SS Hobbs Victory

Last updated
RedOakVictory-2013-07-20.jpg
Typical Victory ship
History
US flag 48 stars.svgUnited States
NameSS Hobbs Victory
Namesake Hobbs, New Mexico
OwnerWar Shipping Administration
Operator Sudden & Christenson
Builder Permanente Metals Yard No. 1, Richmond, California
Laid downNovember 10, 1944
LaunchedJanuary 9, 1945
CompletedJanuary 9, 1945
FateSank in battle April 6, 1945 Kerama Islands, Okinawa
General characteristics
Type Victory ship
Tonnage7,725  GRT
Length139 m (456 ft)
Beam18.9 m (62 ft)
Draft7 m (23 ft)
PropulsionWestinghouse steam turbines, single shaft, 8500 horsepower (6.3 MW)
Speed17.5 knots (32.4 km/h) maximum sustained, 21 knots (39 km/h) emergency
Range12,500  nmi (23,200 km; 14,400 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement
Armament
Notes [1]
SS Hobbs Victory on fire on April 6, 1945 off Kerama Islands, Okinawa 4 6 1945 sinking of hobbs.jpg
SS Hobbs Victory on fire on April 6, 1945 off Kerama Islands, Okinawa

SS Hobbs Victory was a cargo Victory ship built for World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. Hobbs Victory, was launched on January 9, 1945 by Permanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California and completed on January 9, 1945. She was built in just 87 days. She was operated by the Sudden & Christenson for the United States Maritime Commission. [2] [3]

Contents

Service history

SS Hobbs Victory steamed from San Francisco, California in 1945 to join the Pacific war, stopping at Ulithi Atoll on her way to Okinawa. Hobbs Victory had the job of delivering 6,000 pounds of ammunition for troops in the Pacific during World War II.

Okinawa, kamikaze strike

Hobbs Victory loaded with 6,000 pounds of ammunition and steamed to Okinawa for the Battle of Okinawa, from 1 to 6 April 1945. On April 6, 1945, she was anchored off Kuba Island, just off Tokashiki Island and Aka Island near Okinawa, part of Naval Base Okinawa. SS Logan Victory, that was near Hobbs Victory, also loaded with 6,000 pounds of ammunition, was hit and sunk by a kamikaze that struck her superstructure. Hobbs Victory steamed away from Logan Victory, at 15 knots. A second kamikaze struck Hobbs Victory at 6:50 pm, port side near #4 lifeboat on the boat deck. It spread flames that exploded the port boiler, stopping the engine. Some lifeboats were lowered into the sea and the order to abandon ship was given. Due to the flames, some jumped overboard into the sea.

Ammunition explodes in cargo hold

A US Navy fireboat fought the flames, but the next morning there was a large ammunition explosion in her cargo and she sank at 26°05′N125°14′E / 26.083°N 125.233°E / 26.083; 125.233 . In the plane attack and fire 12 of the crew were killed, 11 of the civilian crew and one armed guard. [4] The US Navy minesweeper USS Success rescued the survivors of Hobbs Victory and later transferred them to the attack transport USS Gosper. In an earlier attack off Kuba Island the Landing Ship, Tank USS LST-447 also sank. SS Pierre Victory was able to shoot down one plane and move away from the burning ships. All these ammunition ships: Hobbs Victory, Logan Victory, Pierre Victory and LST-447 were firing their deck guns and were able to stop some of the kamikaze planes attacking. The Victory ships used their 3"/50 caliber guns, 20 mm Oerlikon cannons, and at longer range, 5 inch guns. The LST also had 20 mm Oerlikon cannons to use against the attackers. These ships with over 18,000 pounds of ammunition were anchored off Kuba Island, so they would not be anchored next to the other fleet ships at Okinawa. They were called in as needed to resupply the fleet and shore troops with ammunition. SS Canada Victory also sank at Okinawa on April 27, 1945. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

The loss of the three Victory ships Logan Victory, Hobbs Victory and Canada Victory, each sunk by kamikaze attacks during the invasion of Okinawa, severely hurt the combat forces during the invasion of Okinawa. The Victory ships were carrying a total of 24,000 tons (54 million pounds) of ammunition. This including most of the 81 mm mortar shells needed for the invasion.

The ammunition ship SS Saginaw Victory arrived April 12, 1945 at Okinawa to replace the ammunition lost on Hobbs Victory, Logan Victory and Canada Victory. More ammunition ships were not needed, as the war came to an end without the invasion of Japan, called Operation Downfall. The other ammunition ship at Okinawa was the SS Berea Victory. [15] Hobbs Victory was one of forty-seven ships sunk by kamikaze attack during World War II. [16] [17]

Honors

Crew of naval armed guard on SS Hobbs Victory earned "Battle Stars" in World War II for war action during the assault occupation of Okinawa on 6 April 1945. She used her deck guns to defend herself and other ships. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attack transport</span> United States Navy ship classification

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USS <i>Rutland</i>

USS Rutland (APA-192) was a Haskell-class attack transport built and used by the US Navy in World War II. She was a Victory ship design, VC2-S-AP5. She was named after Rutland County, Vermont, USA.

USS <i>PC-598</i>

The USS PC-598 was a 173ft metal hulled PC-461-class submarine chaser in the United States Navy. The submarine chaser fought in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, and was converted to an amphibious landing control vessel during the war, reclassified as a Patrol Craft-Control (PCC). It participated in six amphibious invasions as a control vessel during the war.

