Even the equipment installed was non-magnetic which made the boats very expensive to build since so much had to be special ordered. Since a lot of these mines could be triggered by a magnetic influence, the hulls of the PBI minesweepers were built from laminatedwood and non-ferrous materials. One mine is a buoyant contact mine and the other type of mine sits at the bottom of the sea and detonates due to noise, water pressure, or magnetic influence. There are two types of mines that these ships search to destroy. Mines are cheap and easy to set so many poorer countries can afford them, so the United States needs minesweepers wherever their ships go. Minesweepers are used by the United States Navy to map out and clear mine fields so that other ships are able to pass through the mine fields safely through the water. Navy, but minesweepers are some of the most important ships the navy needs. Most people are familiar with the game Battleship and the ships in that game as the main ships of the U.S. The biggest contract that Fred landed was the naval contract for building the Avenger mine countermeasure ships to replenish the navy with new minesweepers. Under Ellsworth’s leadership, PBI emerged as an international shipbuilder, constructing over 800 different ships for 13 countries. Fred came back to the family business after World War II and worked under his father for 20 years until he became president in 1965. However, PBI was most famous in the shipbuilding world for building state-of-the-art minesweepers after World War 2.Įllsworth Peterson, son of Fred and Irene, began his maritime career in 1941 when he served on tankers in World War II. During World War II, the company did business with the United States Navy and Army, building sub chasers and rescue boats that were used during the war. They were especially known for building a reliable wooden ship. The company was know for building vessels for their private clients. In 1918, Peterson Boat Works burned down, though it wasn’t until 1933 when Fred rebuild Peterson Boat Works.

Located in Sturgeon Bay, WI, PBI goes back to 1908 when Fred Peterson started his career in his father’s boatyard as a company known as Peterson Boat Works. Their versatility is what grabbed the attention of the United States Navy after WWII which awarded the company contracts to construct minesweepers.

(PBI) was known as one of the most versatile shipyards in the world. was considered “the builders of minesweepers of the world.” Being a shipyard that was able to build a ship out of many materials, Peterson Builders, Inc. A Ship Being Launched from PBI Docks (PBI Continuing Excellence, 1983-1993.)

Origin of minesweeper