Here is a fascinating short video of British riveted steel shipbuilding in the 1940s. The shipyard in the film is the Burntisland Shipbuilding Company in Fife. The ship being built is thought to be either the MV Dalhousie or the SS Ger-y-Bryn. Both ships were sunk by German vessels by April 1943. Thanks to W. H. Bunting for pointing out the video.
Shipbuilding – 1940’s British Council Film Collection – CharlieDeanArchives
With in 3 years of 1940. The act of riveting has been phased out for arc welding. With arc welding, the ship that took extra manpower is reduced by a factor of 4. Gone is the need for hammering riveters, the punch operators that made the holes.
History of arc welding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTzYKTMcmJo