Weaver Shipyards

Weaver Shipyards, also called Weaver Brothers Shipyards was a shipyard in Orange, Texas on the Sabine River. The shipyard opened in 1897. The shipyard was founded by Joe Weaver and his son as Joseph Weaver and Son Shipyard. Joe Weaver was L.E. Weaver, known as Ed Weaver. In 1898 Levingston Shipbuilding Company founder, George Levingston purchased major shares of Joseph Weaver and Son Shipyard. Weaver Shipyard's early work was the construction work for Galveston Navigation District building barges. The yard was also active in building and repairing tugboats. In 1930 Joseph Weaver died and a new family partnership was made, L.E. Weaver and his son. Ed Weaver's son was L.A. Weaver. In 1941 Ed Weaver died and L.A. Weaver changed the shipyard to Weaver Shipyards. Weaver Shipyards became a partnership of several a Weaver family members.[1]

USS YMS-374 built at Weaver Shipyards in 1944

Location in Texas, United States

During World War II there was a great demand for shipbuilding under the Emergency Shipbuilding Program. Weaver Shipyards built for the United States Navy wooden minesweepers and two wooden Submarine chasers. United States Naval Station Orange was the overseer of the projects. The minesweepers were made of wood as wood did not attract Nazi Germany magnetic mines. YMS 66 launched on January 31, 1942, was Weaver Shipyards first minesweeper. YMS 66 was YMS-1-class auxiliary motor minesweeper:[2] After the war there was a surplus of ships and new building was slow. The yard continued in repair and upgrade work. Weaver Shipyards built small wood and steel shrimp boats. Weaver Shipyard operations were sold in 1975, with but Weaver still owned the land and leases the land.[3]