
Warship on the Stocks Postcard
This postcard, which was sent in 1905, shows the battleship Georgia (BB-15) being built at BIW. It was given to us courtesy of Sharleen B., who with her sister inherited…
