Built for Victory

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the nation faced an urgent need for ships, and the Texas coast was ready to answer the call. Built for Victory explores the remarkable shipbuilding effort that took place along the Texas coast during and after World War I. With steel in short supply, shipbuilders turned to an abundant Texas resource: pine. Shipyards sprang up along the coast, including yards in Orange, Beaumont, Houston, Aransas Pass, and right here in Rockport. The exhibit tells the story of the Emergency Fleet Corporation and its ambitious effort to build wooden steamships for the war effort. Discover the innovative Ferris-class vessels built from Texas lumber, experimental concrete barges launched in Aransas Pass, and the story of Heldenfels Brothers Shipyard, which brought wartime shipbuilding to Rockport and employed hundreds of local workers. But the story didn’t end with the armistice. Many of the vessels built during this extraordinary period were never completed or were later dismantled and sunk. Today, some of their remains rest beneath Texas waters, where they have become part of the state’s maritime landscape and unexpected habitats for fish and wildlife. Built for Victory reveals a fascinating chapter in Texas maritime history, showcasing the ingenuity, ambition, and determination that helped transform the Texas coast during a pivotal moment in history. Built for Victory is open now in the Museum’s Main Exhibit Gallery and is available to view during regular Museum operating hours, Tuesdays – Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.