The General Ship Repair Corporation (GSR) is a family owned and operated business servicing vessels in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor since 1924.
Last year, GSR celebrated its 100th anniversary. 100 years ago, Buck Lynch had a dream. A machinist by trade, he started repairing Vessels in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor in his small machine shop across the street. Later, he partnered with Obrecht to buy the parcel of land upon which GSR sits today. Hard times prevailed during the Great Depression and the company went bankrupt. Buck’s foresight, ambition and drive spurred him on to buy the company and start again. He succeeded and by the late 40’s was converting Liberty Ships from Troop carriers to Merchant Ships. Buck passed in 1958,when Jack Lynch took the helm. Jack expanded the shipyard’s capabilities and leased a 1000 ton floating dry dock from the United States Navy. In Jack’s hayday, GSR was docking 9 lash barges a day with over 200 barges waiting for repairs at the pier and adjacent piers.
In the late 1980’s, GSR then built its very own dry dock; docking tugs, barges, passenger vessels, Navy, Army and USCG vessels. Around that time, the next generation of Lynches took over GSR. Cary, Mike, and Derick, all brothers, started expanding the yard, building two new sections of dry dock for operations. These floating docks are capable of hauling various tug boats, barges, dinner cruise boats, Coast Guard Cutters, etc. . . GSR also began traveling down river to make emergency repairs to ocean-going ships calling the Port of Baltmore, Wilmighton, or Philadelphia as well as servicing the ready reserve fleet of Vessels located in the Baltimore area.
GSR is now on its 4th generation of Lynches, brothers Chaz and Ryan. As the 4th generation, we are often asked about what it takes to keep a shipyard running for 4 generations, and our answer is always the same– grit.
As Chaz and I reflect on our early years spent exploring the grounds of GSR, we think of hard work, skill, grease, and sweat. The qualities that one must have to be a shipyard worker; a part of the shipyard family. Chaz and I are grateful for the memories and opportunities GSR has given us. We are thankful for the sacrifices and grit of the generations before us. Today, we are proud and honored to continue steering the ship in their honor.
We are grateful for our employees, who are truly family to us, and customers for their years of dedication. We are proud to continue to be a landmark of the Baltimore Maritime Community and look forward to many more years to come.