USS F. J. Luckenbach

Last updated

USS F. J. Luckenbach (ID-2160) in port.jpg
USS F. J. Luckenbach at Boston, Massachusetts, on 18 June 1919.
History
US flag 48 stars.svgUnited States
NameUSS F. J. Luckenbach
NamesakePrevious name retained
Builder Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts
Launched15 September 1917
Completed28 November 1917
Acquired9 January 1918
Commissioned9 January 1918
Decommissioned18 August 1919
Fate
NotesServed as commercial cargo ship SS F. J. Luckenbach 1919–1951
General characteristics
Type Cargo ship and troop transport
Tonnage8,074 Gross register tons
Displacement15,650 tons (normal)
Length468 ft 4 in (142.75 m)
Beam56 ft (17 m)
Draft30 ft 6 in (9.30 m)
Propulsion Steam engine
Speed13 knots
Complement92
Armament
  • 1 × 6-inch (152-millimeter) gun
  • 1 × 3-inch (76.2-millimeter) gun
USS F. J. Luckenbach, probably in 1919. USS F. J. Luckenbach (ID-2160) underway.jpg
USS F. J. Luckenbach, probably in 1919.

USS F. J. Luckenbach (ID-2160) was a cargo ship and troop transport that served in the United States Navy from 1918 to 1919. SS F. J. Luckenbach was built as a commercial cargo ship at Quincy, Massachusetts, by Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation for Luckenbach Steamship Company of New York City. Launched on 15 September 1917, she was delivered to Luckenbach on 28 November 1917. She then came under the control of the United States Shipping Board. The Shipping Board transferred her to the U.S. Navy for World War I service on 9 January 1918. Assigned Identification Number (Id. No.) 2160, she was commissioned the same day as USS F. J. Luckenbach .

Contents

World War I

Outfitted as an animal transport, F. J. Luckenbach carried horses, mules, and general United States Army cargo on five voyages to France from New York City between 12 February 1918 and 21 February 1919. She was then converted for postwar troop transport duty, and made two voyages to return troops of the American Expeditionary Force from Europe to the United States between April 1919 and July 1919.

Post World War I

Decommissioned on 18 August 1919, F. J. Luckenbach was transferred to the Shipping Board the same day for return to her owner. Once again SS F. J. Luckenbach, she resumed commercial service as a cargo ship.

War Relief and Sea Going Cowboys

In 1946 after World War II the F. J. Luckenbach was used as livestock ship, also called a cowboy ship. From 1945 to 1947 the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and the Brethren Service Committee of the Church of the Brethren sent livestock to war-torn countries. These "seagoing cowboys" made about 360 trips on 73 different ships. The Heifers for Relief project was started by the Church of the Brethren in 1942; in 1953 this became Heifer International. [1] The SS F. J. Luckenbach was one of these ships, known as cowboy ships, as she moved livestock across the Atlantic Ocean. The F. J. Luckenbach made trips horses, several thousand baby chicks and hay bales to Poland on each trip. F. J. Luckenbach moved horses, heifers, and mules as well as a some chicks, rabbits, and goats. [2] [3] [4]

She was scrapped in 1951.

Sister ships

F. J. Luckenbach was the fourth of five sister ships built by the Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts. Each were converted to transports for WW1 from 1918 to 1919. The five ships were: [6]

Related Research Articles

USNS <i>Bowditch</i> (T-AGS-21)

USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-21) was the lead ship of her class of oceanographic survey ships for the United States Navy. Launched as the SS South Bend Victory in 1945, Maritime Commission hull number MCV 694, a type VC2-S-AP3 Victory ship, she was named for Nathaniel Bowditch, the second U.S. Navy vessel named in his honor. The ship was acquired by the Navy in August 1957 and converted to an AGS at Charleston Naval Shipyard. Named Bowditch on 8 August 1957 and placed in service 8 October 1958 for operation by the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS).

USS <i>Skywatcher</i> Guardian-class radar picket ship

USS Skywatcher (YAGR/AGR-3) was a Guardian-class radar picket ship, converted from a Liberty Ship, acquired by the US Navy in 1954. She was converted into a radar picket ship and assigned to radar picket duty in the North Atlantic Ocean as part of the Distant Early Warning Line.

USS <i>Interpreter</i> Guardian-class radar picket ship

USS Interpreter (AGR-14) was a Guardian-class radar picket ship, converted from a Liberty Ship, acquired by the US Navy in 1957. She was reconfigured as a radar picket ship and assigned to radar picket duty in the North Pacific Ocean as part of the Distant Early Warning Line.

