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William Francis Gibbs | |
|---|---|
 Gibbs in 1924 | |
| Born | August 24, 1886 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | September 6, 1967 (aged 81) New York, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Naval architect |
William Francis Gibbs (August 24, 1886 – September 6, 1967) was an American naval architect of the mid-twentieth century.
Although he began his career as an attorney, after World War I, he became recognized as a skilled project manager in the restoration of a former German ocean liner for American use. In 1922, in partnership with his brother Frederic Herbert Gibbs, he began the firm that would eventually become Gibbs & Cox; they were among the major designers of World War II-era warships and cargo vessels, including the Liberty ships and Fletcher-class destroyers. Gibbs was a pioneer in the areas of efficient hull design and propulsion, along with being a staunch advocate for high standards of fire prevention and hull integrity. Although the Liberty ships were designed with a priority of production simplicity and economy, other Gibbs designs tended to be sturdy, light, fast, safe, and enduring.
During the late 1940s and early 1950s, the Gibbs brothers were among the promoters leading the United States government and military to subsidize the cost of building the ultimate ocean liner. In the end, Gibbs and Cox was awarded the contract to design and supervise the building of SS United States, which entered service in 1952. While in the class of the largest liners, it was much lighter and considerably faster than contemporary vessels. It was built with a high emphasis on safety, using a minimum of flammable materials.