Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation

Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation is a former shipbuilding corporation in Chickasaw, Alabama. Following the company's closure, the land became a part of the Chickasaw Shipyard Village Historic District

Prior to the outbreak of World War I, the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company, a division of U.S. Steel in Birmingham, Alabama, recognized the opportunities which the Chickasaw area provided for shipbuilding with its location and deep waterway. On August 17, 1917, the company announced that a shipyard would be constructed in Chickasaw.Steel would be provided from the Fairfield, Alabama site of Tennessee Coal and Iron. A large area of land, including the location of the future city of Chickasaw, was purchased. In order to develop the shipbuilding business and the supporting infrastructure, three companies—Chickasaw Shipbuilding and Car Company, Chickasaw Utilities Company, and Chickasaw Land Company—were formed. Federal Shipbuilding developed the shipyard with twenty million dollars from the United States Navy.

The cypress swamp adjacent to the stream (Chickasaw Bogue or Chickasaw Creek) was drained, dikes were constructed, and drainage pumps were installed. Simultaneously, a company town was constructed to house and serve the shipyard workers.

Before operations at the shipyard could commence, the Armistice was declared. However, before closing, the Chickasaw Shipbuilding and Car Company produced and launched fourteen concrete ships destined for use as cargo ships. While some town occupants left for other opportunities after the shipyard closing, the remaining residents formed a tight-knit community. In April 1939, Mobile businessman Ben May acquired the shipyard and company town.

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