SS Claymont Victory

Last updated
SS American Victory.jpg
VC2-S-AP2 type ship
History
US flag 48 stars.svgUnited States
NameSS Claymont Victory
NamesakeCity of Claymont, Delaware [1]
Builder Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard Corp. Baltimore, Maryland
Laid downSeptember 25, 1944
LaunchedNovember 18, 1944
Sponsored byMrs. Ruth Holt [2]
AcquiredDecember 15, 1944
Out of service1971
FateScrapped 1971
General characteristics
Tonnage7,607 Tons (Gross), 4,551 Tons (Net)
Displacement15,200 Tons (Full Load), 10,8750 Tons (Lightweight)
Length455'
Beam62'
Draft28' 0"
Propulsion2 B&W oil-fired steam boilers, 2 steam turbines, single propeller, 6,000shp
Speed16 knots
Capacity1597
Armament5" 38 Dual Purpose Gun, 3" Anti-Aircraft Gun, 8 20MM Caliber Guns
Notes

SS Claymont Victory was a type Victory ship-based VC2-S-AP2 troop transport built for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps late in World War II. Launched in November 1944, it saw service in the European Theater of Operations during 1945 and in the immediate post-war period repatriating U.S. troops.

Contents

After being briefly laid up in the U.S. Claymont Victory was purchased by Vereenigde Nederlandsche Scheepvaartmaatschapppij of the Netherlands and renamed Mariekerk. In 1966 she was sold to Kavo Compañia Naviera S.A., of Greece and renamed Kavo Longos. She was scrapped at Whampoa Dock, Hong Kong, in 1971.

History

Construction and operation

SS Claymont Victory was laid down on September 25, 1944, as a U.S. MARCOM Type C2 ship-based VC2-S-AP2 hull by Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard of Baltimore, Maryland. [1] Launched on November 18, 1944, she was then converted into a dedicated troopship, [4] and delivered on December 15, 1944. She was operated on behalf of USAT by Eastern Steamship Lines. [1] [5]

World War II

As a transport allocated to the U.S. Army USAT Claymont Victory was crewed by United States Merchant Marines, protected by a contingent of the US Naval Armed Guards, and had a complement of the US Army Transportation Corps (Water Division) aboard for troop administration. [6]

She was armed with a 5 inch (127 mm) stern gun for use against submarines and surface ships, a bow-mounted 3"/50 caliber gun and eight 20 mm cannon for use against aircraft.

Units transported

Units transported by the SS Claymont Victory include:

Post-war

After being briefly laid up in the U.S., SS Claymont Victory was purchased in 1947 by Vereenigde Nederlandsche Scheepvaartmaatschapppij (the United Netherlands Navigation Company) of The Hague and renamed Mariekerk. [3] In 1966 she was sold to Kavo Compañia Naviera S.A. of Greece, and registered in Monrovia as Kavo Longos. In 1971 she was scrapped at Whampoa Dock, Hong Kong.

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">Troopship</span> Ship used to carry soldiers

A troopship is a ship used to carry soldiers, either in peacetime or wartime. Troopships were often drafted from commercial shipping fleets, and were unable to land troops directly on shore, typically loading and unloading at a seaport or onto smaller vessels, either tenders or barges.

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

SS Maritime Victory, hull number 821, VC2-S-AP2/WSAT, renamed USAT Pvt. Frederick C. Murphy, was an American Army troop transport which saw duty just after World War II.

SS <i>M.I.T. Victory</i> Victory ship

The SS M. I. T. Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II and used as a troop transport. She was later named USAT MIT Victory and finally USAT Lt. Alexander R. Nininger. Note: In 1944 there was a different transport ship named Alexander R. Nininger, Jr..

SS <i>Groote Beer</i> Victory ship of the United States

Groote Beer, originally the Victory ship Costa Rica Victory, was laid down on 22 March 1944, at the Permanente No. 1 yard at Richmond, California, and launched on 17 June 1944.

USS <i>Denebola</i> (AF-56) Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USS Denebola (AF-56) was a Denebola-class stores ship acquired by the U.S. Navy. She was built as SS Hibbing Victory as a type VC2-S-AP2 Victory ship built by Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation of Portland, Oregon, under a Maritime Commission. The Maritime Administration cargo ship was the 113th ship built. Its keel was laid on 2 May 1944. The ship was christened on 30 June 1944. She was built at the Oregon Shipbuilding yards in just 59 days, under the Emergency Shipbuilding program for World War II. The 10,600-ton ship was constructed for the Maritime Commission. She was operated by the (Pacific-Atlantic SS Company under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. The other two ships in her class were USS Regulus and USNS Perseus. USS Denebola's task was to carry stores, refrigerated items, and equipment to ships in the fleet, and to remote stations and staging areas.

USNS <i>Aiken Victory</i>

USNS Aiken Victory (T-AP-188) was a Victory ship-based troop transport that served with the United States Army Transport Service during both World War II and the Korean War. She was one of a class of 84 dedicated troop transports.

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

The SS Lincoln Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was built by the California Shipbuilding Company, launched on April 27, 1944 and completed on June 15, 1944. The ship’s United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3, hull number 13 (V13); she was initially operated by the Eastern SS Lines as a United States Merchant Marine ship.

