Boulder Victory-class cargo ship

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USS Boulder Victory (AK-227).jpg
USS Boulder Victory (AK-227) at Ulithi, 9 June 1945, lead ship of class.
Class overview
NameBoulder Victory class
Builders
Preceded by Liberty ships
Succeeded by Greenville Victory class
Built1944–1945
In commissionOctober 1944 – October 1945
Completed20
Retired19
Preserved1
General characteristics [1]
Type Cargo ship
Tonnage7,607  GRT
Displacement
  • 4,480 long tons (4,550 t) (standard)
  • 15,580 long tons (15,830 t) (full load)
Length455 ft (139 m)
Beam62 ft (19 m)
Draft29 ft 2 in (8.89 m)
Installed power
Propulsion
  • 1 × Westinghouse turbine
  • double Westinghouse Main Reduction Gears
  • 1 × shaft
Speed15.5  kn (17.8 mph; 28.7 km/h)
Capacity
  • 7,800 t (7,700 long tons) DWT
  • 453,210 cu ft (12,833 m3) (non-refrigerated)
Complement99 officers and enlisted
Armament

The Boulder Victory-class cargo ship was a cargo ship design shipping use during World War II by the United States Navy. The Boulder Victory-class design is the same as the Victory ships built for the World War II United States Merchant Navy. A total of 20 Boulder Victory-class cargo ships were built in 1944 and 1945. Some of the ships were launched as Victory ships and then acquired by the United States Navy for the war effort. Some of the vessels were acquired by the United States Army and used in the U.S. Army Transportation Service. A few of the Boulder Victory-class cargo ships also served in the Korean War. Only one ship survived being scrapped, SS Red Oak Victory, now a museum ship at Richmond, California. Some the Boulder Victory-class cargo ships also served in the Military Sea Transportation Service of the United States Navy after World War II. Arriving late in the war, most of the Boulder Victory-class cargo ships operarted in the Pacific theatre, delivering needed supplies to the US Navy, US Army and United States Marine Corps. The ships were built under the Emergency Shipbuilding program for the War Shipping Administration. The ships were given the prefix of "AK" for auxiliary ship cargo. [2] The lead ship in the class the, Boulder Victory was commissioned on 12 October 1944. Boulder Victory operated first as an ammunition ship, then a general supply ship. After the war Boulder Victory served as a seagoing cowboys ship helping with War Relief to war torn Europe. [3]

Contents

Ships in class

A total of 20 Boulder Victory-class cargo ships were built and commissioned:

Design

Victory ships replace the numerous built Liberty ships. Victory ship/Boulder Victory Class cargo are fast and better built than the Liberty ship, with a top speed of 15–17 knots (28–31 km/h; 17–20 mph). Liberty ships had a top speed of only 11–11.5 knots (20.4–21.3 km/h; 12.7–13.2 mph). Victory ships had more powerful steam turbine engines compared to the Liberty ship's triple-expansion steam engine. Victory ships are also slightly larger than the Liberty ships. Both Liberty ships and Boulder Victory ships have large hatches on the holds, and kingpost with large capacity booms cranes. This allowed the ship to unload and load without a dock crane. [23] [2]

Builders

Crew

Boulder Victory Class cargo ships were crewed by 99 officers and enlisted. This included: Captain, Executive Officer (XO),radioman, Signalman, Navigation officer, Engineering officer, Deckhands, Chefs, and Stewards, Boatswain's Mate (BM), and Quartermasters . Gunners and Fire controlman for the one stern 5 in (127 mm)/38-caliber dual-purpose gun; the one bow 3 in (76 mm)/50-caliber dual-purpose gun and the eight 20 mm (0.8 in) Oerlikon cannons anti-aircraft (AA) guns. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

Victory ship Class of US cargo ship, 1940s

The Victory ship was a class of cargo ship produced in large numbers by American shipyards during World War II to replace losses caused by German submarines. They were a more modern design compared to the earlier Liberty ship, were slightly larger and had more powerful steam turbine engines, giving higher speed to allow participation in high-speed convoys and make them more difficult targets for German U-boats. A total of 531 Victory ships were built in between 1944 and 1946.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Technical research ship</span> Type of intelligence-gathering ship

