Mr. Lloyd Bergeson
Award: Harold E. Saunders Award
Year: 1994
Recipient:
Mr. Lloyd Bergeson
Reason:
For his significant contribution to naval engineering as set forth in the following:
Starting in the Bath Iron Works as a shipfitter's helper building destroyers while he attended MIT, Mr. Bergeson began an illustrious career in naval engineering. During World War II, he worked for the Cramp Shipbuilding Company. Starting as a planning engineer, he rose to head the production control division. Implementing new production and material control systems, he was responsible for the improved construction of combat ready cruisers and submarines, as well as the conversion of older ships to new systems to better assist our nation's war efforts.
After post-war work in machinery, aircraft gas turbine manufacturing, and the Atomic Energy Commission, Mr. Bergeson returned to ship building at Electric Boat where he made significant contributions to the planning and construction of the first nuclear submarine and first Polaris Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of integrated planning, management and budgetary control procedures which became the standard for network planning throughout the defense industry and the basic technique for good planning in all industry. Responsible for the overall planning, design and construction, Mr. Bergeson saw submarine production grow in complexity with the introduction of nuclear propulsion, high-speed underwater capabilities, increases in operating depths, and the Polaris Weapons System. This growth in complexity was even more significant in that shipbuilding, both private and naval, was in a period of drastic decline. Recognizing these circumstances, Mr. Bergeson revamped the company's planning and production control procedures from repeat construction of a standard design to the simultaneous engineering, design, manufacture, construction and testing of several complex nuclear prototypes at accelerated schedules.
Following a successful three years with Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation where he turned the shipyard into a competitive naval and commercial shipbuilding and overhaul facility, Mr. Bergeson continued his success with turning around shipyards with General Dynamics and the Quincy Shipyard. At Quincy, he established a remarkable record for timely deliveries of highly complex naval and commercial ships. Through his astute insight, innovative management and strong leadership, he gave Quincy undisputed leadership in the design and building of liquified natural gas tankers (LNG). He identified the LNG as a proprietary product in an untapped market; directed its development, engineering, design, and costing; proved its outstanding merit; and marketed it at the right time.
In 1978, concerned by accelerated global warming, Mr. Bergeson founded Wind Ship Development Corporation - dedicated to proving that CO2 emissions from modern ships could be substantially and profitably reduced on an engineered basis, by reintroducing wind power using various "sail-assist" devices. This thesis was proven with a 3,000 ft2 bridge-controlled rig installed on the 3,000 DWT cargo ship MINI LACE. Over two years of flawless operation, savings of 24 to 30 percent were confirmed, plus significant reduction in transit times.
Mr. Bergeson has been a valued consultant and lecturer on shipbuilding, ship repair and conversions. He is a strong proponent of double hull tankers and influenced present requirements by his writings on the subject. He has shown great foresight and leadership in providing the modern submarines and ships needed by our Navy and commercial ships needed by our merchant industry. He is a most deserving recipient of the Saunders Award.