Ira S. Bushey

IRA S. BUSHEY

THE revival of the shipbuilding industry brought about by the exigencies of the war has developed into a general expansion of our merchant marine, and in no place has this development been experienced in a larger measure than in the harbor of New York, where the shipbuilding, repairing and drydocking industry is experiencing a development greater than in any former period of history. One of the old and prominent enterprises in this industry is that of Ira S. Bushey & Sons, Inc., of Brooklyn.

Ira Sylvester Bushey, the president of that com-pany, was born in Oswego, New York, and he is of a family long identified with shipowning and shipbuilding activities, his grandfather having owned sailing ships engaged in regular trade between the United States and France. His father was a shipbuilder who established himself in Brooklyn many years ago, and was one of the builders of wooden ships when Brooklyn and New York City were noted for the production of the finest and fastest of the famous clippers, which brought distinction to the American shipbuilding industry.

Mr. Bushey, after he had completed his educa-tion in the schools of Oswego, New York, went to Brooklyn and became identified with the shipbuilding industry and finally established his own yard, which he conducted for several years, and afterward admitted his sons, incorporating the business as Ira S. Bushey & Sons, Inc. From the earliest period of the history of the Bushey yard it has been noted for the progressiveness of its management, and for the excellence of its equip-ment. Mr. Bushey built, owned and operated the first electrically driven balance drydock in the United States. The yard, in the Erie Basin, is well laid out and completely equipped, and is constantly engaged in various departments of shipbuilding and repair work, and has recently been prominently identified with the building of barges for the United States Government as well as for a very large amount of drydocking and repair work which is constantly going on in the yard,

and in which Mr. Bush- ey's sons, trained in the business, have now the more active and direct management.

Mr, Bushey himself is recognized as an authority upon all that pertains to the shipbuilding industry, to which his entire business life has been given.

He is a member of the New York and New Jersey Dry Dock Association, the Elks' Club, Maritime Association, and Knights of Columbus, and is treasurer of Branch No. 204 of the Catholic Knights of America. In addition to these organizations, he is also a member of the "Thirteen Club," Republican Club, Democratic Club, Long Island Auto Club, Old Colony Club, and the Crescent Club of Brooklyn. He enjoys a high degree of personal popularity as well as business promi-nence.

In connection with war activities, Mr. Bushey has been active and prominent, and he was chair-man of Local Board No. 36 during the selective service law. In that position he gave able service in the selection of soldiers for patriotic service and in efficient executive supervision.