Levingston Shipbuilding Company was a shipbuilding company at

Orange, Texas Orange is a city in and the county seat of Orange County, Texas, United States. The population was 19,324 at the 2020 census. It is the easternmost city in Texas, located on the Sabine River at the border with Louisiana, and is from Houston. ...

on the Sabine River founded by George Levingston. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

Levingston Shipbuilding Company built ships for the United States Naval Station Orange also on the Sabine River. George Levingston also purchased major shares of Joseph Weaver and Son Shipyard, also on the Sabine River. The company was started by Samuel H. Levingston in 1859.

Ships

First ship completed was in 1925, last ship was in 1982, as the company was sold to the company's CEO, Ed Paden. For

Levingston built Tank Barges a

Type B ship The Type B ship is a United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) designation for World War II barges. Barges are very low cost to build, operate, and move, and can transport bulky cargo. Because barges lack engines for self-propulsion, they are ...

and

Tugboat A tugboat or tug is a marine vessel that manoeuvres other vessels by pushing or pulling them, with direct contact or a tow line. These boats typically tug ships in circumstances where they cannot or should not move under their own power, suc ...

s a

Type V ship The Type V ship is a United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) designation for World War II tugboats. Type V was used in World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Type V ships were used to move ships and barges. Type V tugboats were made o ...

. Notable ships: * ** (1963) ** (1963) ** (1968) ** (1968) * 30 of 49 s ** ... ''ATA-125'' ** ... * RV Pacific Escort I * - Tank Barge *Staten Island Ferry

Kennedy Kennedy may refer to: People * Kennedy (surname), including any of several people with that surname ** Kennedy family, a prominent American political family that includes: *** Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. (1888–1969), American businessman, investor, ...

class

Historical marker

At the site of Levingston Shipbuilding Company is a historical marker that reads: ''In 1859, three brothers, Samuel, David and John Levingston, arrived in Orange from Ireland and purchased an existing shipyard, where they built wooden ships for more than thirty years. The some of Samuel Levingston, "Captain" George Levingston, established his own shipbuilding business in 1919-1920. In 1930, Levingston purchased five acres at Front and Mill Streets in Orange, enlarging his operation, and Levingston Shipbuilding Company operated from this location for the remainder of its existence. Incorporation in 1933 sustained the company during the slow economic times of the 1930s. Edward T. Malloy was hired in 1939 as a general manager, and stayed with the company for thirty-seven years, becoming president of the company when he bought the controlling interest in 1945.'' ''World War II brought a vast influx of business--the company had begun construction of military vessels before the United States entered the war, and continued to be a major supplier for the Army and Navy during the duration. Levingston Shipbuilding delivered its first vessel for the war effort, a 530-ton steel tugboat named Tuscarora on December 13, 1941. Between 1941 and 1945, Levinston built and delivered a total of 160 vessels for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army including tugs, tankers, barges and ocean going rescue tugs. After World War II, Levingston Shipbuilding changed with the economic times and became a worldwide leader in the design, engineering and construction of off-shore drilling rigs, jack-up platforms, and self-propelled drilling ships. Levingston Shipbuilding was the only U.S. builder of all five types of offshore drilling rigs until it ceased operations in 1985.'' Among the Drilling Ships built in the mid-seventies was the Glomar Java Sea built for Global Marine. Jack up Rigs for Diamond 'M' included the Diamond 'M' Gem. Ashland Chemical Company purchased the yard thereafter and built drilling rigs for their own operations.I am a Former Employee of Levingston a Marine Electrician on both of the projects mentioned.

External links

youtube.com, World War II Shipyards: Orange, Texas

References

{{Sotoyomo class tug Defunct shipbuilding companies of the United States Companies based in Texas 1859 establishments in Texas Shipbuilding companies of the United States American companies established in 1859