Robert Hinds

Robert Hinds was a Shipwright 1941-1942, Boat Builder 1942-1943, Army Transportation Service - Tugboat Operator & Fireboat Captain 1943-1945.

NPS Photo/Alison Taggart-Barone.

Shipwright 1941-1942, Boat Builder 1942-1943, Army Transportation Service - Tugboat Operator & Fireboat Captain 1943-1945.

During WWII there were many men who went off to the frontlines but there were also men who were needed at home for the war effort. One of them was Robert Hinds. Bob was born in Berkeley, CA., on June 29, 1920. Bob found his passion in life at an early age, building his first boat at the age of 14, followed by a sailboat at 15 and a cabin cruiser at the age of 19 on which he would sail over to the World’s Fair being held on Treasure Island in 1939.

At the age of 19 he hired on with Hunt Marine Service. Throughout his employment with Hunt’s he would eventually work his way up in their plant from apprentice to supervisor of joiners. In 1941-42 work was performed at Moore’s shipyard in Oakland building launching ways – the holding areas where the Navy ships were built before being launched.

He then worked at Hunt’s shipyard in Richmond in 1942-43 as a boat builder where he was promoted to a supervisor at the ripe old age of 21, overseeing the building and maintenance of 30-50 foot patrol boats, rescue crafts, command boats, etc., for the A.T.S. The shipyard was located across from Kaiser Shipyard #1 (look for the Liberty ship in the background in the picture to the right).

He officially joined the A.T.S. (Army Transport Service) in 1943, first as a Tugboat Operator and then finished off his military service as a Fireboat Captain till the end of the war.

A shortage of supplies during WW2 affected civilian life, including gas rationing, tires, etc. Bob had a 7-passenger Packard that he would use to carpool with fellow workers and the unique thing about it was that he was able to run it with a small amount of gas and use Stove Oil as it’s main source of fuel. Although Bob had his allotment of civilian rationing cards (deemed “nonessential”-allowing no more than 3-4 gallons a week) and special work (deemed “essential to the war effort” - could purchase up to 8 gallons a week), he was able to bypass the use of his gas rationing using the oil in this way.

After the war he continued with his love of woodworking by buying a lot and building his own boat shop & store in Berkeley located at 5th & University. Although his business no longer exists, his building still stands.

He met the love of his life in 1945 who was a Navy Yeoman Second class in Oakland during the war. They were married for 65 ½ years until her passing in 2011. Today you can find Bob greeting visitors at the National Park’s Rosie the Riveter WW2 Home Front Visitor Center.