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All the United States Virginia Alexandria World War I-Era Rudder
AO Edited

World War I-Era Rudder

This rudder is one of the few remnants of a shipyard that once operated on the banks of the Potomac River.

Alexandria, Virginia

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Dark Nebula Deluxe
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The rudder under the bridge.   Dark Nebula Deluxe / Atlas Obscura User
The rudder under the bridge.   Dark Nebula Deluxe / Atlas Obscura User
The rudder and the interpretive sign in front of it.   Dark Nebula Deluxe / Atlas Obscura User
The rudder under the bridge.   Dark Nebula Deluxe / Atlas Obscura User
Rudder with historical sign.   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
Interpretive sign   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Soon after the United States entered World War I in 1917, the government placed a heavy emphasis on shipbuilding, including the construction of merchant ships. This led to the government issuing many new contracts to new privately owned shipyards that opened up on the country’s coastline, particularly the East Coast. 

The Virginia Shipbuilding Corporation, based in Alexandria, Virginia, was one of these companies. Construction on the shipyard on infilled land at Jones Point began in 1918, and the company launched its first ships in 1919. The end of World War I in 1918 did not necessarily affect the company’s business. However, allegations of either corrupt or questionable business practices plagued the company, and lawsuits and a Congressional investigation related to those allegations led to the shipyard being closed in 1921 and the site being largely demolished in the decade afterwards.

One of the few objects that survived from the shipyard was a wooden rudder that was found in 2000 in the Potomac River. Although the use of a wooden rudder on a modern steel cargo ship during the World War I era may seem unusual, such a rudder could be built cheaply and quickly, and the rudder was as functional as a steel one. In any case, the salvaged rudder is now on public display underneath the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, where casual visitors to the area can learn about the hidden industrial heritage of this part of Alexandria.

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Ships Military History World War I

Know Before You Go

The rudder is located in Jones Point Park underneath the eastbound lane of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge and adjacent to the park’s bathroom facilities.  The park is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is fully accessible.  The site is a 15-minute walk from the center of Alexandria. People traveling by car can use the parking lot just north of the bridge.

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Dark Nebula Deluxe

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blimpcaptain

  • blimpcaptain

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February 4, 2025

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  • https://www.nps.gov/articles/virginia-shipbuilding-corporation.htm
  • https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=61952
World War I-Era Rudder
100 Jones Point Dr
Alexandria, Virginia, 22314
United States
38.792665, -77.041728
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