New Orleans has a long and complex history with the shipping industry and these photos reveal this in a really unique way. These photos capture what this port city looked and felt like in the late 30s and 40s as New Orleans became a big player in the Naval industry, that was expanding leading up to America’s entrance into WWII. You’ll be fascinated by these pics!

1) Unloading the boat
Yale.edu / Russell Lee
People on boats, bringing in scabs. New Orleans, Louisiana
2) Rolling the drums down to the warehouse
Yale.edu / Russell Lee
Stevedores handling drums. New Orleans, Louisiana
3) Taking oysters off the boat
Yale.edu / Russell Lee
Unloading oysters from packet boat arriving at New Orleans, Louisiana
4) Catching a nap
Yale.edu / Russell Lee
Stevedores sleeping on pile of lumber on bow of packet boat on Mississippi River below New Orleans, "El Rito"
5) The El Rito in Pilottown
Yale.edu / Russell Lee
Unloading lumber from packet boat El Rito, Pilottown, Louisiana
6) Poydras St. Dock
Yale.edu / John Vachon
Loading sacks of flour onto a ship at the Poydras Street dock, New Orleans

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7) Ramp boats for use in WWII
Yale.edu / John Vachon
Ramp boats under construction at the Higgins shipyards
8) Relaxing at the water's edge
Yale.edu / Russell Lee
People sitting on dock, New Orleans, Louisiana
9) Navy shipyard in New Orleans
Yale.edu / Howard R. Hollem
Higgins Industries, Inc., New Orleans, La., makes torpedo boats and other boats for the Navy
10) First mate on the El Rito
Yale.edu / Russell Lee
First mate of packet boat El Rito sitting on ladder to boat deck, Louisiana
11) Coming up to the dock
Yale.edu / Ben Shahn
People on boats, bringing in scabs. New Orleans, Louisiana
12) Fishermen's supply
Yale.edu / Russell Lee
Front of fisherman's supply house, Decatur Street, New Orleans, Louisiana

Aren’t those photos amazing? What did they make you think about that time? Let us know in the comments below. We love to hear your comments and feedback!

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