Speaker Series: World War II Shipyards by the Bay

Speaker Series: World War II Shipyards by the Bay

Join historian and author Nicholas Veronico for a fascinating presentation exploring the San Francisco Bay Area's pivotal role in World War II shipbuilding.

During the war, the Bay Area became the geographic center of a massive West Coast shipbuilding industry valued at the equivalent of $145 billion today. Stretching from the Golden Gate to Vallejo and Sunnyvale, 14 shipyards produced many of the vessels that helped secure Allied victory. Shipyards including Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Hunters Point, Bethlehem Steel, Permanente Metals, Marinship, and others transformed the region into one of the most productive industrial centers in history.

This remarkable wartime effort also reshaped American society, creating new opportunities for African Americans and women as thousands of workers relocated to the Bay Area to support the war effort. Among the many extraordinary achievements was the construction of the Liberty ship SS Robert E. Peary in just seven and a half days—a world shipbuilding record that still stands.

About the Speaker

Nicholas A. Veronico is an independent scholar, historian, photographer, and the author or co-author of more than 45 books covering transportation, military history, aviation, and local history. His work has earned multiple honors, including awards from the Military Writers Society of America and the San Francisco Press Club.

Event Details
Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026 Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Doors Open: 2:30 PM
Location: St. Peter's Chapel 1181 Walnut Avenue Vallejo, CA 94592
Admission
$15 Advance
$20 At the Door
No physical tickets will be issued. Check-in will be by name at the door.

Accessibility (ADA Notice)
Please note that St. Peter's Chapel is a historic building and is not wheelchair accessible. The Chapel is a contributing resource to the Mare Island Historic District and, due to its historic nature, cannot be made fully ADA accessible in accordance with 28 C.F.R. § 35.150(a)(2). Entry to the Chapel requires navigating steps at the entrance, and there are additional interior steps, including access to the altar and organ areas.