“The officers and men of the Merchant Marine, by their devotion to duty in the face of enemy action, as well as natural dangers of the sea, have brought us the tools to finish the job. Their contribution to final victory will be long remembered.”

~ General Dwight D. Eisenhower on National Maritime Day, 1945

The 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion brings to mind the conflict which redrew the map of Europe and changed the course of history. Although the United States did not enter World War II until December 8, 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the nation quickly ramped up its military and industrial production capacity to meet the enormous challenges we and our allies faced in oceanic shipping. With German U-Boats sinking dozens of ships every month, America responded with a vessel that helped us win the war. That was the Liberty Ship—and today remnants of one stand in Kennett Square.

Following World War I, America’s merchant fleet had deteriorated and declined in numbers. The Merchant Marine Act of 1936 began a shipbuilding program which would reverse that trend. Hitler’s aggressive actions targeting Allied shipping provided a catalyst to quickly ramp up production. Started under President Franklin Roosevelt, the Emergency Shipbuilding Program eventually created 5,500 vessels, more than half of them dubbed “Liberty Ships.” Roosevelt wanted to bring liberty back to Europe in a time of chaos- and these ships aided immensely in that effort.

Liberty Ships were built on an English design modified for simplicity and speed of production. The vessels were 441 feet long and 57 feet wide with a 2,500-horsepower steam engine; they could carry approximately 10,000 deadweight tons. Interestingly, they were designed to last only five years, but were sturdy and quite useful. Roosevelt said, “I think this ship will do us very well. She’ll carry a good load.”

The first Liberty Ship was launched on September 27, 1941. It was named the SS Patrick Henry, after the man whose yell “Give me liberty, or give me death!” helped spark the American Revolution. Liberty Ships were mainly used to move cargo, but in some instances they carried troops as well. The project also helped further advance American shipbuilding technology, using a cold-rolled steel process and advanced welding techniques to produce the first completely welded ships. A total of 2,751 Liberty Ships were built between 1941 and 1945. Because German U-Boats were faster-moving and destroying so many vessels, the relatively slow Liberty Ships were supplanted by Victory ships, which could attain higher speeds.

Old timers may remember Alvin’s Department Store in Kennett Square, which was constructed in 1948. It was built using steel beams from a Liberty Ship. Real estate developer Larry Bosley purchased the building in 2010, revamping it, wanting to bring more people into downtown to revitalize the area. One can see the 40-foot beams as you walk around inside The Market at Liberty Place on State Street. Bosley has succeeded quite well, with a building which encompasses 32,000-square-feet of both retail and office space.

The Market at Liberty Place now holds eight restaurants serving a variety of foods, from sandwiches and soups to pizza, burgers, Mexican and other casual cuisine. The newest venue— Verde—opened in April 2024, offering a multi-ingredient salad bar and other tasty options. Walking around the place, you can feel the “presence” of the once sturdy Liberty Ships as you touch the beams supporting a steel roof which was once part of a ship used during the greatest conflict the world has ever seen. Larry and his son Geoff are proud of their establishment—and welcome visitors to Kennett Square to dine there. They offer libations at their bar- and also live music on weekends.

The Liberty Ships have not completely disappeared; a few still remain. One of them—the SS John W. Brown—is in the harbor at Baltimore, Maryland. The ship is open to the public for tours and also offers cruises. A somber note regarding these vessels is worth mentioning. Despite their focus on shipping rather than combat, the men aboard these ships faced great danger each day on the water. Of the nearly 250,000 volunteer merchant mariners who served during World War II, more than 9,000 were killed.

Today you can see portions of one of these proud vessels in downtown Kennett Square, thousands of miles from where they carried our men and supplies around a dangerous world. Thanks to Larry Bosley and Geoff Bosley, we have this subtle monument to ships which helped us triumph and defeat the evils of Naziism and fascism which threatened to destroy our way of life. As you sit and enjoy your meal, think about how important a role these stalwart carriers played in making the world “safe for democracy.”

Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square. His 11 books focus mostly on the history of the Chester County/mid-Atlantic region. Gene’s latest book is “Heritage of the Brandywine Valley”, a beautifully illustrated hardcover book with over 250 images showcasing the fascinating people, places and events of this region over more than 300 years. His books are available on his website at www.GenePisasale.com and also on www.Amazon.com. Gene can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].