During World War II, Dravo Corporation's shipyard here was a leader in manufacturing Landing Ship Tanks for the United States Navy. With more than 16,000 workers, Dravo produced 145 LSTs. This yard and four other inland yards, all using techniques pioneered by Dravo, contributed two-thirds of the Navy's fleet of more than 1,000 LSTs. These amphibious craft proved vital to the success of Allied landings on enemy shores from 1943 to 1945.