USS <i>Boulder Victory</i> Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USS Boulder Victory (AK-227) was a Boulder Victory-class cargo ship acquired by the US Navy during World War II. She was the lead ship of 20 ships in her class. She carried ammunition into the Pacific Ocean war zone and, on 20 December 1944 at Manus, New Guinea, she struck a naval mine and suffered a very large hole in her side.

USS Luckenbach may refer to various United States Navy ships:

SS <i>Edward Luckenbach</i>

SS Edward Luckenbach was the first of five new cargo ships to be built for the Luckenbach Steamship Company by Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation. The ship was launched in September 1916, delivered in November and briefly operated as such before being requisitioned for World War I service. The ship was one of the cargo vessels in the first large convoy transporting U.S. Army forces to France. After that convoy the ship served as a U.S. Army Chartered Transport (USACT) until converted by the Army to a troop ship and turned over to the Navy a few months before the war's end. The Navy commissioned the ship as USS Edward Luckenbach assigning the miscellaneous identification number ID-1662 in August 1918. The transport made one wartime voyage with continued voyages returning the Army to the U.S. until August 1919.

USS <i>Julia Luckenbach</i> Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USS Julia Luckenbach (ID-2407) was a cargo ship and troop transport that served in the United States Navy from 1918 to 1919.

USS <i>Katrina Luckenbach</i> Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USS Katrina Luckenbach (ID-3020) was a cargo ship and troop transport that served in the United States Navy from 1918 to 1919.

USS <i>Mexican</i> Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USS Mexican (ID-1655) was a United States Navy cargo ship and animal transport in commission from 1917 to 1919. She operated as the commercial steamship SS Mexican from 1907 to 1917 and from 1919 to 1948.

USNS <i>Clemson</i>

The SS Lindenwood Victory was a Victory-class cargo ship built during World War II. The Lindenwood Victory was a type VC2-S-AP2 victory ship built by Permanente Metals Corporation, Yard 2, of Richmond, California. The Maritime Administration cargo ship was the 766th ship built. Her keel was laid on May 12, 1945. SS Lindenwood Victory was an armed cargo ship She was built in just 70 days, under the Emergency Shipbuilding program for World War II. SS Lindenwood Victory was an armed cargo ship, named for Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, one of 150 educational institutions that had Victory ships named after them. The 10,600-ton ship was constructed for the Maritime Commission.

SS <i>Mercer Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

SS Mercer Victory was a Boulder Victory-class cargo ship built for World War II. Mercer Victory, a Victory ship, was launched 14 March 1945 by Permanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California and operated by the States Marine Line. At the ceremonial ship launching, Mercer University President Spright Dowell said the SS Mercer Victory should strive: “to do her full-part for the national defense” and “to study a plan for after war conditions and needs.”

USS <i>Alcor</i> (AK-259) Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USS Alcor, AK-259, was a Greenville Victory-class cargo ship in service with the United States Navy from 1952 to 1968. She was originally built in 1944 as SS Rockland Victory, a World War II era Victory ship. She was sold for scrap in 1970.

SS <i>Carroll Victory</i> United States Merchant Marine ship

The SS Carroll Victory was the twenty-seventh Victory ship built during the World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It was launched by the California Shipbuilding Company on June 13, 1944, and completed on August 31, 1944. The ship was named after Carroll, Iowa. The ship’s United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 with a hull number 27 (V-27). It was operated by the Lykes Brothers Steamship Company and it served in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. The Carroll was one of the new 10,500-ton class ship known as Victory ships that were designed to replace the earlier Liberty Ships. Unlike Liberty ships, Victory ships were designed to last longer and serve the US Navy after the war. The Victory ships differed from Liberty ships in that they were faster, longer and wider, taller, had a thinner stack set farther toward the superstructure, and had a long raised forecastle.

SS <i>Cedar Rapids Victory</i> United States Merchant Marine ship

SS Cedar Rapids Victory was the 77th Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the California Shipbuilding Company on January 14, 1945, and completed on February 17, 1945. The ship’s United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 and her hull number was 77. Her operator was the American West African Line.

