The Ships

World War I - The Emergency Fleet

Toward the end of the First World War, the United States commisioned the construction of twelve experimental concrete ships. None of the ships were finished until after the end of the war. Most were eventually sunk as breakwaters or recreational piers.

World War II - The McCloskey Ships

During the Second World War, another 24 concrete ships were commisioned by the US Maritime Commision. These ships were built by McCloskey and Company in Tampa, Florida. Due to improvements in construction material technology, these ships were stronger and more efficient than their WWI predecessors.

World War II - The Barges

Also during WWII, several fleets of unpowered concrete barges were commisioned.

The Powell River Floating Breakwater

The world's largest floating breakwater resides on the Powell River in Canda. It is comprised of ten concrete ships: seven WWII McCloskey ships, two barges and the last ship of the WWI Emergency Fleet.

The Kiptopeke Breakwater

Another nine of the WWII McCloskey ships were sunk to form a breakwater in the Chesepeake Bay at Kiptopeke, Virginia.