Shipyard is a landmark documentary covering the creation and life of a wooden shipyard to respond to the Axis threat of WWII, it's continued growth through the 50's and 60's, as well as it's innovative role in the development and production of fiberglass boats.—Anonymous
It was the tall trees that brought the shipbuilder to the Pacific Northwest. An abundance of timber, which made this region the last frontier in the United States where wooden hulled ships where built. This is the story of a shipyard from birth to national leader.
The documentary film 'Shipyard,' is the story of Archibald W. Talbot, a man with no knowledge of boats, or ship construction, yet who built the largest, privately owned shipyard in the nation. He was a man of great integrity, much beloved by his employees, invocating the best principals of American ideals. The Bellingham Shipyards was a prime example of hundreds of small community shipyards constructing wooden support vessels during World War II and the Korean War era. Lasting only a few years, few of these yards existed long enough to have a comprehensive history documented, but they were instrumental in the growth and prosperity of our nation. Earning a total of six Navy E awards for excellence in production, the Bellingham Shipyards received the maximum possible.
Archibald Talbot was always scanning the horizon for new technologies and business opportunities. Talbot adopted new technologies to create radio stations, lamination companies, ski resorts, refrigeration warehouses and more. SHIPYARD explores the interconnectivity of these businesses and the opportunities presented by the success of the companies efforts.
During WWII, the plastic boats inspired Talbot to experiment and perfect small plastic boats. In 1952, Talbot revolutionized the entire boating industry throughout the world by pioneering the very first production line of fiberglass pleasure boats.
Over 6 years of research and over 140 hours of film and interviews, the workers of the Bellingham Shipyards, the oldest living congressmen of the World War II era, the builder of the first fiberglass boats, the president of the largest shipyard in the United States, and one of this decades most controversial political authors tell the story of Shipyard.
Shipyard is the first Documentary Project that also includes an accompanying 4500 item searchable Resource CD which archives the vast collection of photos, ship-plans, correspondence, newspaper and magazine articles as well as memorabilia and articles about the Shipyard that were used in the making of the film.