SS <i>Gainesville Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

The SS Gainesville Victory was the 22nd Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the California Shipbuilding Company on June 9, 1944, and completed on July 22, 1944. The ship’s United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3, hull number 22 (V-22). She was operated by the Seas Shipping Company. SS Gainesville Victory served in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. SS Gainesville Victory was number one of the new 10,500-ton class of ships, known as Victory ships. Victory ships were designed to replace the earlier Liberty Ships. Liberty ships were designed to be used just for WW2, while Victory ships were designed to last longer and serve the US Navy after the war. The Victory ships differed from the Liberty ships in that they were faster, longer, wider, taller, had a thinner stack set farther toward the superstructure, and had a long raised forecastle.

SS <i>Frontenac Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

SS Frontenac Victory was a Victory ship built for the United States War Shipping Administration late in World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It saw service in the European Theater of Operations in the Atlantic Ocean during 1945, and in the immediate post-war period. SS Frontenac Victory was part of the series of Victory ships named after cities; this particular ship was named after the city of Frontenac, Missouri. It was a type VC2-S-AP2/WSAT cargo ship with the U.S. Maritime Commission (MARCOM), "Victory" (MCV) hull number 625, shipyard number 1597, and built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in Baltimore, Maryland.

SS <i>Bucknell Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

The SS Bucknell Victory was a Victory-class cargo ship built during World War II. The Bucknell Victory was a type VC2-S-AP2 victory ship built by Permanente Metals Corporation, Yard 2, of Richmond, California. The Maritime Administration cargo ship was the 728th ship built. Her keel was laid on December 27, 1944. SS Bucknell Victory was an armed cargo ship, named for Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, one of 150 educational institutions that had Victory ships named after them. She was built in just 70 days, under the Emergency Shipbuilding program for World War II. The 10,600-ton ship was constructed for the Maritime Commission.

SS <i>Attleboro Victory</i> World War II Victory ship of the United States

SS Attleboro Victory was a Victory ship built for the War Shipping Administration late in World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It saw service in the European Theater of Operations in the Atlantic Ocean during 1945, and in the immediate post-war period. Attleboro Victory was part of the series of Victory ships named after famous cities. This particular ship was named after the city of Attleboro, Massachusetts. It was a type VC2-S-AP2/WSAT cargo ship with the United States Maritime Commission (MCV) -"Victory"; hull number 642, shipyard number 1597 and built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in Baltimore, Maryland. Phyllis O'Neil of Attleboro, Massachusetts christened Attleboro Victory with a champagne bottle.

SS <i>Saginaw Victory</i> Victory ship built during World War II

The SS Saginaw Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It was laid down and launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, and completed on February 9, 1945. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 and hull number 152. The Maritime Commission turned it over for merchant navy operation to a civilian contractor, the Pacific-Atlantic Steamship Company under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. She was named after Saginaw, Michigan. Victory ships were designed to supersede the earlier Liberty ships. Unlike Liberty ships, Victory ships were designed to serve the US Navy after the war and to last longer. Compared to Liberty ships, Victory ships were faster, longer, wider, taller, and had a thinner stack which was set further forward on the superstructure. They also had a long, raised forecastle.

SS <i>Pierre Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

The SS Pierre Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It was laid down and launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, and completed on February 5, 1945. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 and hull number 150. The Maritime Commission turned it over for merchant navy operation to a civilian contractor, the United States Lines under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. She was named after Pierre, South Dakota, the capital of the US state of South Dakota. The sponsor and christening of the SS Pierre Victory on Dec. 6, 1944 was Mrs. Emma S. Jassmann of Pierre, she had five sons who served during World War II,. The city of Pierre and the Pierre Chamber of Commerce sent Mrs. Jassmann to Oregon. The Mayor of City of Pierre, John B. Griffin, was also at the christening with other Pierre residents. She was built in only 98 days. Victory ships were designed to supersede the earlier Liberty ships. Unlike Liberty ships, Victory ships were designed to serve the US Navy after the war and to last longer. Compared to Liberty ships, Victory ships were faster, longer, wider, taller, and had a thinner stack which was set further forward on the superstructure. They also had a long, raised forecastle. SS Pierre Victory survived three separate kamikaze attacks by the Japanese in 1945.

References

  1. Heifer International
  2. Sea going cowboys
  3. seagoingcowboys, In Memorium, Posted on April 1, 2017
  4. Seacowboys report
  5. theshipslist.com, :F. J. Luckenbach
  6. Colton, Tim (2 April 2017). "Bethlehem Quincy". ShipbuildingHistory. Retrieved 27 October 2021.