USS Appalachian (AGC-1) was the lead ship of the Appalachian class amphibious force flagships of the United States Navy. She was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract on 4 November 1942 at the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Company in Kearny, New Jersey; launched on 29 January 1943, sponsored by Mrs. John Frank Mclnnis; acquired by the Navy on 27 February 1943; converted at Brooklyn, N.Y., by the Todd Shipbuilding Company for naval service as an amphibious flagship; and commissioned on 2 October 1943.
USS Appalachian under way
Vigor Shipyards is the current entity operating the former Todd Shipyards after its acquisition in 2011. Todd Shipyards was founded in 1916, which owned and operated shipyards on the West Coast of the United States, East Coast of the United States and the Gulf. Todd Shipyards were a major part of the Emergency Shipbuilding Program for World War II.
From bottom left, Jumbo ferry M/V Spokane, USS Vandegrift (FFG-48), USS Halyburton (FFG-40) (center) under construction at 80% completion, USS Downes (FF-1070), and other ships at Todd Shipyards in Seattle, 1983
Master of Ceremonies and Vice President of Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation, Hans K. Schaefer, speaks during christening and launching ceremonies for the guided missile frigate USS Reid (FFG-30) at the Todd Pacific Shipyards Corp., Los Angeles Division, 1981, which closed in 1989.
The Erie Basin in 1945
Houston shipyard (right) in 1944, Brown S.B., later Todd Houston (left)
