Description
The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Charleston Navy Yard at North Charleston, South Carolina. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following:
- Improve facilities, power plant, grounds, and distribution systems, and construct roads; Project No. 09-3-33-16; Cost: $764,550.00; Sponsor: Navy Department, Bureau of Yards and Docks
- Construct and Improve at Charleston Navy Yard; 109-3-33-17; $675,000.00; U.S. Navy Department
- Construct and rehabilitate buildings, structures, and facilities; 109-3-33-37; $1,200,000.00; Navy Department, Bureau of Yards and Docks
- Construction at US Navy Yard; 165-3-33-85; $809,000.00; U.S. Navy Department
- Clear site for construction of landing; 265-2-33-59; $8,272.00; Commandant, 6th Naval District, U.S. Navy
- Construct new offices and garages. repair drainage and storm sewer lines; 265-33-2002; $9,743.00; Commandant
- Haul sand from beaches; 265-33-200X; $432.00; Commandant
- Replace floor in barracks; 265-33-200X; $15,594.00; Commandant
- Construct and improve facilities; 265-3-33-105; $54,264.00; Commandant, 6th Naval District, U.S. Navy
- Construct hospital and improve facilities and grounds; 265-3-33-24; $266,890.00; Commandant, 7th Naval District, Charleston, U.S. Navy
- Construct buildings, utilities, and facilities, and improve grounds; 265-3-33-8; $1,944,751.00; Commandant, 6th Naval District, U.S. Navy
- Repair sea wall by rip rapping; 265-33-X00X; $24,562.00; Commandant
- Repair and rehabilitate buildings and structures; 265-33-X00X; $94,255.00; Commandant
- Paint the interior of the Chapel; 265-33-XXXX; $1,191.00; Commandant
- Make general repairs to electric system; 265-3X-2001; $468.00; Commandant
- Construction at US Navy Yard; 65-3-33-229; $147,591.00; U.S. Navy Department
- Construct storage yard; 703-2-31; $150,000.00; U.S. Navy Department, Bureau of Yards and Docks
- Complete construction of water storage facilities; 709-2-11; $825,000.00; U.S. Navy Department
- Rehabilitate U.S.S. Hartford; 709-2-21; $81,000.00; Commandant, Charleston Navy Yard, U.S. Navy, Yards and Docks
- Construct storehouse; 865-33-2-7; $90,000.00; Commandant, Charleston Navy Yard, U.S. Navy, Yards and Docks
- Repair, improve, and construct buildings, distributing systems, structures, and transportation facilities; X09-2-34; Navy Department, Bureau of Yards and Docks
- Repairs and additions to present sanitary sewer system; XXX-33-X0XX; $576.00; Commandant
- Repair, improve, and construct buildings, distributing systems, structures, and transportation facilities; 509-2-34; Navy Department, Bureau of Yards and Docks
The location and status of the facilities in question requires more research / is not known to Living New Deal.
“The Depression was hitting Charleston full-force when good news arrived in 1933. Charleston was to be designated as a new construction yard, thus creating the need for greater facilities and a much larger work force. The Yard became active in repairing, altering, converting and building of vessels. Coast Guard cutters and tugs, destroyers and a Navy gunboat were built.
Production increased and by 1939 there was a $3.5 million expansion and improvement program underway employing 1,800 previously out-of-work civilians. President Roosevelt came to Charleston twice to check on the Yard’s modernization. Charleston benefited from defense spending and employment at the Yard climbed to 2,400. With a severe shortage of housing in the area to accommodate the increased work force, three apartment projects were constructed to house the new workers and their families. First to be completed was the Tom McMillan Homes in March of 1941, followed by the Ben Tillman Homes and the George Legare Homes in August 1941.”…