Memorial Tributes Volume 1 (1979) / Chapter Skim
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William Francis Gibbs
William Francis Gibbs
Pages 77-84
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From page 77... ...
An early interest in ships was undoubtedly sumulated when, as a boy, he had the opportunity to witness a ship launching at the Cramp shipyard} in Philadelphia. This interest was confirmed and strengthened by a number of transatlantic crossings he made with his younger brother, Frederic, starting in 1901 with a trip on the White Star Liner Oceanic, the largest transatlantic passenger ship at that time.
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From page 78... ...
Work on this project was interrupted by the entry of the United States into World War I in April 1917.
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From page 79... ...
The great new German passenger liner Vaterland, which made her maiden voyage to New York in May 1914, was trapped there by the opening of World War I and seized by the United States Government for use as a troop ship in 1917, when it was renamed the Leviathan. At the end of the war, the United States Shipping board decided to convert the Leviathan for passenger service, and the Gibbs brothers were asked to organize an independent firm to supervise this work.
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From page 80... ...
This was the largest merchant ship built in this country up to that time and had safety features, including fire resistant construction, to a degree unequalled by any other passenger ship of the period. Completed in 1940 by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., she could not be used by the United States Lines in her intended service because of the war in Europe.
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From page 81... ...
Gibbs had been to see a great ocean liner built to their design. TheAmerica, which was completed just prior to our entry into World War I1:, was the largest passenger vessel built in the United States up to that time, and a fine and popular ship, but not a true competitor with the'l'ast superliners, the Queen Mary, Normandie, and Queen Elizabeth.
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From page 82... ...
Because of his interest in the subject, the New York City Fire Department retained him as a consultant, and, in 1937, he designed and supervised the construction of the New York City fire boat Fire Fighter. Still the most powerful fire boat in the world, the Fire Fighter has demonstrated its great value many times at waterfront fires that were unapproachable by other means or even by ordinary fire boats.
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From page 83... ...
Great engineering projects require the coordinated efforts of many people. William Francis Gibbs was a natural leader, who inspired great loyalty in his staff and confidence and cooperation in those with whom he did business.
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