Todd Shipyard

Category: Shipyards & Industrial Sites

Active shipyard: Robins Dry Dock Co.1864-1916; Todd Shipyard 1916-1980s
Graving Dock No. 1: 1886-2005

Description: The shipyard established by William Todd was the leading independent ship builder and repair yard in the country in the 20th century, playing a pivotal role in World War II. The history of the company mirrors the history of shipbuilding in America. The engines and propeller of the USS Monitor were built by DeLameter Iron Works (aka Erie Basin Dry Dock Co.), later merged with Robins Dry Dock & Repair Co.(1904) where a young William Todd ascended to company president and finally owner. 1983 was a peak year with Todd operating seven shipyards around the country, yet by 1987 the company was bankrupt. today, it still operates as Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. In 1986, the Brooklyn yard was sold to Rodermond Industries, which failed in the 1990s. The Red Hook Graving Dock continued operation under United States Dredging Co.

Originally, Graving Dock 1 was built of timber by excavating the basin to a length of 540 feet, later enlarged to 600 feet, and in 1928 it was completely rebuilt out of concrete and steel to 750 feet. It's twin, Graving Dock 2 was buried under landfill in the 1970s.

The remnants of the Yard, including the working graving dock and 1860s Pump House, were
demolished to make room for the parking lot of the world's largest Ikea.