Technical research ships were used by the United States Navy during the 1960s to gather intelligence by monitoring, recording and analyzing wireless electronic communications of nations in various parts of the world. At the time these ships were active, the mission of the ships was covert and discussion of the true mission was prohibited. The mission of the ships was publicly given as conducting research into atmospheric and communications phenomena. Their designation was AGTR – Auxiliary, General, Technical Research – but it was more or less an open secret that this was a euphemism and they were commonly referred to as "spy ships".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type C1 ship</span> Class of American cargo ships

Type C1 was a designation for cargo ships built for the United States Maritime Commission before and during World War II. Total production was 493 ships built from 1940 to 1945. The first C1 types were the smallest of the three original Maritime Commission designs, meant for shorter routes where high speed and capacity were less important. Only a handful were delivered prior to Pearl Harbor. But many C1-A and C1-B ships were already in the works and were delivered during 1942. Many were converted to military purposes including troop transports during the war.

Type C4-class ship Cargo ships built by the United States Maritime Commission

The Type C4-class ship were the largest cargo ships built by the United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) during World War II. The design was originally developed for the American-Hawaiian Lines in 1941, but in late 1941 the plans were taken over by the MARCOM.

USNS <i>Dalton Victory</i> American victory-class cargo ship

SS Dalton Victory was built as Victory ship used as a cargo ship for World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the California Shipbuilding Company on 6 June 1944 and completed on 19 July 1944 as a Greenville Victory-class cargo ship. The ship’s United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2- S- AP3, hull number 21. She was acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1950 and renamed the USNS Dalton Victory (T-AK-256).

USNS Lt. James E. Robinson (T-AKV-3/T-AG-170/T-AK-274) was a U.S. Navy cargo ship, which was launched as a World War II commercial Victory ship SS Czechoslovakia Victory under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She had earlier been the U.S. Army's USAT LT. James E. Robinson before being acquired by the U.S. Navy.

USNS Sgt. George Peterson (T-AK-248) was a US Maritime Administration (MARCOM) C1-M-AV1 type coastal cargo ship, originally planned as an Alamosa-class cargo ship. The contract for building was canceled by the Navy in August 1945. The ship, however, was completed as SS Coastal Guide. She was later acquired by the US Army, in 1948, and renamed USAT Sgt. George Peterson. She was reacquired by the Navy, in 1950, and placed in service by the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) as USNS Sgt. George Peterson (T-AK-248). She remained with the Navy until struck in 1966. She was sold in 1971.

USNS <i>Private Francis X. McGraw</i> Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USNS Private Francis X. McGraw (T-AK-241) was a Boulder Victory-class cargo ship built at the end of World War II and served the war and its demilitarization as a commercial cargo vessel. From 1946 to 1950 she served the U.S. Army as a transport named USAT Private Francis X. McGraw. In 1950 she was acquired by the United States Navy and assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service. In 1974 she ended her career and was scrapped.

USNS <i>Sgt. Andrew Miller</i> Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USNS Sgt. Andrew Miller (T-AK-242) was built as Victory ship SS Radcliffe Victory, a Boulder Victory-class cargo ship, built at the end of World War II. She served during the war and its demilitarization as a commercial cargo vessel operated by American West African Lines under charter with the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration. From 1946 to 1950, she served the US Army as a transport named USAT Sgt. Andrew Miller. In 1950, she was acquired by the US Navy and assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS). In 1981 she ended her career and was placed into reserve.

USNS <i>Sgt. Archer T. Gammon</i> Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USNS Sgt. Archer T. Gammon (T-AK-243) was a Boulder Victory-class cargo ship built at the end of World War II and served the war and its demilitarization as a commercial cargo vessel. From 1946 to 1950 she served the U.S. Army as a transport named USAT Sgt. Archer T. Gammon. In 1950 she was acquired by the United States Navy and assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service. In 1973 she ended her career and was struck and scrapped.

USNS Sgt. Morris E. Crain (T-AK-244) was a Boulder Victory-class cargo ship built at the end of World War II and served in the war prior to its demilitarization as a commercial cargo vessel. From post-war to 1950 she served the U.S. Army as a transport named USAT Morris E. Crain. In 1950 she was acquired by the U.S. Navy and assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service. In 1975 she ended her career and was placed into reserve.