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

The SS United Victory was the first of 531 Victory ships built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation on 12 January 1944, completed on 28 February 1944, and had her maiden voyage a month later. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3, hull number 85. The Maritime Commission turned her over to a civilian contractor, the American President Lines, for operation until the end of hostilities.

The SS Clovis Victory was the thirty-second Victory ship built during World War II, in 156 days under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the California Shipbuilding Company on June 13, 1944 and completed on August 31, 1944. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2- S- AP3, hull number 27, operated by Seas Shipping Company. SS Clovis Victory served in the Pacific Ocean. Victory ships were designed to replace the earlier Liberty ships. Liberty ships were designed to be used just for WW2. Victory ships were designed to last longer and serve the US Navy after the war. The Victory ship differed from a Liberty ship in that they were: faster, longer and wider, taller, had a thinner stack set farther toward the superstructure, and had a long raised forecastle. The sponsor of the Clovis Victory was the wife of the 200th Coast Artillery's Henry Max Miller of Clovis, New Mexico. Major Miller was lost in the sinking of the SS Shinyō Maru on September 7, 1944.

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

The SS Canada Victory was one of 531 Victory ships built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation on January 12, 1944, and was completed on February 28, 1944. The ship’s United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3, hull number 93 (1009). The Maritime Commission turned her over to a civilian contractor, the Alaska SS Company, for operation.

SS <i>Logan Victory</i> Cargo ship

SS Logan Victory was a cargo Victory ship built for World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. The Logan Victory was launched January 16, 1945, by Permanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California and completed on February 6, 1945. She was operated by the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company under the United States Maritime Commission.

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

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SS <i>Elmira Victory</i> Victory ship of World War II

SS Elmira Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It was built and launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation on May 12, 1944 and completed on May 31, 1944. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 and hull number 105 (1021). The ship was Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation's 21st victory ship. The Maritime Commission turned it over for Merchant navy operation to a civilian contractor, the Isthmian Steamship Company under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. She was named after the city of Elmira, New York.

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

The SS Minot Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was laid down and launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, and completed on February 1, 1945. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 and hull number 149 (1203). The Maritime Commission turned it over for merchant navy operation to a civilian contractor, the Isthmian Steamship Company under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. She was named after Minot, Maine and Minot, North Dakota.

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

SS Bozeman Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It was built and launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation on December 9, 1944 and completed on February 17, 1945. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 and hull number 151 (1205). She was built in just 106 days. The Maritime Commission turned it over for Merchant navy operation to a civilian contractor, the Alaska SS Company under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. She was named after the city of Bozeman, Montana.

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

SS Cuba Victory was built and operated as Victory ship class cargo ship which operated as a cargo carrier in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War.

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

The SS Berea Victory (MCV-734) 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. Launched on 3 March 1945, the Berea Victory delivered supplies for the Pacific War.

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.

SS <i>Lewis L. Dyche</i> World War II Liberty ship of the United States

SS Lewis L. Dyche was a Liberty ship built by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation for the United States Maritime Commission during World War II. The ship was named in honor of Lewis Lindsay Dyche. Lewis Lindsay Dyche (1857–1915) was an American naturalist and also the creator of the Panorama of North American Plants and Animals, which was featured in the Kansas Pavilion at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. The ship was assigned by the War Shipping Administration, she operated by Interocean Steamship Company of San Francisco during World War II. Lewis L. Dyche was laid down on 6 November 1943, launched on 26 November 1943 and completed on 9 December 1943, with the hull No. 807 as part of the Emergency Shipbuilding Program, built is 38 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World War II United States Merchant Navy</span> Fleet of merchant vessels that took part of World War II for the United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Base Okinawa</span> Major World War 2 base

Naval Base Okinawa, now Naval Facility Okinawa, is a number of bases built after the Battle of Okinawa by United States Navy on the Okinawa Island of Japan. The naval bases were built to support the landings on Okinawa on April 1, 1945, and the troops fighting on Okinawa. The Navy repaired and did expansion of the airfields on Okinawa. United States Navy Seabees built or repaired the facilities on the island. The bases on Okinawa put the United States Armed Forces only 350 miles from Japan's home islands. Most facilities closed after the war, but some are still in use today in all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

References

  1. Babcock & Wilcox (April 1944). "Victory Ships". Marine Engineering and Shipping Review.
  2. MARINERS THE WEBSITE OF THE MARINERS MAILING LIST
  3. National Parks, Victory ships
  4. Chronological List of U.S. Ships Sunk or Damaged during 1945, Ships sunk or damaged during 1945 -- 182 ships
  5. SS Hobbs Victory
  6. Merchant Marine Survivors of World War II: Oral Histories of Cargo Carrying, By Michael Gillen, page 118
  7. usmm.org, Battle Pacific
  8. The American Victory
  9. Braving the Wartime Seas, By The American Maritime History Project, page 218
  10. MARINERS, THE WEBSITE OF THE MARINERS MAILING LIST
  11. www.hobbshistory.com
  12. Wreck site Hobbs
  13. railsoft, Hobbs Victory
  14. A Cargo Doomed to Boom, by John Laughton
  15. US Navy, Armed Guard Service
  16. "kamikaze Attackes". Archived from the original on 2010-07-02. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  17. "47 Ships Sunk by Kamikaze Aircraft". Archived from the original on 2010-07-02. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  18. "Battle Stars" in World War II.

Sources