The two Allied nations, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), far outproduced their Axis counterparts in warships. Strategically, both the US and the UK believed in two ocean navies as well as worldwide trade. Japan to a lesser degree depended upon trade but it was limited in scope to the Pacific and their navy reflected that fact. Additionally, the US and UK had or could develop resources and infrastructure to produce naval vessels. Germany sea strategy was one of denying the Allies of shipping capability versus the Allies blue water strategy of owning shipping lanes as well as military force projection.
Production Share
In 1940 and 1941 the UK was the leading warship producer by tonnage. In 1942 the US took over that role. 1941 was the year that the Axis nation had their largest share of the production pie at 36.2%. By 1943 the axis percentage stood at 11.9% and would fall to 7.5% by 1945.
Production Capacity
Historically not only were the UK and the US leading worldwide naval forces they were leading shipbuilders as well. The UK and the US could and would convert commercial shipbuilding facilities into military shipbuilding facilities. For example, prior to the war years Harland & Wolff in Belfast, Northern Ireland was famous for building ocean liners. However, during the war years Harland & Wolff transitioned to building built Abercrombie-class monitors and cruisers. Similar stories could be told of other British and American shipbuilders.
Liberty Ships
The production story of the Liberty ships is well known as the Kaiser shipbuilding facilities were able to reduce production time from more than a year to less than 90 days. Lesser known is Kaiser’s production of the Casablanca-class escort carrier. Kaiser’s bid to produce fifty escort carriers in two years was rejected as the Navy believed this was impossible. It took President Roosevelt’s advisers to intercede and award the contract. Kaiser delivered the fifty escort carriers on time.
The US was simplifying the design and using mass production techniques to produce quantity. The Axis nations were trying to streamline their production processes but overall, they were using traditional one at a time techniques. The US had forty-four shipbuilding facilities along their eastern, western and gulf coasts. The Great Lakes added eleven more bringing the grand total to fifty-five production facilities during the war years.
For the most part the UK and US shipbuilding facilities were not attacked by their enemies whereas the Axis facilities found themselves under Allied bombardment. Freedom from enemy harassment allowed their facilities to be set up with emphasis on production first and foremost.
Warships Produced by Nation by Total Tonnage 1940 to 1945 Data
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*submarines only. Germany produced very few surface vessels between 1940 and 1945.
Trueman, C. N. “Weapons And Manpower.” https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-two/weapons-and-manpower/, Data accessed on July 22, 2022
Other Naval Vessel Data Links
Merchant Ships Produced by Nation by Total Tonnage 1940-45
Allies Axis Weapon Production – Naval Forces
US Army Dead Weight Tonnage Pacific and Atlantic, Nov 41 – Dec 42
Gains and Losses of British Flag Tonnage (>= 1,600 gross tons)
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