Andrew Jackson Higgins by Nancy J. Farrier

During World War II, General Dwight Eisenhower was quoted saying Andrew Higgins is, “the man who won the war for us.” Adolf Hitler spoke of Higgins as “the new Noah.” Who is this man who left such an impression on the top commanders of their respective armies?

Photo by Higgins Industries, Public Domain
Wikiemedia Commons

 

Higgins was born in 1886 and his parents were residents of Columbus, Nebraska. His father was active in politics, a lawyer, judge, and editor of a paper. Andrew’s father died from a fall when Andrew was seven years old. Afterwards, his mother moved them to Omaha, but there were hard times with no husband and little money.

 

At nine years of age, Andrew became an entrepreneur. He started a lawn service in addition to running several newspaper delivery routes. He was the business manager, hiring older boys to do the actual work. 

 

Andrew attended Creighton Prep school until his junior year, when he was expelled for brawling. He then joined the 2^nd Nebraska Infantry, part of the National Guard. Through this unit, he had his first taste of amphibious training in the waters of the Platte River.

 

In 1906, he went into the lumber business in Mobile, Alabama. In 1922, he opened the Higgins Lumber and Export Co. in New Orleans. They imported hardwood from the Phillipines, Central America, and Africa. He also acquired the largest fleet of sailing ships in the US. He also opened his own shipyard to do repairs. 

 

Higgins Boat, Wikimedia Commons

In 1926, Higgins designed the Eureka boat, used by oil drillers and trappers along the coast and in the Mississippi River. The boat was made for use in shallow waters, making it easy to navigate. He added a “spoonbill” bow, allowing the boat an easy way to be beached on a riverbank.

 

When boat trade declined, Higgins kept on by designing and producing motorboats, tugs, and barges for individuals and firms, but also for the Coast Guard. 

 

In 1938, the Marine Corps was looking for an easier way to get men across a beach via amphibious landing. They expressed an interest in Andrew’s boat designs. They tested the Eureka boat, which surpassed their expectations. The only drawback was the soldiers would have to clamber over the sides to the beach. 

 

Plan for Higgins Boat
Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Meanwhile, the Japanese were using ramp-bowed landing boats. When Higgins was shown a picture of the Japanese craft, he contacted his engineers and described the ramp-bowed idea and asked them to have drawings for him to examine when he returned. Within a month, Higgins had a boat built and ready for testing. The boat passed with flying colors.

 

Thus was developed the LCVP (landing craft, vehicle, personnel), or the “Higgins Boat.” All during WWII Andrew’s plant produced what the Navy needed from landing craft to torpedo boats, to gun turrets and smoke generators.

 

One of the statistics I read for this post said that 93% of the boats used to transport soldiers to the beaches in Normandy and other landings were Higgins boats designed by Andrew Higgins. He had a great impact on the war 

 

Memorial: by A. Carty, Wikimedia Commons

Andrew Higgins died in 1952 in New Orleans. He held 30 patents, most of them for amphibious landing craft and vehicles. He held an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Creighton University in Omaha, bestowed in 1943. There is a memorial to him in Columbus, Nebraska, his birthplace.

 

He started in humble beginnings working a lawn business and delivering papers. He was quoted as saying, “If it had not been for the Missouri River at Omaha there would have been no Higgins Industries of New Orleans..." They turned out ships, planes, engines, guns and what have you for the army and navy. Looking at the Missouri shallows, its snags and driftwood led to his first shallow-draft boat. Everything else came from that.

 

Have you heard to the “Higgins Boat?” I know we’ve all seen pictures of them on the beaches disgorging troops, but I didn’t know the name of them or their designer. Andrew Higgins played an important role in WWII with his boat designs. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Nancy J Farrier is an award-winning, best-selling author who lives in Southern Arizona in the Sonoran Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats and dog, and spend time with her family. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.