<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-08-22</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000098537</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TODD SHIPYARDS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TOD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001410592</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CLIFFORD STEVEN A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PO BOX 3806</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SEATTLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98124</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Todd Shipyards Corp. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-08-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>750</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>14.05</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Fair market value on date of election.  Shares will vest ratably over the next 36 months and are subject to forfeiture to the Company prior to vesting under certain circumstances.  Granted as restricted shares under Todd's 2003 Incentive Stock Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Steven A. Clifford</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-08-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0303
4
2008-08-22
0
0000098537
TODD SHIPYARDS CORP
TOD
0001410592
CLIFFORD STEVEN A
PO BOX 3806
SEATTLE
WA
98124
1
0
0
0
Todd Shipyards Corp. Common Stock
2008-08-22
4
A
0
750
14.05
A
9500
D
Fair market value on date of election.  Shares will vest ratably over the next 36 months and are subject to forfeiture to the Company prior to vesting under certain circumstances.  Granted as restricted shares under Todd's 2003 Incentive Stock Plan.
Steven A. Clifford
2008-08-26