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

The SS Cody Victory was a Victory ship (VC2-S-AP3) built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. The ship's keel was laid by the California Shipbuilding Company as hull number 69 on 26 October 1944 with launch on 12 December 1944. The ship was completed on 22 January 1945. On completion the ship, U.S. Official Number 247094, was delivered to the War Shipping Administration for operation by the Alcoa Steamship Company as agent.

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

The SS Claremont Victory was the 18th of 531 Victory ships built during World War II. She was built in the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard in 1944. She served during the Battle of Okinawa. After the war, she was owned by a number of merchant shipping companies in Argentina before being scrapped in 1978.

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

SS Hagerstown Victory was a Victory ship-based troop transport built for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps (USAT) late in World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It saw service in the European Theater of Operations during 1945 and in the immediate post-war period repatriating U.S. troops. Hagerstown Victory was one of 97 cargo Victory ships converted to a troopship.

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

SS Rushville Victory was a Victory ship-based troop transport built for the US Army Transportation Corps (USAT) late in World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It saw service in the European Theater of Operations in 1945, 1946 and in the immediate post-war period repatriating US troops.

SS <i>New Bern Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

SS New Bern Victory was a cargo Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. The New Bern Victory (MCV-639) was a type VC2-S-AP2 Victory ship built by Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyards. The Maritime Administration cargo ship was the 639 ship built. Her keel was laid on January 15, 1945. She was launched on March 8, 1945 and completed on March 31, 1945. The 10,600-ton ship was constructed for the Maritime Commission. The American Export Line and later the Isthmian Steamship Company operated her under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. Named for the city of New Bern, North Carolina.

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>Georgetown Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

SS Georgetown Victory was a Victory ship built for the War Shipping Administration late in World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was a type VC2-S-AP2/WSAT cargo ship with the United States Maritime Commission (MCV) -"Victory"; hull number 653, shipyard number 1597 and built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in Baltimore, Maryland, she was laid down on 8 March 1945. Georgetown Victory, named after Georgetown University, was launched from the Bethlehem-Fairfield shipyard at Baltimore on April 28, 1945 and completed on 22 May 1945.

SS <i>N. Y. U. Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

SS N. Y. U. Victory was a Type C2 Victory ship-based VC2-S-AP2 troop transport built for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps late in World War II. Launched in May 1945, it saw service in the European Theater of Operations in the immediate post-war period repatriating U.S. troops.

SS <i>Baylor Victory</i> American WWII Victory ship

The SS Baylor Victory was a cargo Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. The Baylor Victory (MCV-772) was a type VC2-S-AP2 Victory ship built by California Shipbuilding Corporation in Los Angeles, California. The Maritime Administration cargo ship was the 772rd ship built. Her keel was laid on Jan. 13, 1945. She was launched on March 6, 1945 and completed on March 30, 1945. The 10,600-ton ship was constructed for the Maritime Commission. She operated her under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. She was named for Baylor University, a private Christian university in Waco, Texas. At her launching Baylor University was represented by 18 graduates and friends. University President Pat M. Neff gave a short speech at the launching and christening ceremony. Los Angeles District Judge Minor L. Moore, a Baylor graduate of 1900, also spoke. Baylor Victory was launched at 1:20 a.m. and was lit up by large floodlights.

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

SS Swarthmore Victory (MCV-737) was a type VC2-S-AP2 Victory-class cargo ship built for the United States during World War II. The ship was built as part of the Emergency Shipbuilding program by Permanente Metals Corporation in Yard 2 of the Richmond Shipyards in Richmond, California. Named after Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. Caomplete on April 7, 1945 Swarthmore Victory delivered supplies for the Pacific War and was operated by the United States Lines.

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

SS India Victory was a Victory ship built and operated as a cargo carrier and troopship in World War II. After the war the ship was used a private cargo ship. She sank on 12 July 1972, ran aground on a Pratas Reef in the South China in Typhoon Susan.

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

The SS Wheaton Victory was a class of Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the California Shipbuilding Company on 22 March 1945. The ship was completed and delivered to the wartime operator of all United States oceangoing shipping, the War Shipping Administration (WSA), on 14 April 1945. Wheaton Victory was assigned to Marine Transport Line, under a standard WSA operating agreement at that time. That agreement continued until the ship's sale in 1947. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3, hull number 776. Wheaton Victory was converted from a cargo ship to a troopship to bring troops home after the war as part of Operation Magic Carpet.

References

  1. 1 2 3 CLAYMONT VICTORY Ship named for City of Claymont, Delaware Color Cacheted Cover
  2. Delaware Public Archives Ship launching image description
  3. 1 2 Vessel Status Card
  4. APPENDIX B: VICTORY TROOPSHIP CONVERSIONS Archived 2013-05-09 at the Wayback Machine Compiled from Roland W. Charles, Troopships of World War II (Washington, DC: The Army Transportation Association, 1947), Appendix E, pp. 356-357
  5. GODBOUT v. EASTERN STEAMSHIP LINES, Inc. "The United States, as the owner of the S.S. Claymont Victory, and the Eastern Steamship Lines, Inc., as operating agent"
  6. United States War Department (1944). FM 55-105. United States Department of War. p.  12 Section 14, Allocated Vessels, Diagrams following p. 64.
  7. Huntingdon Daily News September 01, 1945
  8. Pittsfield Berkshire Evening Eagle August 28, 1945 “The Pittsfield soldiers who arrived this morning at 8:30 at Commonwealth pier in Boston on the S.S. Claymont Victory are..."
  9. "1269th Engineer Combat Battalion History". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-06-16.