An aerial view of Pensacola Bay during World War II. December 7, 1941, brought a new life to the port. Coal was still exported from Pensacola and many older ships pressed into service at the begining of the war were coal fired steamships unlike the newer steamships which burned oil. Pensacola still had coal loading facilities and there was a huge demand for coal cargoes, especialy as Allied war efforts turned into higher gear. (Photo and information courtesy of John Appleyard taken from "Four Centuries .... a saga of Pensacola Port in action".)