USNS <i>Sgt. Truman Kimbro</i> Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USNS Sgt. Truman Kimbro (T-AK-254) was a Boulder Victory-class cargo ship built for the U.S. Maritime Commission during the final months of World War II as the SS Hastings Victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type R ship</span> US Navy ship classification

The Type R ship is a United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) designation for World War II refrigerated cargo ship, also called a reefer ship. The R type ship was used in World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Cold War. Type R ships were used to transport perishable commodities which require temperature-controlled transportation, such as fruit, meat, fish, vegetables, dairy products and other foods. The US Maritime Commission ordered 41 new refrigerated ships for the US Navy. Because of the difficulty of building refrigerated ships only two were delivered in 1944, and just 26 were delivered in 1945 and the remainder in 1946–48. The 41 R type ships were built in four groups. Two of design types were modified type C1 ships and two were modified type C2 ships. The United Fruit Company operated many of the R type ships in World War II. The type R2-S-BV1 became the US Navy Alstede-class stores ship and the type R1-M-AV3 became the US Navy Adria-class stores ship.

USNS <i>Norwalk</i> United States Navy auxiliary ship

USNS Norwalk (T-AK-279) was the first in her class, a Fleet Ballistic Missile Cargo Ship, which was launched as a World War II commercial Victory cargo ship SS Norwalk Victory under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. The Norwalk Victory was acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1963.

USNS <i>Furman</i> United States Navy auxiliary ship

USNS Furman (T-AK-280) was a Norwalk class Fleet Ballistic Missile Cargo Ship, which was launched as a World War II commercial Victory cargo ship, the SS Furman Victory under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. The Furman Victory was acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1963.

USNS <i>Victoria</i> United States Navy auxiliary ship

USNS Victoria (T-AK-281) was a Norwalk-class fleet ballistic missile cargo ship, which was launched as a World War II commercial Victory cargo ship SS Ethiopia Victory under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. The Ethiopia Victory was acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1963.

USNS <i>Marshfield</i> United States Navy auxiliary ship

USNS Marshfield (T-AK-282) was a Fleet Ballistic Missile Cargo Ship, which was launched as a World War II commercial Victory cargo ship SS Marshfield Victory under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. The Marshfield Victory was acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1968.

SS <i>Maj. Stephen W. Pless</i> Sgt. Matej Kocak-class dry cargo ship

USNS Maj. Stephen W. Pless (T-AK-3007),, is the third ship of the Sgt. Matej Kocak-class cargo ship built in 1983. The ship is named after Major Stephen W. Pless, an American Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.

USNS <i>Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell</i> Lt. James E. Robinson-class cargo ship

USNS Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell (T-AK-275),, was a Victory ship and the second ship of the Lt. James E. Robinson-class cargo ship built in 1944. The ship is named after Private Joseph F. Merrell, an American soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II.

<i>Greenville Victory</i>-class cargo ship Class of US Navy cargo ship

The Greenville Victory-class cargo ship was a cargo ship design used for shipping during the Korean War by the United States Navy. Greenville Victory-class cargo ships were built for use during World War II. The Greenville Victory-class ships are the same as the Victory ships built of the World War II United States Merchant Navy. A total of nine Greenville Victory-class ships were built in 1944 and 1945. The ships were built under the Emergency Shipbuilding program for the War Shipping Administration for World War II. Some of the Greenville Victory class were launched as merchant ship Victory ships and then acquired by the United States Navy for the Korean War effort. The lead ship of the class, Greenville Victory was commissioned on 30 March 1948. The Greenville Victory build was complete on 7 July 1944, she took part in Battle of Okinawa from 27 May to 19 June 1945 as a merchant ship. Some of the Greenville Victory class also saw service in the Vietnam War, 21 years after construction. Some of the vessels were acquired by the United States Army and used in the U.S. Army Transportation Service.

References

  1. ↑ Navsource 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 Culver, John A., CAPT USNR "A time for Victories" United States Naval Institute Proceedings February 1977 pp. 50–56
  3. 1 2 "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  4. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  5. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  6. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  7. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  8. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  9. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  10. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  11. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  12. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  13. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  14. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  15. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  16. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  17. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  18. ↑ "Transport (AP)". www.navsource.org.
  19. ↑ "Transport (AP)". www.navsource.org.
  20. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  21. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  22. ↑ "Cargo Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  23. ↑ "Cargo hold tour, SS Lane". Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
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