In 1942, the federal government ordered U.S. companies to stop discriminatory hiring for work related to war contracts. On May 25, after 12 newly promoted Black welders at the ADDSCO shipyard finished their first shift, they were attacked by a gang of some 4,000 white employees and others from the area. More than 50 people were injured, including many of the Black welders. The company was forced to create segregated working areas so that the men could work safely.
ADDSCO Welders
Courtesy of the Doy Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of South Alabama
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