Page 18 - Spring World of Welding - HIWT

Military Veterans… we are still here supporting you

By: Janet Piechocki

Hobart Institute of Welding Technology got its start as a
department of Hobart Brothers back in the 1930’s. In 1940, the
State of Ohio granted a charter to Hobart Trade School as a
501(c)3 nonprofit educational facility. This was at a time when
World War II was just ramping up. The welding school trained
hundreds of welders between 1942 and 1945 for World War II
production of military vehicles, ships, and equipment.

The Naval Liberty Cargo Ships were built back in the day of
“Rosie the Riveter” and they were initially riveted together
starting with the S2 (Steam Engine). This design was modified
by the US Maritime Commission to a new design, (the C1), that
replaced riveting with welding. The problem with riveting is that
cargo ships took on water because of leaks, and many sailors
met their demise. Between 1942 and 1945, 2,710 Liberty Ships
were mass produced at a cost of $2 million, which in today’s
terms would equate to $36 million. SS John W. Brown on the Great Lakes in 2000. John W. Brown is one of only
two surviving World War II Liberty Ships, the other being the SS. Attribution:
Today, that Hobart Institute of Welding Technology tradition of Project Liberty Ship
supporting our men and women veterans looking to join the skilled
trades continues. We are working with veterans groups that realize How did this happen? I think the main thing is that Hobart Institute’s
the trades can be a rewarding and lucrative experience. Although staff truly cares about our students and diligently helps them to be
we are all experiencing the effects of a pandemic in 2020, there successful. We are here to continue the tradition of supporting the
is no other more exciting or lucrative time to be in the trades than essential people on the front lines that provide critical infrastructure
right now. Hobart Institute currently is training the largest group to our military and manufacturing communities including aerospace,
of male and female veterans that we have seen in recent history. nuclear, shipbuilding, construction, pipeline, offshore energy, etc.
The amazing thing is that these people come from Strategic Welders have a humble background and sometimes feel like they
Arms Command, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Naval Surface are in the shadows. Instead, welding is the backbone of the nation
Command and many other branches and a large number of bases. and when our communities need welders, they realize they can
As of last year, HIWT obtained Department of Defense compliance. depend on how important we are to the enhancement and safety of
Another way that we support the military is through our Accredited their lives.
Test Facility, often testing and providing certifications from within
the United States as well as offshore. Specialized training goes
hand-in-hand with these efforts and is also a very important way we
support our veterans and manufacturing throughout this country.

The construction of a Liberty ship at the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyards, Baltimore, Maryland, in March/April 1943.

Day 2: Keel plates are laid. Day 6: Bulkheads and girders below Day 14: Upper deck is in place. Day 24: Ship is ready for launch.
Image: LIbrary of Congress second deck are in place. Image: LIbrary of Congress Image: LIbrary of Congress
Image: LIbrary of Congress
Arbuckle, A. (2017, May 14). Inside the Baltimore shipyard that produced hundreds of WWII vessels at incredible speed.
Retrieved May 21, 2020, from https://mashable.com/2017/05/14/building-liberty-ships/

Return to Table of Contents www.welding.org - 18 - 2020 SPRING ISSUE