Founded before 1910, the yard had its headquarters at 18-20 Summit Street. By 1920, the yard was known for its construction and repair of oil-fired boilers, diesel engines, and refrigeration units. In World War II the company specialized in ship conversion and repair, and like most US shipyards at the time, it was heavily contracted for work by the United States Army, United States Navy and United States Maritime Commission. In 1941–42 the company converted the 9,300-ton passenger and cargo steamship Rio Parana into the British Royal Navy escort carrier HMS Biter.