Facilities at the US naval shipyard at New Orlans according to a memorandum dated 30 July 1937

President Roosevelt asked on 17 July the Navy Department what extra building ways and shop facilities were needed at the navy yards to built each a merchant ship (hospital ship, passenger ship or transport) of 10.000-15.000-20.00 tons. In a memorandum dated 30 July 1937 he got his wanted details. While all naval facilities were in use or obligated by June 1939 there were 6 new building ways needed if 6 merchant ships were to be built. The given costs were if a 20.000 tons ship was to be built, for the 10.000 and 15.000 tons was the building way 400.000 US dollars cheaper except for the yard at New Orleans.

Costs for the naval shipyard at New Orleans for 1 complete building way (side launching) 700.000 US dollars, plant improvements 12.575.000 US dollars and machine tools 3.000.000 US dollars, totally 16.275.000 US dollars. The yard was at that moment not equipped for shipbuilding, lacking building ways and practically no shops suitable for shipbuilding. Even to construct a 10.000 tons merchant ship was a complete new yard needed. Due to the narrow river with a strong current and congestion was side launching to prefer instead the more common so-called end launching.  

Source

Franklin Roosevelt D. Roosevelt Presidential Library&Museum. Map Navy Department October 1936-1937 FDR’s President’s Secretary’s File (psfc000057).