Agnes Moore

Agnes Moore was a Journeyman Welder from 1942-1945 at Richmond Kaiser Shipyard #3.

NPS Photo

Agnes Moore

Richmond Kaiser Shipyard #3 - Journeyman Welder, 1942-1945

In Memory of...

Early Life and Move to California
Agnes Moore was born in February 1920, the sixth of seven children in Searcy County, Arkansas. In 1924, her father, the local sheriff, was killed in the line of duty, leaving her mother to raise Agnes and her siblings on her own, with ages ranging from 2 to 14.

As was expected of young women at the time, Agnes married at 16 and had a daughter by the age of 19. In 1939, she and her soon-to-be ex-husband moved to California, following her siblings to Salinas. Agnes found work in the vegetable packing industry but soon faced the challenge of supporting herself and her daughter after her divorce.

Answering the Call to Weld
One day, while driving, Agnes heard a radio announcer call on women to join the Richmond shipyards as welders. Although she had no idea what welding was, Agnes felt compelled to help with the war effort. She dressed in her finest attire and went to the hiring hall in Richmond. Despite being offered an office job, she insisted on becoming a welder.

Training and Work Environment
Becoming a war-time welder involved a two-week training class, after which Agnes was assigned to the Outfitting dock at Kaiser Shipyard #3. Here, she played a crucial role in finishing the ships after their initial construction, working in difficult conditions that required precision and resilience. Dressed in heavy leathers, steel-toed boots, and a welder’s cap, Agnes spent hours welding in tight, poorly lit spaces. The work was physically demanding, with the constant noise of chipping guns and other craftsmen adding to the challenge.

Challenges and Safety Concerns
The work environment posed safety risks as well. The welder’s hood protected Agnes’s eyes from the welding arc, but one day, she suffered a painful “flash” when a nearby worker struck an arc while her hood was up. This incident required medical attention and time off work.

Balancing Work and Motherhood
Balancing work and motherhood was another challenge for Agnes. She took advantage of the shipyard’s round-the-clock childcare services, working the graveyard shift while ensuring her daughter was cared for. Living in San Francisco with her sister and brother-in-law, Agnes commuted to Richmond by streetcar and ferry. In 1943, after remarrying, she and her husband Ray bought a house in Richmond.

Advancement and Reflections
After several months as a welder, Agnes passed the American Bureau of Shipping test, becoming a certified Journeyman Welder and increasing her pay rate to $85.00 a week (equivalent to $1,133.60 in 2015 dollars).

Reflecting on her experience, Agnes was proud of her contribution to the war effort. Welding in the Kaiser Shipyards remains one of the most rewarding experiences of her life, giving her the opportunity to support the troops and help bring the "boys" back home safely.