The Defoe Shipbuilding Company

Students from Bay City Central High School recorded a documentary about the history of the Defoe Shipbuilding Company, which closed in Bay City in 1978. This is a Picturing Your Community in America program developed by the Michigan Humanities Council in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Michigan Television.

[@kirke420]

Thank you for this. I'm a DeFoe. My grandfather, (also) Kirke DeFoe, moved away from Michigan right before WW2. I'm not exactly sure how my family connects to DeFoe Shipbuilding, but I think it was through my great, great uncle or something.
I don't know much family history, and I don't know who to ask in my family, so this is wonderful to see.
My parents have an original blueprint for a DeFoe Cruisemaster that I hope to possess one day.

[@larryburkett9628]

I worked there after I graduated high school in 1970. That was an interesting year.

[@lovemrj4ever]

I am watching this with tears of pride in my eyes. My Dad worked for Defoe Shipbuilding as a welder for many years. When I was a little girl I had the privilege and thrill of watching a ship launching at Defoe.

[@randallhemingway7284]

Thanks for sharing!

[@phillipgarrow2297]

Great video I've never seen this one before

[@JW-xj1yf]

I spent 4 years 2 months as an engineer onboard USS Koelsch DE-1049 (FF1049). Our sister ship USS Voge DE-1047 is seen launching at 2:03. I have a souvenir a main space machinery pocket guide with Defoe Shipbuilding as publisher.

[@rilera63]

I grew up at that shipyard, my father was employed from 1958 until they closed at the end of 1976. He was chief naval architect.

[@kathleenjohnson3670]

I just discovered this video. Brought back many memories for me. I worked as an 18-year-old clerk-typist for the Navy Supervisor of Shipbuilding in the summer of 1965 and then again from 1966 to 1968. I then went to Washington, DC and worked for the Naval Oceanographic Office, which had commissioned the Knorr, the ship that helped find the Titanic. The guys in Defoe's yard helped me crate and pack up my belongings for the move to DC. I remember a guy named Junior, who was the Defoe employee who often interacted with our office. Also a gruff but kind yard worker who had lunch every day at the Empire grill. Two hamburgers every day. They had them on the grill for him before he even showed up....

[@fletcher3913]

The Navy ship USS Weiss APD 135 I served aboard was built at Defoe Shipyard 1944.45.

[@charlesseitz7448]

There's not one piece of metal left there is not one piece of wood song it's a huge Factory remaining. Nothing for a museum thanks a lot Bay City.😢

[@Harborman1691]

Good video. I lived in Bay City when those Navy Ships were built. I was attending Bay City Jr. College, it's last year then it was off to Delta College. Thanks for the good video.

[@dennisward4855]

my dad worked here.

[@MrChristianbass2170]

Very cool.