CHAPTER 1
HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION OF THE SEABEES
AND LAWS OF WAR
the chief of this bureau was a civil engineer. It was not
The Seabees are the Navy's construction forces; and
few select teams, if any, enjoy a finer reputation among
until 25 years later, however, that the Civil Engineer
America's fighting men. During their short history, the
Corps was officially named and authorized. At that time,
Seabees have won fame, honor, and distinction as an
the officers in the corps were the forerunners of the CEC
organization that "Can Do," even when faced with
officers who lead the variety of Seabee units today.
practically insurmountable obstacles. A brief discussion
As naval technology advanced in the modern era,
on the history of the Seabees is given below.
the navies of the world ranged far over the great oceans.
Ships grew more and more dependent upon an
ever-increasing chain of sophisticated shore bases for
THE CIVIL ENGINEER CORPS
their support, both at home and abroad. The construction
No discussion on the history of the Seabees is
of these bases necessitated a new and large organization
complete without first explaining the origin and purpose
of seafaring fighter-builders.
of the Civil Engineer Corps (CEC). The CEC is
Before 1941, the Civil Engineer Corps used private
composed of dedicated staff corps officers who are
contractors to accomplish all overseas construction. The
specialists in the field of civil engineering. A CIVIL
contractors, in turn, hired steelworkers, electricians,
ENGINEER is a professional engineer who performs a
carpenters, draftsmen, and mechanics from private
variety of engineering work in planning, designing, and
industry. However, the Navy realized that, in the event
overseeing construction and maintenance of structures
of war, civilian contractors and construction workers
and facilities, such as roads, airports, bridges, harbors,
could not be used very well outside our own country. If
pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.
they were attacked and attempted to defend themselves,
Civil engineers have been an integral part of the
these civilians could be regarded as guerrillas. Also,
Navy since its very beginning. Our first "fleet" consisted
since most of them had never received any type of
of less than 10 ships. However, our forefathers realized
combat training, there was reason to believe that they
that to survive as a nation, the United States must have
could not adequately defend themselves, even if their
a Navy powerful enough to counter the naval threat from
lives depended on it. These fears soon became realities.
pirates and other great powers, such as England, France,
As World War II drew near, there was an urgent need
and Spain. To meet this threat, Congress authorized the
for more overseas bases. Airfields and landing strips had
hiring, purchasing, and building of several additional
to be rushed into existence on far away islands. Clearly,
vessels. Suitable land for use as navy yards had to be
we needed a combat MILITARY ORGANIZATION
located, surveyed, and purchased. Logically, civil
trained to construct these advance bases. Even before
engineers were delegated to perform these tasks.
the outbreak of hostilities, the Bureau of Yards and
By the time Thomas Jefferson became President, the
Docks had conceived the idea of naval construction
Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Stoddert, had established six
battalions. The first construction units were organized
Navy Yards. All were managed by civil engineers,
early in January 1942. Highly skilled construction
although they were not yet known as Civil Engineer
workers were recruited, and whole construction
Corps officers. In the following years, the number of
companies volunteered men and equipment.
ships increased sharply as well as the need for more dry
docks and repair facilities. The United States was
THE FIRST SEABEES
emerging as a great sea power and governmental
The name Seabees is derived from these first
functions were becoming more complex. As a result, on
31 August 1842, Congress established the "Bureau"
construction units, or construction battalions (CBS) as
system. The Bureau of Yards and Docks
they were called. Officially, permission to use the name
(BUDOCKS)known now as the Naval Facilities
"Seabee" was granted on 5 March 1942. Each year
Engineering Command (NAVFAC)was created, and
March 5th is observed as the anniversary of the Seabees.
1-1