I worked there 40 years ago, in the shop that made pistons and connecting rods for the B-24 during WWII. This plant, begun in 1857 and almost entirely built before 1929, was doomed like the USSR economy. BS made a lot of money making steel for skyscrapers, suspension bridges, Navy ships. But the pension plan was grossly underfunded. By1990, BS had many times more retirees than workers. Could not compete with foreign steel and Nucor.
My dad (Roger Hewitt) retire after 32 years at Sparrows Point (crane operator). My Great Grand Father (John Hewett) died on the PB&R falling under an engine in a snow storm in 1911. Grand Father and uncle retired from PB&R, Robert Hewitt Jr.&Sr.. There was Hartzel Hewitt who also retired from the mills, the only one left at 91. Yes and we do spell Hewitt with an i now but don't know why. A Big Thanks to all the steel workers that helped build America and gave us a good living.
Hopefully they still keep Bethlehem Steel alive with the sections that are still currently working and possible updates and make new areas for their employees. However, alot of the sites in those pictures are now being or have been torn down to be replaced with the Sands... casino, resort etc.. Bethlehem Steel is also famous for the ever useful I-beam...Awsome to see how you'v captured alot of the legacy is this slideshow. Ty
Hopefully they still keep Bethlehem Steel alive with the sections that are still currently working and possible updates and make new areas for their employees. However, alot of the sites in those pictures are now being or have been torn down to be replaced with the Sands... casino, resort etc.. Bethlehem Steel is also famous for the ever useful I-beam...Awsome to see how you'v captured alot of the legacy is this slideshow. Ty
Thanks. I enjoyed this very much. Iam a New Yorker transplanted to Philadelphia in 1995. I din't realize that Bethlehem Steel was in business up to 1995. That is the year I moved to Philly. I work for a medical transport Company in Philly.Anyway,To Make a long story short,I transported someone to St. Lukes hospital in Bethlehem today and as we drove by the steel plant he was telling me all about his brothers who worked there. Also,my ancestors built the Empire State Building and other buildings.
Well... I'm hoping that my optimistic view of us as a high-tech country leaving manufacturing behind and instead designing that manufacturing and let others do it will see us through.
Do I wish it, yes. Do I truly believe it, especially given our current president and congress, no.
Yea, that's a strange one. Here's what we were told.
Those are all countless baskets and hooks thru polleys on the ceiling. Employees used to hang their coats on the hooks and store items like keys or wallets in the baskets then run the whole thing up to the ceiling for safekeeping. The idea, I guess is out of sight, out of mind, so theft was reduced.
i know what its used for. i mean ive been trying to find it. ive been in the steel so many times doing photos. and still havent came across it. i was wondering if u can help me out on where its located?
Sorry, I can't help with where. This tour was several years ago, and to be honest, all the brick buildings looked pretty much the same after a while. And I don't remember any specific name associated with this one.
I worked there 40 years ago, in the shop that made pistons and connecting rods for the B-24 during WWII. This plant, begun in 1857 and almost entirely built before 1929, was doomed like the USSR economy. BS made a lot of money making steel for skyscrapers, suspension bridges, Navy ships. But the pension plan was grossly underfunded. By1990, BS had many times more retirees than workers. Could not compete with foreign steel and Nucor.
alnot01 1 year ago
My dad (Roger Hewitt) retire after 32 years at Sparrows Point (crane operator). My Great Grand Father (John Hewett) died on the PB&R falling under an engine in a snow storm in 1911. Grand Father and uncle retired from PB&R, Robert Hewitt Jr.&Sr.. There was Hartzel Hewitt who also retired from the mills, the only one left at 91. Yes and we do spell Hewitt with an i now but don't know why. A Big Thanks to all the steel workers that helped build America and gave us a good living.
R. Hewitt
rch184 1 year ago
Comment removed
rch184 1 year ago
Hopefully they still keep Bethlehem Steel alive with the sections that are still currently working and possible updates and make new areas for their employees. However, alot of the sites in those pictures are now being or have been torn down to be replaced with the Sands... casino, resort etc.. Bethlehem Steel is also famous for the ever useful I-beam...Awsome to see how you'v captured alot of the legacy is this slideshow. Ty
oneDANIELA 1 year ago
Hopefully they still keep Bethlehem Steel alive with the sections that are still currently working and possible updates and make new areas for their employees. However, alot of the sites in those pictures are now being or have been torn down to be replaced with the Sands... casino, resort etc.. Bethlehem Steel is also famous for the ever useful I-beam...Awsome to see how you'v captured alot of the legacy is this slideshow. Ty
oneDANIELA 1 year ago
Thanks. I enjoyed this very much. Iam a New Yorker transplanted to Philadelphia in 1995. I din't realize that Bethlehem Steel was in business up to 1995. That is the year I moved to Philly. I work for a medical transport Company in Philly.Anyway,To Make a long story short,I transported someone to St. Lukes hospital in Bethlehem today and as we drove by the steel plant he was telling me all about his brothers who worked there. Also,my ancestors built the Empire State Building and other buildings.
bpjr2004 1 year ago
what did that yellow train do with that nose of an vacum cleaner lmfao
biokush 1 year ago
In my eyes this is the way I see it!.......
WOW! That sure does sum-up the state of our country, the US of A!
A POWER HOUSE that is no more! :-(
snowgoosebob 2 years ago
Well... I'm hoping that my optimistic view of us as a high-tech country leaving manufacturing behind and instead designing that manufacturing and let others do it will see us through.
Do I wish it, yes. Do I truly believe it, especially given our current president and congress, no.
RonsTrainVideos 2 years ago
can you explain to me where that room with the swinging things is? at 2:38
DeBUNKPhotography 3 years ago
Yea, that's a strange one. Here's what we were told.
Those are all countless baskets and hooks thru polleys on the ceiling. Employees used to hang their coats on the hooks and store items like keys or wallets in the baskets then run the whole thing up to the ceiling for safekeeping. The idea, I guess is out of sight, out of mind, so theft was reduced.
MysticVideo 3 years ago
i know what its used for. i mean ive been trying to find it. ive been in the steel so many times doing photos. and still havent came across it. i was wondering if u can help me out on where its located?
DeBUNKPhotography 3 years ago
Sorry, I can't help with where. This tour was several years ago, and to be honest, all the brick buildings looked pretty much the same after a while. And I don't remember any specific name associated with this one.
MysticVideo 3 years ago
damn.... its all good. have u seen my steel videos?
DeBUNKPhotography 3 years ago
Awesome Shots!!
UPTurner 3 years ago
Thanks!
MysticVideo 3 years ago
wow they got some interesting locos
Stephenson18 3 years ago
Yea, some of that strange equipment was fascinating, to say the least!
RonsTrainVideos 3 years ago
Awesome video Ron, my late father was a diesel mechanic at Crucible Steel in Midland PA. Worked on diesel engines and other vehicles.
PlasmaDude47 3 years ago
Glad you enjoyed it, Don! My dad's friend Ned was a retired locomotive engineer from the PBNE. I think of him every time I see these photos.
RonsTrainVideos 3 years ago
Oh I did, yeah it brings back memories.
PlasmaDude47 3 years ago