Sullivan Drydock and Repair Corporation
| Industry | Shipbuilding and Ship repair |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Brooklyn, New York |
Sullivan Drydock and Repair Corporation was a shipyard located in Brooklyn, New York. It was located off 23rd St in the Tebo Basin. Sullivan DD&RC built Submarine chasers (PC boats), and altered, repaired and converted ships for various branches of the US military during World War II.
In 1937 Fred B. Sullivan, president, acquired Tebo Yacht basin from Robins Dry Dock Company and began operating there as the Sullivan Drydock and Repair Corporation. The Sullivan Company originated in 1871 with the Sullivan-Boyd Machine shop, which became the John W. Sullivan Company which designed and built marine steam engines for tug boats and steamers. Six months prior to the lease of Tebo basin, Sullivan operated a shipyard at Erie Basin. Sullivan's head, millionaire Fred B. Sullivan, committed suicide 30 August 1938. At that time Sullivan Drydock and Repair was described as "one of the oldest firms on the South Brooklyn waterfront."
The Sullivan Drydock and Repair Corporation began building ships in the Tebo Yacht Basin in the build up before World War II. Tebo Yacht Basin was used to build minesweepers during World War I. In March 1941, it was reported Sullivan had $4 million in defense contracts. When the keel was laid for USS PC-488 it was the first new construction in the basin since 1930. Sullivan's first defense job was to convert the 333 ft yacht Orion to USS Vixen (PG-53). It was said to be the world's largest yacht and had been owned by the recently deceased millionaire Julius Forstmann (1871–1939).
At Tebo basin, Sullivan had three ways to launch ships backwards and another three for sideways launches. Sullivan also had 4 floating dry docks and five piers for repairs. Prior to moving to Tebo basin, Sullivan operated in Manhattan, but had to move due to East River Drive. 800 men on two shifts were working 48 hours a week in March 1941.
Five shipyard officers were indicted on charges of fraud in July 1943. Attorney General Francis Biddle did not give an exact amount for the fraud, but said it was more than $100,000. On 6 August 1943, five Sullivan officials were sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy and fraud charges in July. Sentences ranged from 9 months to 2 years imprisonment and fines between $1,000 and $5,000. According to their defense attorney, Restitution of between $75,000 and $100,000 had already been made. Sullivan DD&RC was also fined $5,000.
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