Supplying Liberty: From the Cape Fear to the Front Lines

Liberty Ship at Sea - US Office of War Information 

A depiction of a soldier from the Ethiopian Regiment.  Courtesy of the NPS

The word "liberty" is a symbol of freedom and resistance used throughout history, appearing in various movements and happenings across the globe. Romans politicized around “Liberty poles” mounted with “liberty caps” after the assassination of Caesar. Formerly enslaved Africans carried banners stitched with “Liberty” on them during the Stono Rebellion of 1739 near Charleston. The Loyalist Ethiopian Regiment wore uniforms with “Liberty to Slaves” stitched on them while Patriots gathered around “Liberty Trees” during the American Revolution. The unsuccessful Great Irish Rebellion of 1798 is also known as the “Year of Liberty.” It was the “State House Bell” until abolitionists practically renamed it the Liberty Bell in 1835. Union soldiers proclaimed themselves a “beacon of light and liberty” during the American Civil War. Thus, it may be unsurprising that American ships built during WWII to ferry supplies to Allied soldiers were named Liberty Ships. What might be slightly surprising is that many of those Liberty Ships were constructed upriver in Wilmington. Indeed, in this month’s article, lets discuss Liberty Ships and how Wilmington became one of the eighteen shipyards that helped fabricate the most produced, single-design ship ever. 

"United Irishmen in Training" - This is an anti- Irish caricature. Note the tavern sign on the right. The artist included the “tree of liberty” and also “True French Spirit” to show the influence of the American and French Revolution on the Irish. Engraving by James Gillray published by H Humprhey, 1798. Courtesy of the National Army Museum

The massive amount of goods for the war effort caused a sudden need for a massive amount of ships to transport those goods. Consequently, American designers tweaked a British design to create the Liberty Ship. The 441 feet long vessels had the capability to transport a lot of goods. In addition, utilizing prefabricated parts facilitated a quick build while also being quick and cheap to manufacture (1). In only four years Wilmington shipbuilders pumped out 126 of those bulky beasts. That extensive shipbuilding prompted people to refer to Wilmington as the “Defense Capital of the State” during WWII. The innovative design and construction methods facilitated a quick build, yet, finding labor to build them was another question. 

Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year. Note the diverse crowd in the 1942 greeting card form the NC Shipbuilding Co. Courtesy of New Hanover County Public Library 

Menzette Peterson. A picture of Menzette from her school yearbook in 1941. "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: East Carolina Teachers College; Year: 1941

The NC Shipbuilding Co. employed approximately 21,000 workers throughout WWII. Not necessarily out of the goodness of their hearts the NC Shipbuilding Co hired women and African-Americans in lieu of white men who were away fighting. Indeed, 30 percent of the workers at the NC Shipbuilding Co were of African Americans. Black men were hired as skilled labors such as riveters, drillers, and shipwrights (2). One worker was 38 year old George Willie Judge who lived at 714 Campbell Street in Wilmington (3). Women were initially limited to unskilled tasks such as tool checker, yet, later advanced into skilled positions. A posting in the Wilmington Morning Star from 1947 announced the marriage of Menzette Peterson (4).  Peterson graduated from Atkinson High School, honeymooned in Myrtle Beach, and “during the war was employed at the North Carolina Shipbuilding Co,” (5).  These workers challenged social constructs to fill a vital role needed for the war effort. Indeed, that effort helped the United States produce three Liberty Ships every day for four straight years. Liberty Ships leaving Wilmington cruised down the Cape Fear River right past Bald Head Island. One can imagine that the last sight of home for the crewmembers aboard was the shining light of the Cape Fear Lighthouse, offering a farewell, and promising to guide them safely back.

The story of Liberty Ships is not just one of industrial achievement but also a testament to the enduring power of the word “liberty” and the people who gave it life. From ancient uprisings to modern wars, liberty has inspired resistance, unity, and action. In Wilmington, that spirit was made tangible through the labor of tens of thousands—Black and White, men and women—who challenged norms and rose to meet an extraordinary moment in history. As these ships sailed past Bald Head Island, guided by the steady beam of the Cape Fear Lighthouse, they carried with them more than cargo—they bore the hopes, sacrifices, and resilience of a nation. Wilmington’s legacy as a shipbuilding powerhouse during WWII stands as a reminder that liberty is not only an idea to be fought for but a collective effort to be built, preserved, and passed on.

1 -  By the end of the war it took less than a couple weeks to build a Liberty Ship. The fastest in under 5 days.

2 - At the Wilmington shipyard most common areas, such as the cafeterias, were segregated. Yet, the workspaces were integrated, which was quite atypical of the time.

3 - Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011

4 - Wilmington Morning Star, June 3, 1947.

5 - Ibid. Atkinson High School graduated students in Atkinson, NC, from 1920s – 1960s. The building survives and is now the town hall.