Washington District of Columbia

Washington Navy Yard
U. S. Naval Gun Factory
1935 & 1943 Gun Shop

Furnished by : John G. Sharp

 

 
U.S. NAVAL GUN-FACTORY 1935 GUN-SHOP
Midnight to 8:00 A. M. Shift

This is a 1935 Naval Gun Factory photograph of the Gun-Shop workers 0000 to 0800 Shift. During the mid 1930's, Naval Gun Factory was beginning to work operations around the clock six days a week as the Roosevelt Administration began to modernize the fleet. The Gun Shop manufactured and repaired light weapons and boarding guns The Machinist and Gunsmiths who worked in this shop were some of the most highly trained and skilled in the factory. This photo was most likely taken at the end of their shift as the Shop employees are all wearing suits and ties. Sadly, like so many older photographs, we do not always know the name of the employees. Fortunately one machinist kept the photograph among his treasured possessions. He was Lyle Cook ,sitting in the first row (1st Row 2nd from the left) . Machinist Lyle V. ( Jack) Cook marked his location with an X. This photo is courtesy of Ms. Michelle M. Sawall and is now in the collection of the Naval Historical Center/Navy Department Library .

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Like too many other early Naval Gun Factory photos this one does not include any of the workers names. Hopefully one of our loyal viewers will be able to help identify some or all of these proud mechanics.

If any of our Genealogy Trails reader know any of individuals in this photograph please e-mail to :
DC Photo ID's
for their names to be included.

 

 
U.S. NAVAL GUN FACTORY 1943 GUN-SHOP

This photo is from John Sharp's collection and was taken at the Naval Gun Factory, Washington Navy Yard in April 1943.

The image was taken by official Department of the Navy photographers ( the Gun Factory was under strict security rules prohibiting all visitors & any type of photography for the duration of the war) of 16 inch gun manufacture. These heavy cannons were the major arsenal for the US Battle Fleet and this photo shows some of the complex operations needed to finish the guns as gigantic lathes complete the job and cut away remaining surplus steel.

There are at least four men in this photograph who are almost lost by the huge scale & number of the guns surrounding them.
Note also the enormous overhead crane used to lift these behemoth cannon.

 


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