Support for Families with Children for Disabilities, The San Francisco Pride Office, Aids Legal Referral Project and the National Housing Law Project are at 1633 Mission St. San Francisco whic was one of many vocational schools used to train civilians to wrap pipes on ships with asbestos for the war effort. The site also taught welding and other skills necessary in ship building.
I ran into this listing for Treasure Island in the journal “Asbestos” while doing a search of a periodicals database and this led me to the “San Francisco War Production Training School” and its multiple sites listed below.
“San Francisco War Production Training School”
I found this pamplet describing the courses and locations. I will note if the site is still a school today and its google map location. Unforunately the courses were probably the same courses in each facility. I noted the Asbestos Training course and its description, they also taught welding and htis was very important in the shipbuilding for World wAr II. The Kaiser shipyards in Richmond were able to produce an entire liberty ship in 4 hours of time. The Japanese thought this was propaganda until they were able to confirm it. An amazing accomplishment that required training of hundreds of people at a time. I noted the 1633 mission site as it was the Shipbuilding School.
“San Francisco War Production Training School” – Pamplet –
San Francisco Public Schools – War Production Training Program.
Introduction:
This is short pamplet describes the San Francisco School system’s World War II training programs.
San Francisco Public Schools
War Production Training Program
Free training for War Production workers is offered by the United States Government in cooperation with the San Francisco Public Schools with classes conducted in the following locations:
- Shipbuilding School – 1663 Mission St. Google Map
- Samuel Gompers Trades School – 22nd and Bartlett Sts. Note: Currently City College of San Francisco – Mission Center – Article on the Samuel Gompers Trade School building – Google Map
- Balboa High – Onondaga Ave. and Cayuga Ave. Note: Still a High School Google Map
- James Denman Junior High – Onondaga Ave. and Otsego Ave. Note: Still a Junior High School Google Map
- San Francisco Junior College – Balboa Park – is currently San Francisco City College Note: Link on the history of the site – Google Map
- Abraham Lincoln High – 22nd Ave. and Santiago St. Note: Still there, still a school – Google Map
- George Washington High – 32nd Ave. and Anza St. Note: Still a school – Google Map
- Presidio Junior High – 30th Ave. and Geary St. Note: Name change to Presidio Middle School still in operation – Google Map
- Roosevelt Junior High.- Arguello Blvd. near Geary St. Note: Still in operation Name change Roosevelt Middle School – Google Map
- Marina Junior High – Fillmore and Bay Sts. Note: Still in operation, Name change to Marina Middle School – Google Map
- Galileo High – Van Ness Ave. and Francisco St. Note: Still in opration, Name is Galileo Academy of Science and Technology – Google Map
- Polytechnic High – Frederick St. and Arguello Blvd. Note: The good news it is new construction, no longer a school
Other Locations:
- Treasure Island – Chemical, Biological and Radiological training site that used Mustard Gas and all land contaminated with chemical weapons are by law not capable of being transfered to civilian authorities. The sale to the City is against the law, DOD regulations and the Chemical Weapons Convention which has a deadline for compliance of December 31, 2023.
- Aquatic Park
- Sperry Gyroscope Co.
- Maritime Hall
- Ship Invader
Offices: War Production Training
93 Grove St.; Joseph E. Clisham, Director
Shipbuilding School, 1663 Mission St.
Samual Gompers Trades School
Room 214, 22nd and Bartlett Sts.
Supervisors:
T. Paul Dutcher, Paul O’Rourke, E. A. Wolfe
Entrance Requirements
Those interested in enrolling in War Production Training Classes may obtain information at the United States Employment Service, 1690 Mission Street, or may enroll directly at the school where the instruction is given. This instruction is free and is available without discrimination to all persons, male or female, employable in War Production Work.
Capable interviewers are on duty from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. at the Samuel Gompers Trades School, 22nd and Bartlett Streets, and at the Shipbuilding School, 1663 Mission Street. Those interested in additional information as to the courses offered or the employment possibilities are welcome at these two locations.
All courses are designed for the needs of the industry concerned. Hours are arranged for the convenience of the majority of the students. New classes are started as the need demands.
These courses have the endorsement of the War Manpower Commission, Labor, Management, and the United States Employment Service.
Training is Offered in the Following Trades:
Aircraft Engine Mechanics
Aircraft Assembly Mechanics
Aircraft Sheet Metalsmith
Aircraft Mechanics (Pan-American Airways)
Acetylene Welding
Arc Welding
Communications (Land-line Morse, Teletype, Mux)
Asbestos Pipe Covering
General Machine Shop
Marine Drafting and Layout
Marine Electrical Installation
Marine Machine Shop
Marine Steamfitting and Pipefitting
Seamanship
Sheet Metal Fabrication and Layout
Radio Repairman – (Signal Corps)
Shipfitting
Ship-Lofting
Shipwright and Joiner
Asbestos Pipe Covering
All ship steam pipes, hot water lines, and steam boilers are covered in a fireproof jacket of asbestos. Refrigeration systems are all insulated with cork and hair felt. This material is then covered with canvas that must be sewed or pasted, The work is not heavy, and workers in this field are in great demand at all times. Only men are employable at the present time. The industry encourages those in allied fields such as painting, plastering, brick laying, tile setting, and cement finishers, to take this training.
This is a pre-employment course, and those who complete the work begin employment at journeymen’s rate of pay.
Disaster Area 
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