This two-page photo spread appeared in the
September 1, 1941, issue of Life magazine. The photos show a busy Norfolk Naval Shipyard shortly before America's official entry into World War II. The photograph specifically shows the Yard's Pier Number 3, and the photographer took the picture from Building 163.
At the far left are USS
Texas (BB-35) and USS
Ranger (CV-4). Two unidentified destroyers (possibly USS
Rowan (DD-405) and
Stack (DD-406)) sit in front of
Texas. The Presidental yacht/ex-U.S. Coast Guard cutter USS
Potomac (AG-25) is docked in front of
Ranger. The pre-World War I and hard working ocean tug/ex-U.S. Coast Guard cutter USS
Acushnet (AT-63) sits at right, awaiting her next job. At the time, Norfolk Naval Shipyard was also building the battleship
Alabama (BB-60) and repairing the British aircraft carrier HMS
Illustrious, along with several other projects.
Appearing in the same issue of
Life was the above picture of 14-inch gun barrels from
Texas. The barrels had just been removed from the battleship and were awaiting transport to be re-sleeved. Looming over them is Norfolk Navy Yard's distinctive "Hammerhead" crane.
The ship in front of Ranger was misidentified. That is not the Presidential yacht/ex-U.S. Coast Guard cutter USS Potomac (AG-25) which is 165 feet in length. This is a 327 foot Secretary class cutter.
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