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Private company

Merchant Shipbuilding Corporation

The Merchant Shipbuilding Corporation (abbreviated MSC) was an American corporation established in 1917 by railroad heir W. Averell Harriman to build merchant ships for the Allied war effort in World War I. The MSC operated two shipyards: the former shipyard of John Roach & Sons at Chester, Pennsylvania, and a second, newly established emergency yard at Bristol, Pennsylvania, operated by the MSC on behalf of the U.S. Shipping Board's Emergency Fleet Corporation (EFC). MSC completed only four ships before the war's end.2 It is headquartered in United States.1 It ceased to exist in 1923.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1917Founded1
  • Industryiron and steel industry, shipbuilding1
  • HeadquartersUnited States1

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Launch of the Amcross
Photo: J.E. Green, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

The Merchant Shipbuilding Corporation (abbreviated MSC) was an American corporation established in 1917 by railroad heir W. Averell Harriman to build merchant ships for the Allied war effort in World War I. The MSC operated two shipyards: the former shipyard of John Roach & Sons at Chester, Pennsylvania, and a second, newly established emergency yard at Bristol, Pennsylvania, operated by the MSC on behalf of the U.S. Shipping Board's Emergency Fleet Corporation (EFC). MSC completed only four ships before the war's end.2

The story

Founded by W. Averell Harriman in 1917.1

Leadership

Who has led Merchant Shipbuilding Corporation, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Timeline

  1. 1923Dissolved Dissolved1
  2. 1917Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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